Walking Your Own Path

Several months ago I was interviewed by Hat Trick Magazine and featured on the cover of their October 2012 issue.
At first I was so excited to be asked to speak about my path on the way to Posh Brats.

I was honest....painfully honest.....about everything. I didn't want to be another one of those interviews that sugar coated everything like the stars had all alined and golden angels had come down in heavenly chorus and sprinkled pink glittery wishing dust over my life......because that would be a LIE!

Instead, I told the truth about how I got here...how much of this was being in the right place at the right time with a nose for what people want.
It's VERY long hours....most of the time around 14 to 16 per day, 7 days a week. It's about going months without taking a whole day off where you do nothing business related.....but THAT isn't what my point here is.

When that issue came out I excitedly shared it with my friends and family and those closest to me applauded the honesty and thought it was fabulous.....BUT...then there were the others.

I got SO many angry and upset e-mails from folks back home. They felt I showed my roots in a bad light and made them all sound like a bunch of ignorant rednecks because I did not wish to live their lives. It hurt and upset me that I was so harshly criticized for telling MY truth....not theirs....MINE!
I felt like saying.... Just because you choose to marry Bubba Redneck and have a passel of kids and a big ole pickup truck doesn't mean that also has to be MY life.
Sorry.....this little Point Cadet girl from Biloxi, Mississippi has ALWAYS wanted a different path. It doesn't make your path wrong and mine right....just different. That's why we are unique individuals.

The way they acted, you'd have thought I was saying they were all like this. *smirk*
Nothing could be further from the truth. Most Southern folks are as sweet as their iced tea and as gracious, kind, and loving as anyone I've ever met in my world travels. You cannot find better people....even if some of them are a BIT sensitive and disapproving of those of us who choose to escape for a reason, a season, or a lifetime.

 

Needless to say I pulled my britches up and got on with my groove on down the yellow brick road of MY destiny!

So, if you find yourself coming against criticism for the life you lead or choices you have or haven't made, this is for you!

Some Life Truths

Unless you are going through life kicking puppies, spreading disease, starting forest fires, murdering innocents, etc.

If you are walking YOUR own path and being true to YOU then guess what?? You ARE doing it right!!

It doesn't matter if it's not the vision someone else has for you, no matter HOW well intentioned they are.

"This above all: to thine own self be true,
And it must follow, as the night the day,
Thou canst not then be false to any man.
Farewell, my blessing season this in thee!"

Hamlet Act 1, scene 3, 78–82

Wm. Shakespeare

  The basic wisdom of life is that you can only be yourself - you cannot be someone else. Why on earth would you want to be? What you are is so unique and so fabulous and there is only one of you. You might look just like your Mum, Dad, or Great Aunt....but.....you are uniquely YOU!

The only chance you have is to be the best version of yourself that is possible. Since you cannot be someone else, you need to make the best of what is possible in your life. 

In order to become the best version of yourself, your task is to find out who you really are, for what unique reason you are on earth, and what you love doing.

 Be the very best you that you can be and see what opportunities knock at your door and what possibilities you can create.

You have to choose your own way, you have to show what you do with enthusiasm and you have to mean it. It doesn't matter if this is what someone else expects or not; care about whether what you do is a good thing. Be accountable for you!!

Walking your own path means showing discipline, standing up for yourself when necessary, showing self confidence while being modest, moving beyond limitations and obstacles, and supporting the good, fair and just. Learn to endure difficult circumstances, and you'll have more options in life.

Be true and Authentic! If you are not true and authentic, you will never be able to find your own path, because you are walking someone else's path and vision. The world will respect you more if you are an authentic YOU instead of a copy of someone else. You have infinitely more to offer the world than you realize!

There is nothing wrong with asking for advice and even following it to a degree but only YOU can truly know what is best for YOU.

Don't let someone tell you that you CAN'T! As long as it's not illegal or harmful what the hell do you care what someone else thinks of what is best for you???

When someone tells you to not do what you would like to do, always ask yourself

 "How would this person benefit from you not following your plan? Or " What disadvantage would this person suffer from when you followed your plan?"

 If it is an unbiased person and somebody who wants your best, then you should consider listening to this person. However, keep in mind that even good friends might not be able to see the whole picture, or to understand why your chosen path is right for you.

Take a deep breath and find the courage to be yourself and give your all to what you choose to do. Walk that path and rock on with your bad self!!

Much Love and Light,

Brittany xx