Growing Up.

Something I have been thinking about lately is how weird it is to grow up.

Not just how it's weird to grow up, but how it's weird to think that we are maturing. I'm not even really sure what it is to be 'mature'.

As it is with mostly everything in life, things have different meaning retrospectively. When I think of my high-school-self now, I know that I really was not as mature as I thought I was at the time (although I am proud of my high school accomplishments)!









I don't feel very mature, even though I attribute myself to being organized, responsible, achieving, driven.. and other positive qualities.

My parents are the ones who have recently verified that I am mature and have given me the stamp of 'maturity'.

I feel very grown up because my parents keep asking me for advice, which really freaks me out.

I am the firstborn of the family, so I'm used to my parents looking to me to motivate my brothers, run errands for them and trust me to succeed without pep talks. But when it comes to asking for advice, that's a whole 'nother story!

My dad called me not too long ago to ask what I thought about him running for McKinney City Council At Large. I told him that as long as he wants to do it for the right reasons, plans to take on the task whole-heartedly and thinks that this is the way he can make a positive, significant difference, then yes. (I knew the answer to all of those things would be yes.. and it was.)



Not only did he ask for my advice in that big life-decision, but he has continued to ask for my expertise as a junior journalism major. I am flattered by this.

I'm kind of liking how life comes full-circle. It's funny to be enlightened and have a new perspective on anything - especially a relationship that is well-established... my relationship with my parents.

My appreciation for my parents continues to grow and prosper each day. I feel as though I am seeing a whole new side of them as parents, citizens, volunteers and business-people. Honestly, before college, I was naive enough to only see them as my parents.





Growing up is weird, but I am learning to appreciate the learning curve that comes along with it. I am lucky for each day that I grow older.

I'm amazed at what I have learned already about growing up. One of the most comforting things is that I am more and more secure in myself and who I am.

My mom once said to me the most memorable piece of advice I have ever gotten, "Every day you're defining who you are and where you're going." I will never forget that and will remember to live by that to ensure that as I grow older, I grow wiser, going in the direction that I am intended to go.

Keep your chin up!

Allison

My life as a Type A Perfectionist

It's been almost a month since I published my last blog post. I am very disappointed in myself because I have some WONDERFUL blogging ideas (so I think).

I have come to terms with the fact that I don't publish posts enough because I am a perfectionist. I have ideas of what I would like to post, but I want to choose a topic that is interesting and clever, but cute and simple. I want to make sure that I have enough time to sit down and write a post with meaning and without error.

My whole life, I have been a perfectionist. It really stems from me being a first born child. I can also blame my parents for raising me well and making me ambitious, determined, conscientious and achieving.

I was recently diagnosed (officially) with being a perfectionist when reading a book, "Born to Win" by Kevin Leman. This book, a gift from my parents, is about first born children and how they are more likely to be perfectionists. There is a quiz in the book that diagnoses your level of perfectionist tendencies and I am undoubtedly a Type A perfectionist. AWESOME!



What I know about being a perfectionist is that I like it. That characteristic is what makes me succeed, and I wouldn't change that about myself.

But, now I am wondering, what is "perfect" to me? What does perfection mean in my life?

The first thing that comes to mind is Jackie O. Classic beauty.



She is flawless. In fact, that's what the image is titled (I pulled it off Google).

Too often, we think of perfect in terms like what I think of perfect. We see pictures of Jacqueline Kennedy, Reese Witherspoon, J Crew clothing, Tory Burch shoes.. Okay, so this might be a sorority girl perspective of perfect, but the point is that we see perfect as appearances!




Perfection is what Jesus Christ exemplified. How He lived His life, and how we are supposed to live ours following Him.

"It is God who arms me with strength and makes my way perfect." Psalm 18:32

In terms of perfection, we should be seeking moral perfection, perfect fellowship, God's perfect will...



I think I'll start to pursue being perfect in the way the Lord intended, by living this quote a little better on a daily basis:

"Be kind and merciful. Let no one come to you without coming away better and happier." - Mother Teresa

I will work to be a bucket filler for other people; being uplifting and helping others in ways that I am able, even if that means simply smiling more often!

Today is International Women's Day. Let's be a little less critical of ourselves and remember that perfection is NOT a perfect appearance, but is to work to be more like Jesus.

Oh, happy day!