Excerpts from G. Ann Wilkerson UC Columnist Let’s Stop Faking-We All Make Mistakes
Like most women, I create and get myself into some really messy situations. I believe that it is my right and privilege to make mistakes, to fall down and to get back up, and that this is a natural and essential part of the growth process. I date and love the wrong men, spend money that I should save, eat junk food when I should be exercising and spend excess time dreaming when I should be doing. My imperfections are flaws, ones that I am not proud of but, in the end, they make me human.
Apparently, we are all highly educated, financially secure, impeccably dressed, successful, strong (but ladylike) women that don’t need men. I get it, we need to carry ourselves in a manner that counters the images reality TV and rap videos depict. But, is there no middle ground? Even I, a self-proclaimed poster-girl for introspection and self-improvement, have my weak moments. I doubt myself. I go against my own advice and I even backslide into bad habits. And, despite popular rhetoric, I know I am not alone.
I almost always experience a twinge of inferiority because “everyone” in the room is doing so much better than I am. I’m floored by the level of success they’ve seemed to acquire while I apparently was twiddling my thumbs and trying to figure it all out. These people are real. And real people have real experiences and real experiences include failures, defeats and mistakes. They are no different or better than me. They are just on the other side of failure (i.e. success)... and I too will get there.
We all can and will make it there. But, first, we need to drop the pretenses, be honest with ourselves, and assert our rights to make mistakes. I believe in living a positive life and speaking positivity into existence. I believe in my dreams and abilities and celebrate my successes (large and small). I surround myself with people that support and encourage me and I do the same for them. I also understand that this confidence must be accompanied by hard work and that the tasks before me are lofty. But, that does not slow me down. I am a work in progress. My path is not yours or anyone else’s path. It will include bumps - some that I will create but hopefully, not too many. But, this is a part of my plan. And you have one too.In closing, I say don’t be afraid to soar. Don’t be afraid to crash and don’t be ashamed of your path. Live and learn and you will get there.
http://www.urbancusp.com/newspost/lets-stop-faking-we-all-make-mistakes/
Submitted by: Ariel Flaggs
Apparently, we are all highly educated, financially secure, impeccably dressed, successful, strong (but ladylike) women that don’t need men. I get it, we need to carry ourselves in a manner that counters the images reality TV and rap videos depict. But, is there no middle ground? Even I, a self-proclaimed poster-girl for introspection and self-improvement, have my weak moments. I doubt myself. I go against my own advice and I even backslide into bad habits. And, despite popular rhetoric, I know I am not alone.
I almost always experience a twinge of inferiority because “everyone” in the room is doing so much better than I am. I’m floored by the level of success they’ve seemed to acquire while I apparently was twiddling my thumbs and trying to figure it all out. These people are real. And real people have real experiences and real experiences include failures, defeats and mistakes. They are no different or better than me. They are just on the other side of failure (i.e. success)... and I too will get there.
We all can and will make it there. But, first, we need to drop the pretenses, be honest with ourselves, and assert our rights to make mistakes. I believe in living a positive life and speaking positivity into existence. I believe in my dreams and abilities and celebrate my successes (large and small). I surround myself with people that support and encourage me and I do the same for them. I also understand that this confidence must be accompanied by hard work and that the tasks before me are lofty. But, that does not slow me down. I am a work in progress. My path is not yours or anyone else’s path. It will include bumps - some that I will create but hopefully, not too many. But, this is a part of my plan. And you have one too.In closing, I say don’t be afraid to soar. Don’t be afraid to crash and don’t be ashamed of your path. Live and learn and you will get there.
http://www.urbancusp.com/newspost/lets-stop-faking-we-all-make-mistakes/
Submitted by: Ariel Flaggs