Differences.

I noticed something yesterday. When my kid's school goes on a field trip the kids ride a bus and the parents follow. Now, the ratio of parents to kids on a field trip is pretty much one to one so there are alot of cars that go with the caravan. As I was watching the motorcade pull out of the parking lot I mused about one thing. How strange we must look going down the highway. You know how the government uses the big black SUVs? Well, that would be this only there is a school bus involved. Kind of looks like the kids are being protected by the secret service. Well, the kids and a few minivans are being protected by the secret service.

5 years ago when my son started at this school I noticed right off that there was a large majority of the moms that look alot alike. They are slim. They like tennis. They are fashionistas. Now, I am not slim, I couldn't hit a tennis ball if my life depended on it and the closest I get to being a fashionista is shopping at TJMaxx. I worried that I had chosen the wrong school. I worried that these people wouldn't like me. I worried that I didn't fit it. I wondered how on earth I had landed smack dab back in the insecurities of middle school but I still had the body of an almost 40 year old...bummer. I was in quite a tizzy until one day another mom asked me to lunch. We chatted while our boys played and she asked me how I was liking the school. I was honest with her I figured what did I have to lose. She laughed, and what she told me next has stuck with me and I tell others even still today. It also applies to anywhere so listen up.

She told me that I would find all kinds of people at the school. She said that yes, there were some women there that were rude and self centered but there were many more that were not. Mom's that were there for the very same reason I was. She said you just don't see them as much because they are the behind the scenes type mom's that don't need the whole world to see them and praise them for what they have done. She said that I would be surprised just how many people I would meet that I felt like I could connect to . I have to say that back then I was thinking WRONG!!! I will say now how very right she was. It doesn't have anything to do with what you look like or how you dress. You have just got to turn on your inner beauty light. I will say that when I started I thought the ratio of mean people to nice people had to be crazy off but in all actuality there are very few if any people that are rude and mean. Most are just livin' la vida loca just like me and it is all they can do to get their kids to school on time in the morning.

Anywhere you go you are going to run into people that are not like you. People that don't like you for no good reason. People that are better at some things than you. People that look better than you. Even if you see a person that is so gorgeous and put together they can't possibly be real that person still has insecurities. Do not walk into a situation and put up your guard before someone has even said their first word. You have no clue and if you clam up before they get to know you it is going to be one wicked circle of insecurity and discontent and that can't be good.

So, how do we fix this? Well, first up stop being so judgemental. When you walk into a situation don't automatically assume that everyone hates you because they don't look like you. Don't get me wrong. I went to a birthday party this weekend that was a real toughy. The moms all looked alike and were talking in a closed circle. What did I do? At first I got that icky feeling, the hyperdefensive, why on earth did I forget my cellphone get me out of here feeling. Then I looked around. There were several other moms playing the wall flower and I went over to one and introduced myself. I met some really nice moms and had a nice time.

Now, don't get me wrong there is always going to be a situation where people are rude and mean. People are rude and mean they just are, but you don't have to be. Your life is what you make it. If you want to feel icky and mad all the time then by all means do that but please stay in your room. Don't go out in public because that is a disease and I personally don't want it spreading around. Realize that the world does not revolve around you, everyone does not hate you and find someone that you can make smile. Otherwise call in mean. It is perfectly acceptable I promise. Yes, boss? I'm mean today I can't come in. I guarantee you they will gladly give you the day off!

Go out there, smile! Enjoy something about today. You aren't going to live forever you know and if you waste a whole lot of days with a chip on your shoulder the only person you are hurting is yourself.

I'm just sayin.