Albert Einstein reportedly said, “Insanity is doing the same thing over and over again and expecting different results.” I’d love to know who heard the genius say this and what exactly spurred the revelatory statement, but that’s beside the point. It’s currently serving as my “get your butt in gear” motto on a handful of fronts.
Let me explain.
In recent months, I’ve had a series of issues that left me frustrated with different aspects of myself. For example, why do I cower down and pansy out when I need to be speaking up and serving as my own advocate? (Self-confidence?) Why do I dress in crapped-out jeans, tank top and flip-flops if I really want to be treated like the professional 33-year-old that I am? (Self-image and/or self-worth?) Why am I so reclusive and how am I ever going to meet new friends, let alone my future baby daddy?(Self-esteem and social skills?)
These questions, undoubtedly intertwined, reared their heads around the same time and led to some real reflection– without question, one of my strengths. It took some time, but suddenly, in one of those lucid pre-dawn states I often have just before committing to the day by putting my foot on the floor, I had an insightful and fun thought: What if I made this my summer project? What if I figured out different ways to 1) learn about my issues, 2) confront and hurdle them and then 3) put my newfound skills and knowledge into practice? The next step of turning it into a writing project — well, that was never really a question.
And from that innocent and clear-headed thought came this series, which I’ve dubbed “Be the Change.” Because inevitably it’s up to me to face these hiccups head on and make something different happen. Rather than passively waiting for life to somehow become what I’d like it to be, I’ve decided I’m gonna put forth some effort. Novel idea, right?
Next Installment: Part I: Online dating, a.k.a. Getting over myself and getting out there.
