Grown Up But Not: UNLESS

The other day (and by the other day, I mean the past three days in a row) I watched The Lorax. Originally one of my favorite childhood books by Dr. Seuss turned movie, I just can't help but love it!

It is a good book and it is quite the entertaining movie as well, but it's more than that. We've got something to learn from it too!

In the movie, the Once-ler says to Ted:
"Unless someone like you cares a whole awful lot, nothing is going to get better. It's not."
Yes, this is a children's book and a children's movie (and yes, I still watch and read them at the ripe age of 22), but that quote rings true to anybody at any age.

Unless is such a powerful word; unless can change the world. Unless, meaning that except on the condition that _______________. Things will stay the same unless _______. Change starts with a fire in you that spreads to others, change can't happen unless someone believes and wants it to happen.

You can change the world. You, your friends, your family, your organization - y'all can change the world. Find what you're passionate about and let that be your guide.

Anyone can make change, but in less you ACTUALLY care (maybe a whole awful lot) that change won't matter, you won't inspire others to want to join you in your journey. People won't buy into change for change sake; people buy into your passion and because of that, your change with a purpose sticks and resonates.

Take a lesson from Dr. Seuss, the Lorax, the Once-ler, and Ted - be passionate, care, and make this world a better place.



Grown Up But Not

For those of you who know me, you know I am the biggest grandma-child contradiction ever. I am a lover of children's movies (to this day, one of my all-time favorites is The Prince of Egypt, go ahead, judge me), yet I have the reputation of being a grandma. When I was at school, I was either studying, planning, working, or sleeping; I did other things, of course, but it isn't what most people think of when they think of the "college life". I'm what some would like to call grown up but not.

It's this mentality that I have, that I decided I would start a series of blog posts called "Grown Up But Not" where I draw from children's books or movies and show how we can learn from them. I'm really excited about this, and for those of you who know me, I'm sure this comes as no surprise.

I mean, let's be real, I did write an 8-page paper synthesizing the theories of social science and epistemology with Harry Potter. I hope it's something that y'all enjoy, because I'm really excited for an excuse to watch more movies (all for the sake of blogging of course)!

We graduated, now what?

For those of you who don't know, I, like thousands of other around the nation, just graduated from college. It's a mixed bag of emotions for SO many people and after talking with some of my amazing friends and classmates it's a little bit terrifying.

I'll admit, it is a little bit terrifying. Why? Because this is what we've done for the past 16 years of our lives, we've been in school. The past 16 years have been filled with so much growth, so many experiences, but yet there was a constant and that was school. We went to class, we made friends, maybe we played sports, hopefully we did a little homework, we learned; it's what we knew, it's what we looked forward to, and it's what we dreaded. School has been our lives up until now, and now, we walked across a stage and were unleashed on the world. Weird, huh?

With all of this craziness that may or may not be swimming around in our heads, I think it's always important to never lose our childlike nature. We may not be in school anymore, but it doesn't mean we have to be grown ups quite yet, or ever. So yeah, graduation might be scary, but I know that we are all going to do amazing things. In the wise words of Dr. Seuss:
You have brains in your head. You have feet in your shoes. You can steer yourself any direction you choose. You're on your own. And you know what you know. And YOU are the one who'll decide where to go.
Don't forget that you are smart and talented and amazing and a plethora of other things. Don't forget that you can choose what you do, who you help, and how you impact others. While you may be on your own, you're never alone; you have the people who helped you get to where you are now and the communities that you are a part of and going to join.

You've got a good head on your shoulders, go chase your dreams and don't let anyone tell you that you're not good enough. It might be scary for a little bit, but don't let that fear stop you from reaching your dreams. Walk into the unknown with confidence, and show this world what you can do!

I believe in you, others believe in you, now you just have to believe in yourself.

YSK: Project Unbreakable

Very recently, I stumbled upon something great, something amazing, something awe inspiring. This something is called Project Unbreakable. And don't let the name fool you it's more than just a project, it is a community in itself, it is storytelling, it is so much more than I could ever describe, but I will try nonetheless.

Project Unbreakable was created in October of 2011 by Grace Brown; the project shows photographs of survivors of sexual assaults holding a poster with a quote from their attacker. These photographs are beyond powerful and shed light onto a subject that is often swept under the rug: sexual assault. These photographs make the experience real to other people, it's just not someone you heard of, it is something that you can see. It also says something about the survivors; it says they are stronger than their attacker, that they will not let this define them. Project unbreakable gives the survivors a chance to share their story, to have the last word.

Although I have never had to experience sexual assault, I know people who have, and I am forever grateful to Grace Brown for creating Project Unbreakable, it is something that is truly phenomenal.

Like I said, I can't possibly describe Project Unbreakable in words, so check it out for yourself!

Growth is optional

Growth, it's a funny thing really. We don't always realize it when it happens, but then we look back and we are somehow a different and better person.

For me, growth is positive change; that doesn't mean that positive things need to happen to you in order to grow, it means that you have to make the most out of those obstacles and opportunities and let the experience help teach you valuable lessons. Everything that happens to you will mold you in someway or another, it just really depends on how you view.

A lot of times we like to stay stuck in the same place. When I say that it sounds crazy, why would we ever want to stay in the same place, the same rut, that we are in? We should want to move forward, right? For some reason, we like to stay there and pity ourselves and make excuses for why things can't change,even though they can. The excuse that gets me the most is "that's just the way I am" or "that's how I was born/raised".

Just because you were born that way, just because you are currently that way, it doesn't mean you have to STAY that way. We aren't static creatures, we are constantly evolving into something different, little by little. Never underestimate your ability to change your future or shake up your "destiny". You are the way you are, but you can always change that. You aren't stuck, you just think you are. You don't have to be what you once were.

Change is inevitable and growth is optional. You don't have to be what you once were, that's just nonsense. Please don't let what you "always have been" dictate who you always be.