It is incredibly hard to turn a deaf ear to the naysayers of the world. No matter how thick our skin is or how confident we are, there will always be that ounce of negativity that feels like it is shredding every bit of our confidence. It aggravates me so much that words and actions have such an impact in a negative way. The effort and good intentions we put forth in our lives are often under scrutiny for one reason or another, and the person dishing out the criticism truly has no reason to put our actions on trial. Growing up, people would give the pep talk saying, “sticks and stones may break my bones, but words will never hurt me.” Well, the truth of the matter, words hurt, and they hurt harshly. Words have a lasting effect and the repeated echo in the mind begins to play a role in maintaining confidence. I would like to think I am a positive and confident person. Not much bothers me when it comes to personality clashes or differences of opinions, but on those occasions when my integrity and character is under attack when I know deep down in my heart I had the best of intentions in those situations, that is when it bothers me. I know it should not, but that is when my vulnerable sensitivities begin to show through. Attacking someone’s character is a low hit, and it surely does not make any situation better by doing so. It truly is not anyone’s place to speculate personal intentions, so moving forward my thought process is to take this approach. I am taking Eleanor Roosevelt’s words of wisdom to heart. If things are said or actions are done with good intentions and for the right reasons, then nothing should shred the positivity. Tearing someone down for doing something good only comes back to reflect the other person; it has no direct impact on the person being criticized. No matter how hard we try, there may always be that one person who has something negative to say. I am going to be more mindful of this, and take the high road in these situations, because, at the end of the day, I know my heart, and the heart knows. Stay Curious, Kayla ©Inquisitive Perspectives 2016
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Fear is a four-letter word that stands in the way of many things. I know this firsthand. I would let fear stand between me and trying new things for years. Last year, I feel like I broke out of my shell, and now I am a thrill-seeking, adventure-loving person. I am more inclined to trying new things and going out on a limb, beyond my comfort zone. Those fears I had kept me from discovering what the world has to offer and who I could be. Having fears was my crutch and excuse for staying out of danger’s way. Not that I thought I was going to be in tremendous danger, I was simply content living in my dull world. My idea of a good time was (and still is to some degree) staying in, curling up with a Tatiana de Rosnay book, and reading it from cover to cover. Now, when the opportunity presents itself, I am more open to doing something spontaneous. My big year of realization was 2015. Many great things happened that year, and it was only the beginning of my adventurous discoveries. I conquered fears I did not even know I had, but I am ready to keep on this path. Nothing quite says facing fears like climbing a mountain or saddling up a horse and riding it. It makes me excited to think about facing a fear that attempts to stand in my way and stopping it in its tracks. Had it not been for the gentle nudge to go against my close-minded judgment, I would not have the courage to voluntarily do adventurous things like hiking in the great outdoors with the potential of meeting bears or parasailing on probably the coldest summer day. Those thrills were absolutely amazing, and I shut my fears down to live and enjoy life. The idea of facing fear and conquering the fear seems easy in theory, but sometimes it is not as simple as I just made it be. Some fears will take more than coaxing or peer pressure to overcome. It may not happen with the snap of a finger or blink of an eye; it is mind over matter. Do not let your mind devour your soul and the possibilities it desires. When we think too much and validate our fears, it builds a barrier between never knowing and only dreaming. We only have a limited time to live, so there is no time for fear. Stay Curious, Kayla ©Inquisitive Perspectives 2016 Every day is a gift. Some days may feel like a bad pink elephant gift, while others feel like the long-awaited birthday gift we have been eyeing for a while. Regardless of the feeling felt about receiving a gift, gratefulness and appreciation should be shown. It can be hard to always look for the positive aspects of every day. Now, more than ever, we must find strength and courage to do what is right, even when it is not popular. We hold the power to make an impact, and with each day, we should be called to make the most of them to do the best we can. The ideal society may only be that of a dream, but we can certainly do our part in working together to move towards such a society. It is empowering to know that change starts from within each and every one of us. With the sunrise, we are provided the renewed opportunity to make a difference. Nothing about this is promised or proven to be easy, but anything is possible if we encourage each other and believe that this change could go down in history. So, the moral of the story is put the strength and courage from the depths of your soul behind every thought you think. This power behind our thoughts will be what gets us through our days as we maneuver in the newness. Stay Curious, Kayla ©Inquisitive Perspectives 2016 Individual [in-duh-vij-oo-uhl] – noun; a distinct, indivisible entity. By definition, being an individual seems like a relatively easy feat or task to accomplish. Today’s world endorses norms and pressures assimilation. It does not need to be like that. Why are we so willing to meet societal standards before meeting our own? That seems backwards to me. There is no need to feel out of style or different just because unrealistic standards are the focal point for fitting in. There is not right or wrong answer for becoming the person you want to become. It is hard growing up in a society where Hollywood is dictating trends by setting to bar, and where the Joneses have been replaced by the Kardashians. Personal morals have been exchanged for society’s expectations. We owe it to ourselves to create the person we want to become. It is up to us to determine what we will say and do. There is no one who can do that for us. I think living in the public spotlight made Eleanor Roosevelt’s quote that much more powerful. She was living in one of the top female positions in our country and had all eyes on her, but she managed to do the things that meant the most to her, amidst the public pressures placed on her. If Eleanor Roosevelt could manage to find herself and stay true to herself, all while fulfilling the duties as First Lady of the United States during the Great Depression, I think we can all manage to do the same, living our ordinary lives. Forget the pressures to fit in: stand out, be free, live life. There is nothing stopping you and me from being our best by doing the things we love, regardless of anyone else’s beliefs. Set your goals high, live by morals, and be you. It is simply an individual’s obligation. Stay Curious, Kayla ©Inquisitive Perspectives 2016 |
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