Still working on this whole "Determination" thing: Today's "Kanyeism"

Happy St. Patrick's Day! Kegs 'n Eggs 2009 was crazy fun (Thanks again, Brittany!) so I won't be celebrating much today but I will be getting back to this business of determination.

I'm still working on Kanye's "2 Keys 2 Happiness" (Please refer last Friday's blog post if you're not sure what they are) and Point #2 is making slow progress and Point #1 is...let's be honest-I'm probably further away from reaching that than I was 3 days ago. Sad.

In assessing what today's "Kanyeism" was going to be, I had some new insight that I thought I would share. (FYI-assessing involves me taking out the book and dropping it on my desk. Whatever page it opens to is what I choose. I guess it's a Kanye eight-ball in a way!)

Embrace Your Flaws (pages 25 and 26)
"Recognize and embrace your flaws so you
can learn from them. Sometimes it takes a little polishing to truly shine."

I've been having a number of challenges in the past eight months or so, they range in severity and difficulty but the source is the same. I've come to many conclusions in order to make my peace with the situation but it's one that won't be changing until the time is right. Some days are okay and some days, I'm crying when I get out of bed and I'm crying when I go to bed at night thinking about it.

After spending more time trying to find a solution and seeking counsel from those I love and trust, the reality is I cannot control this situation so I have to tailor it to fit my needs, a.k.a. Point #1 of the "2 Keys 2 Happiness." That brings us to today's "Kanyeism".

One of my flaws since I was a kid is that I take things very seriously. I wouldn't call it naivete but I expect people to act and react the same way I do. The main way this plays out is the consideration and respect that I give to people. People have told me that I often treat people who don't deserve it with respect. And as Jamaal eloquently put it, "It sad, but it is unrealistic to expect people to respect you the same way you respect them."

I am in no way perfect but I grew up with the understanding that it is important to treat people well. So, here is where the breakdown comes - when people don't treat me in a way that I feel is appropriate, I cannot handle it and feel that I cannot tolerate it. (Not good progress toward Point #1 especially because I can't control that) With that being said, I think the goal in upholding this theme of Determination is that:

(1) I have to learn to not take things personally that are not that important to me in the first place.

(2) If someone doesn't hold my feelings, talents or skills in high regard, I shouldn't dignify their ridiculousness with my time or attention.

Every day is a new test and today is undoubtedly a new one. I will do my absolute best to remember the "2 Keys 2 Happiness" and that I must "Embrace My Flaws." For now, that is all I can promise, because I am only human.