So this Obama might be onto something. Apparently it's easier to live in hope than in fear, so why not? I'll give it a go if you will.

Another dude who did this was pretty well was Martin Luther King. Sure, he ended up with a bullet in his head, but how would you rather live? Like a boring robot until you're 101 or a fearless warrior who chooses spirit over the judgment of others, and even more detrimental, your own mental floggings?

An overachiever by nature, this is my year to forgive myself for anything seen and unseen from my past, do my best, laugh a little, enjoy my kids, my marriage and get comfortable in my own skin - warts and all.

Sure, I've always been myself, but I could go without the teeny bit of second guessing. Questioning the third margarita or bucket of Pink and White Animal Cookies? Good second guessing. Whether or not I should feel bad about not dealing with someone who is toxic? Bad second guessing. It's okay not to befriend the world.

It is for selfish, and yet unselfish reasons, I choose to focus on myself. In being strong within, I am the best mother to my children, wife to my husband, friend and daughter.

In closing, here is a small conversation I had with Stink and Pip on the way to church Sunday.

Me: "Tomorrow is Martin Luther King Day. He was a man---"

Stink: (Know it all sigh) We know, Mama.

Me: Oh, really? Who was he?

Stink: He was brown.

Pip: Like Barook LaBamba!

Stink: Yeah. And he told people to be nice. And he spoke to crowds. Then he got dead.

Me: Not good. Not good at all. I can read you stories about him if you'd like - to show that even in death a good heart remains alive.

Pip: Okay! Is that on a website?

Me: Sure, I can find lots of stories on websites about Martin Luther King.

Stink: And video games also?

I wasn't sure what to think about that last comment. But I laughed.

And I'm not second guessing my reaction.

More of my writing can be found daily at BabyCenter and Good Housekeeping.

 


Comments

phd in yogurtry link
01/20/2009 19:28

Barook LaBamba! That is too much. I love it.

I so agree about living in hope as the preferred option. And hooray to you on your quest for a stronger more confident self. I'd like to join you!

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Daria link
01/20/2009 20:16

My smart boy kept saying John Luther King Jr. and was fixated that he got shot and died. But hey, they got to watch the history live today - their new history for their generation - and that's pretty cool. And, I agree, it's nice to feel hope for a change. Hope can be the beginning of many good things.

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His Girl Amber link
01/21/2009 07:19

hahaha. you should never, ever regret enjoying your kids, laughing when they are funny, and chatting with them. it's what keeps us alive :)

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gretchen link
01/21/2009 08:14

Barook LaBamba...Isn't he the East Indian twin-separated-at-birth of our new president?

A-dorable.

And...I think your priorities are tops.

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Dapoppins link
01/27/2009 10:48

I don't know that Pres. O can be funny. I heard him try once, and that was when someone else wrote the material....I'm gonna hope for the best and expect the worst...just like I always do.

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ramblin' red link
01/30/2009 13:16

I just LOVE Barook LaBamba - that cracks me up!!! So much cuter that the "Rock Obama" that Punkinhead spouts incessantly (he has this love affair going with our new prez, much to my husband's distaste - I say woohoo!).

Love living in hope vs. fear - doesn't that sound oddly familiar? (i.e. "Faith, Hope, Love...." "God did not give you a spirit of fear....")

And as always have to give you props for recognizing that the bad second-guessing is for the birds - and I love the laugh at the video games comment - we have that mentality in one little boy here too.

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Stacey link
02/03/2009 13:03

Thank you for leaving the comment on my blog. I wouldn't mind at all if you linked, that would be great! I've noticed a lot of these restaurants are very receptive to other diet restrictions as well.

Regarding the McDonald's french fries - My husband does not eat them because they make him sick. Potatoes are fine but there could be cross contact if they fry other things in the same oil that are coated in flour. There was something circulating the said McDonald's coats their fries with wheat to keep them crispy. Some restaurants have "dedicated" fryers that are just for french fries.

By the way, your children are adorable!

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