Recently my favorite XM station (Take 5, XM 155) changed their programming to include Dr. Laura in the lineup. I was listening to Broadminded, my favorite XM show, and some of the listeners were talking about how much they dislike Dr. Laura and her views. That got me thinking about how much I USED to like Dr. Laura, and how much I've changed over the last 10 years.
Ten years ago I was 37 years old, with a four-year-old and a two-year-old in tow with me everywhere I went. I mostly wore a pair of overalls with a white t-shirt and my hair in a ponytail all the time. (Ask Tim if you don't believe me!) (If I knew how to scan pictures, I'd post proof!) I listened to Dr. Laura because she supported my decision to stay home with my kids, and my life staying home was very very hard. I was a perfectionist, but didn't know it, and was pretty closed off to friendships, because I was afraid if anyone got too close, they'd find out how messed up I was inside. My hobbies at the time were running, scrapbooking (I got a page published in Creating Keeepsakes magazine, for those who scrapbook), and cooking. I remember this time of my life as super difficult, and I didn't think things would ever change. I believed I would always be the same, and my life would always be the same.
Fast forward 10 years. I feel younger and sexier now than I ever have in my whole life. My kids are now young men, and they are really great to know. I don't listen to Dr. Laura because I think she's shrill and annoying, but I appreciate her message and how it helped me. I'm much more accepting of my limitations (there are many, but that's just life) as well as my strengths (there are many of those too!). And because I now know that we are changing and growing all the time (if we're open to change and growth), I'll be excited to discover the me that will emerge over the next decade!
4 comments:
That's the same probably for the vast majority of people under 50.
Ask them if the last 10 years gave them what they thought, and they'd probably say no, or some things not others.
Hope you're having a great day. Take care and best wishes. You should be especially proud of the last 10 years, you've done some amazing things, and you'll continue to do so.
GOOD LUCK.
:-) :-).
Matt
What a refreshing perspective! I certainly love you now more than ever, and I hope that I (like you) learn to appreciate MYSELF more as I grow!
Hi Leslie,
I found your blog off of Tracy Rif's page and I really enjoyed reading this post. I especially appreciate your honesty and it's wonderful to hear that life, for you, has changed for the better!
I myself am a first time, semi-stay-at-home mom (I work with my husband's fitness company) and it can be really difficult! I don't think women share enough about their struggles at this age while they are going through them. I like sharing what I'm going through in the moment but I've found that opening up makes a lot of people uncomfortable. Maybe that's something that changes with age... I've always thought that I'm somewhat of an "old soul"!
Anyway, I just wanted to say that I enjoy your posts and appreciate your honesty!
p.s. congrats on your jeans!! I'm sure that feels good!
Leslie,
I used to listen to Dr Laura daily, and I'm still a fan, but I'm far less judgemental than I used to be. Ironically I was much more judgemental when I was fat, I don't know what that means (?) but I'm not as uptight as I used to be!
My youngest son used to complain about "having" to listen to her, but routinely will tune into her show on his own, and I credit listening to her with him in the car for his mature moral awareness!
PS Not that I haven't paid retail for designer clothes, but being a flea market/garage saler/ebayer I get $100-$200 jeans for as little as $2 (as much as $10)! Not to mention other designer clothes and shoes. My latest bargain was this last weekend I picked up a pair of (perfectly broken in) Frye boots for $10!
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