True to Myself

life has come a long way since yesterday I say
and its not the same old thing over again I say
just do what you feel and don't you fool yourself I say
cause I can't make you happy unless I am I say I say I

got to be true to myself got to be true to myself...

day in day out I've asked many questions I say
only to find the truth it never changes I say
if you don't deal with it it keeps killing you a little by little I say
call me selfish if you will my life I alone can live I say I say I

got to be true to myself got to be true to myself…


-"True to Myself" by Ziggy Marley

Don't ask me why, but I've spend a lot of time lately reflecting on those quirky items about myself that truly make me Jen.  Maybe it's a long cold spring that leaves me idle from digging in the dirt.  But random thoughts keep popping into my consciousness telling me "that's something that you love to do" or questioning "why do I enjoy that?"  And finally I'm taking the space and the time to acknowledge at least a handful.


1) I love bounding upstairs 2 steps at a time.  Always have done it. I will be extremely sad when arthritis or age prevent me from doing so.
2) I love sitting on the floor instead of the couch; a trait that drove my mother bananas.
3) I am growing up by growing out of perfectionism.  I like the mellow(er) Jen.  Ultimately I think grad school and surviving the Willis merger beat the old me to the next hemisphere.
4) I finally admitted to myself that I'm artistic.  I knew that I was when I was a dancer, but I'm talking about using some medium to create something beautiful.  
5) I believe in the comment that you cannot love someone else until you love yourself. It's hard, but completely worth the journey.
6) I have a constant need to learn. I live for the challenge of stretching my skills and stretching the definition of who I am.  I bet that you'll see me in culinary school some day. I can just feel it.
7) I love my friends.  They are precious, supportive, loving, funny, deep, creative, & unique.
8) I love my family.  And I am so grateful that my in-laws are amazing, caring people.
9) I underestimated the love that you have for your children.  It's amazing.  A tsunami that reshapes your heart and soul.
10) I am a coffee snob. 
11) I believe in the power of smiling.
12) Getting muddy, jumping in puddles, and making snow angels never gets old.
13) I believe that you're a Christian regardless if you attend church every Sunday or at all. I wish the older people at our church would "get" that concept.
14) I am more than blessed to have a man that loves me for all the good and the bad and the feisty.
15) I deeply enjoy crafting for my friends.  Making unique gifts (and losing sleep as a result) is an outpouring of my love and appreciation.
16) I love to dance like nobody is in the room.
17) I hate my feet, but I am forever grateful to them.  I apologize to them daily for enduring 10 years of point shoes, but they have never failed me in any physical endeavor.  Ever.
18) I love gardening.  It's my cocktail.  I find my center,my zen while designing and installing beds, moving perennials, and pruning. 
19) I AM thanks to an amazing mother who gave me a healthy dose of love, structure, & creative freedom.  She is responsible for shaping the core of me. 
20) Tomorrow is always a new day. And another opportunity to love, forgive, share, care, and learn.


So have you ever thought of what unique traits and beliefs that makes you YOU?  Put pen to paper for a real challenge.  If you want, give me at least 5 thoughts about yourself. And remember, be true to yourself.