Growing Up

Happy Thursday,

How is everyone doing today? I hope all is well in your world. Anything new happening? Are you getting ready for Halloween? What are your plans for this spooktacular weekend? I’m not exactly sure what I have going on, other then I get to spend time with John. Today I went and played a little chair volleyball. Hey, before you say anything, let me tell you, it’s tons of fun and the folks I play with are amazing. It feels good being able to get out and play and be a little active without the possibility of losing my balance and falling. I love it.

So, other then a little chair volleyball, it’s been a bit of a quiet day. I started my new medication when I got home and in all honesty, it’s kickin’ my booty. It’s made me super sleepy and sleepy isn’t a good thing when I have tons to get done before the weekend, but I will do my best to not let myself get too stressed out.

I wanted to write today about growing up. I read this little article/comment that Meryl Streep wrote. She also happens to be one of my favorite actresses. She’s played in Mama Mia, It’s Complicated, Marvin’s Room and recently, she played in POMS, which was amazing. I feel like she’s the kind of actress that truly becomes the part she’s playing. I appreciate her work and when I read this little clip or quote from her, I thought, I’m gonna share this one.

“I no longer have patience for certain things, not because I’ve become arrogant, but simply because I reached a point in my life where I do not want to waste more time with what displeases me or hurts me. I have no patience for cynicism, excessive criticism, and demands of any nature. I lost the will to please those who do not like me, to love those who do not love me, and to smile at those who do not want to smile at me. I no longer spend a single minute on those who lie or want to manipulate. I decided not to coexist anymore with pretense, hypocrisy, dishonesty, and cheap praise. I do not tolerate selective erudition nor academic arrogance. I do not adjust either to popular gossiping. I hate conflict and comparisons. I believe in a world of opposites and that’s why I avoid people with rigid and inflexible personalities. In friendship, I dislike the lack of loyalty and betrayal. I do not get along with those who do not know how to give a compliment or a word of encouragement. Exaggerations bore me and I have difficulty accepting those who do not like animals, and on top of everything, I have no patience for anyone who does not deserve my patience.”-Meryl Streep.

Perhaps this is a way of saying that once you hit a certain age, you don’t need all the drama in your life, or maybe it’s just saying that you reach a point in life where you matter too, and if anyone rains on your parade of loving life, then maybe they just don’t need to be a huge part of your world anymore. I feel like the mindset of turning 18 and becoming an adult is just the beginning. We spend our whole lives growing up. Life is about growing and navigating this life. Sure, we all fall down and miss our steps now and again, but that’s all apart of us growing up.

I’ve heard it said over and over again, maybe with a twist of words here and there, but the basic thought that always came across to me was, the Universe is guiding our path and if we are listening to it and we get on the wrong path, well, we fall, or things become more of a struggle. It’s all about growing. We’ve been given a glimpse of magnificence with our gift of life. Some of us go through the motions of life and live dead, others take chances and truly live life. I admire those that have a zest and a thirst for living with no regrets, just like my Aunt Billie.

Like Meryl Streep says, “I no longer have patience for certain things, not because I am arrogant, but simply because I reached a point in my life where I do not want to waste more time with what displeases me or hurts me.” This woman, this actress, she continues to grow, I’m guessing every day. She’s showing us the importance of time, what time we have left here on this earth.

I have tons of growing up to do myself. I have so much to learn, but I’m listening and taking notes from people that speak in a way that makes me think. I have never had the honor of meeting Meryl Streep, but I love the message she conveyed in her little quote above, and to me, it’s a great life lesson.

Well, guys, all I can say is, keep going, keep growing and until next time, don’t forget, Love Life++