Caring Too Much vs. Not Caring At All: Striking the Balance
January 2nd, 2012 § Leave a Comment
Recently, I figured out that I’m hyper aware…of everything. It’s just the way I am. Friends, family, and certainly roommates could attest that I’ve driven them crazy at times with bouts of near-OCD. It could be something as simple as making sure that things are aligned just how I like them or that all of the kitchen cabinets are closed. [No, I don't actually have OCD.]
In the past few months I’ve realized why I’m like that: I’m just really aware of everything around me. So much so, that when something is out of place, it’s all I can think about. My solution in the past? Fix it and everything’s better.
Here’s the problem: it’s exhausting. In an effort to make things perfect, I’ve even driven myself close to being forever uptight.
Then again, being so aware of everything around me certainly proves beneficial at times; those times when someone gets just a little too close to a delicate wine glass, or a candle is dangerously close to a stack of napkins.
I had a really great conversation with one of my best friends about this just last night. She told me how she’d kill to be so aware of everything. As with many things in life, the grass is always greener on the other side.
But what I realize I need is balance. Balance between being hyper aware and being unaware. Balance between caring about everything around me so much and not caring at all.
So how do you strike the balance?
My solution? Be aware of the things that really matter. So maybe a light gets forgotten and left on for a few extra minutes before someone realizes it’s on? What’s the harm? A few extra cents on the ol’ electric bill? No biggie.
By saving the worrying for important things and letting go of the little ones, I’ve noticed that I am an all-around calmer and happier person.
So which are you? The one that needs to care a little more? Or a little less? Or have you already gotten the balance figured out? 
A Quarter of a Century
October 24th, 2011 § 2 Comments
Today I turned 25 years old.
I’d like to think I’m 25% smarter, 25% wittier, 25% cooler than 25 years ago. And you know the great part? Every day that number grows.
Out of everyone I know, I’m one of the few that enjoys getting older. I genuinely love it.
Here’s to the next 25. Cheers!
How to Know When You’re a Friend, Love, or in Love
August 24th, 2011 § 3 Comments
It seems silly…
but I came up with a golden rule a while back. It helps you figure out whether you’re in love, lust, or friendship. It may seem a teeny bit morbid, so bear with me.
Let’s say this person were to die.
If you like the person…you’d go to their funeral.
If you love the person…you’d cry at the funeral.
If you’re in love with the person…you’d die at the funeral.
So if you’re ever confused about how you feel for someone, try that simple test. It may be morbid, but it definitely works.
3 Things Coaching College Cheerleading Has Taught Me
May 1st, 2011 § Leave a Comment
Those that know me professionally always seem to be shocked that I’m a cheerleading coach. Perhaps it’s because I’m not as blonde as I once was. Who knows.
I’ve been coaching for two years now – my first year, I was the Assistant coach and this past year, I was the head coach – at St. Joseph’s College of Maine.
Coaching, in general, teaches the coach just as much as the kids. At least, being on both sides, that’s what I’ve found. That said, there are 3 huge lessons I’ve learned by coaching.
1. You can still be yourself.
It was hard going from being on the team – even as a leader – to coaching the squad. I had to learn when to be tough and when to have fun with the girls. I think after two years I finally found the balance, but when I first started, I wasn’t myself. I was uptight, and didn’t feel comfortable joking with the team.
I’m goofy, it’s just how I am, so this year I think I was finally able to let the girls see that – at least a glimmer of it. But it’s really a life lesson, you see, because it’s like a lot of things in life: you need to stay true to who you are, no matter what.
2. You have to roll with the punches.
I used to be an uptight person. I still have some OCD in me, but a few years ago, I was admittedly even more uptight. I’ve learned – in thanks to those I’ve coached – that sometimes you just have to roll with things that life throws at you.
Whether it’s a girl who simply can’t be on the team anymore for completely legitimate reasons or another dramatic moment, rolling with life’s little moments and not letting them phase you can make all the difference.
3. At the end of the day, people can still surprise you.
As far as I’m concerned, I can read most people like a book: I can tell what type of person someone is moments after meeting them, and what level of drive they have in life after 10 minutes.
My cheerleaders may have their quirks, their bad days, but there will always be those moments that take my breath away.
This year, that moment came during competition. The girls didn’t have an overly wonderful attitude heading into competition – and it’s a long story as to why – but it all changed after they performed and I’ve never been so proud. Not only did they nail their routine, but they had awesome attitudes and were so pumped up for the following day when they could perform again.
5 Cliché Sayings that are Entirely True
February 26th, 2010 § Leave a Comment
1. Don’t cry over spilt milk.
2. The grass is always greener on the other side.
3. What is meant to be will be.
4. Don’t judge a man until you’ve walked a mile in his shoes.
5. Plan for the worst, hope for the best.
