“Be who you are and say what you feel because those who mind don't matter and those who matter don't mind.”

I posted that quote by the great Theodor Seuss Geisel or who most of us know him as "Dr. Suess," as my facebook status a few days ago. I know that the quote is somewhat popular, and some have heard it thousands of times. When I am searching for great quotes, it is almost always on the list. Recently I have searching fro great quotes to live by or great sayings to live by. Most of them are from the scriptures (who wouldn't want to live by the good word of God?).  Some are from famous athletes and coaches (Vince Lombardi is the man), and some are from famous authors, past and present. When I ran across this quote for the first time I liked it for a few different reasons. The first time I read it, I had to read it again to fully understand it. It made me think. A good quote should always make you think. Another reason is because it moved me to do something I don't normally do. I'm not necessarily the type of guy to just come out and say things. I'm a little more reserved, but this quote has showed me otherwise.
I remember my sister telling me just before I went on my mission that the only advice that she would give to me was "Just be you." I have never forgotten those words. "Be who you are." I have seen through observing others, that the people who are not who they really are, eventually fail. Somehow it always catches up to them. In one way or another, it comes back to bite them. Sometimes I catch myself almost stooping down to that level but I never can let myself do it and will never let myself do that. Who really wants to be a failure anyways?
Saying what I feel is kind of a new thing for me. I have never really been one to tell someone how I feel without them asking me first. That has kind of changed in the past little bit. Mainly for this quote. Really if you think about it, if you tell someone something and they really matter to you, and you matter to them, they won't mind. If you tell someone how you feel and they mind, and it really effects them, or they are offended easily, you probably shouldn't be around them anyways. With that said, you might lose some acquaintances, and there is always moderation. There are some things that can be gone without said. If I see a guy on the street and I don't like his haircut, I am not going to go up to him and say "hey buddy you have an ugly haircut!" Yesterday I was in a class and a  student wanted to comment about everything the professor was saying, and as much I wanted to tell her "hey! let the man talk!" I didn't because that wouldn't be right. If it bothers you, and they are your friend, say it.
I would rather live in honesty and know, than not know and never know and wonder for a long time. Honesty for the most part makes life easier. Sometimes the truth hurts. Sometimes the truth hurts really bad, but sometimes, the truth is all we need to know, and the only way to truly know, is to say how you feel. Sometimes the truth can throw you a curve ball, but at least you know. Sometimes it can bean you right in between the eyes, but at least you know.
Be who YOU are and say what YOU feel because those who mind DON'T MATTER and those who matter DON'T MIND.
Ya'll come back now ya hear?!
COLEY

Oh....the girl that slipped on the ice....

 
So I've had a few things on my mind and need to get them out.... I usually don't post this frequently and in a way I'm proud of my self and in another way that just means I have way too much time on my hands.
I think the thing that triggered this post is the fact that as a friend/roommate  and I were driving to school this morning on a ice chilled morning in the great town of Rexburg, I witnessed a rather cute girl (its Rexburg) slip and fall on an icy sidewalk. To that girl I want to say "I'm sorry you had to start out your morning that way. I know you didn't at all think your day was going to start like that. If I wasn't driving 25mph in traffic I would have probably stopped to make sure you were at least OK. If you would like me to score it on a scale of one to ten.....ten. The way your legs flew up in the air at the exact same time in perfect unison to eventually make you land directly on your bottom gave you the right to receive a ten." One thing that I admired about this moment is the fact that she didn't waste time in getting back up on her feet and continued her quick walk in the grass (smart woman). As I pulled into the parking lot at school, all I could think about was that moment and how I can relate in soo many ways literally and figuratively.
Now I'm not one to come up with these crazy analogies about life and I'm not attempting to do this now but just hear me out for a moment. This girl most likely got up extra early to get all dolled up to go to school and look as cute as she could. The outfit was most likely planned. To be honest I didn't get the best look at her (I was driving) but that ice on sidewalk this morning just tried to destroy everything she was trying for. Her confidence level might have shrunk the moment she hit the pavement. But she got up! Brushed herself off! Checked for blood (I would have too), and kept on walking on a better path than before.
Sometimes in our lives (mine in particular but in most peoples as well), we do everything we can to have the right things happen, or have what we think is right happen, but then comes that nice thin layer of ice in our paths to put us right on our hindquarters. It is those moments in my life where just like that poor girl who slipped on the ice I get back up, brush myself off and check for blood. Then...I keep going. She kept going. (This is the moment where I come up with a good quote.) "The difference between fiction and reality? Fiction has to make sense." - Tom Clancy. Reality sometimes doesn't make sense. I still don't understand why she had to be the one to take the fall this morning. But I did learn a few things. One-don't try to walk fast on a slick sidewalk. Two- when there is an icy patch in life you're most likely going to fall.... just get up and keep walking, but don't forget to walk with caution. Word.
Ya'll come back now ya hear!?
-COLEY