We are not all meant to be racehorses. We are not all meant to do things the same way. If we were all racehorses there would be no dolphins or peacocks. Judging ourselves by the same measurement doesn’t make sense.  Our differences don’t make anyone better or worse than the other person. We cannot make excuses for our position, however. If you have a goal to win the race but are not a racehorse, you best make sure that your piggy body is speedy.  You can’t change that you are a pig, but you can adjust your goals and work hard to achieve them. Make sure you enter the right race for YOU and then do your very best with what you’ve been given. Excuses won’t result in achievements, but at the same time expecting yourself to run a race that is not meant for you doesn’t either.  And did I mention that there are lots of things that pigs can do those racehorses cannot?

Celebrating the achievements of someone else raises the water for all of the boats in the harbor. Celebrate the awesome of others in a way that you would want them to celebrate your own awesome when it comes time to do so.  Celebrate your own awesome, too. Give yourself permission to be where you are in life, so that you can make a plan to get to the next level. Don’t lament not being “there” yet. It isn’t your time yet, sis. Plan your next best step and get moving. You may be a pig instead of a racehorse, but you are one fast pig. You can do this.

When I first heard this quote, it put me on my heels for a minute.  What do you mean that we are responsible when we are disobedient? Upon reflection, I agree with the spirit this was used for in the context where it was applied. We are responsible parents when we are forced to think for ourselves. When we have to go with our gut even when it is against the advice of our own parents, teachers, or another respected opinion, we are truly taking responsibility for our kiddos.  This actually applies for anything in our lives. The opinions of others carry lots of weight. When we deviate from the approval of those opinions, we stand on our own.  On the flip side, sometimes it’s not easy as a parent to have our children become responsible for their own actions. When we give our opinion and they decide to go their own way regardless, it can be frustrating to watch. In some cases though, the child is right, and the result is even better than our advice would have garnered. Being an adult is hard. Stepping out on your own opinions is hard. When was there a time that you stepped away from popular opinion to go your own way that ended up being one of the best calls you’ve ever made?

We need YOU out here. You. With all the good and bad and helpful and not helpful that comes with you.  We need your gifts. We need your humor. We need your talent. We need your listening ears. We need YOU.  So take care of you, ok? Being selfless in life in order to support others doesn’t work because then we lose YOU. Take the time to fill your cup before your pour out for others, so that you have that much more to give. If you’ve given all that you can give, take the time to reevaluate and build yourself back up.  It’s important. We. Need. You.

I have always loved reading stories loosely based on history. I’ve always been fascinated reading stories that gave me a glimpse into the trials, tribulations, and outcomes of the past. In the past five years, I’ve taken a special interest in books set in both WW2 and the Holocaust.  The list of links below provide the names of books in this category that I found to be well worth the time I spent reading them. If you have a book that I should read and add to this list, please contact me and let me know!

Alan Gratz books (for myself and the kids).

*Civil War