Learning From The Young Part One

      
  At my work, I teach kids between the ages of 3 and 7 years old. Though I'm the teacher, more often then not, they teach me.  Today is a great example: I was working with this precious three year old named Fee- she is quite a character. She is always full of smiles, and jokes she doesn't quite get, like telling people "Happy Christmas" because that's what Harry does, or educating me on the matter of, " how she can sound like the most realistic elephant people would think she is a REAL elephant." Fee is full of confidence, and she won't let anyone bring her down.  
    Every day with Fee is a treat in it's own way. Today, Fee bounded up to me excited to enlighten me on, " that girl from Valentine's Day, Taylor Swift." She proceeded to sing throughout her whole hour long lesson all the Taylor Swift songs she knows, making up her own versions of words, refusing to let her innocence prevent her from doing what she loves. 
    Once Fee had exhausted her musical library, she decided to draw a picture of Taylor Swift. As she was drawing, she stopped dead in the middle of a doodle, and looked me right in the eye, and said, with a sly smile, 
  " You know, my mommy and I love Taylor Swift named Taylor from Valentines Day, but we both agree when she is not being a movie star she wears too much makeup." 
    " I do too, Fee. That's why I only wear a little bit, that's all you need." 
    " I know! That's what makes you so beautiful, Miss Olivia." 
    " Thank you! That is so sweet to get a compliment from such a great           singer." 
    " I know. We're all beautiful in our own way. As long as we don't wear too much makeup"  
       It made me laugh, that to Fee, being beautiful was only determined by how much makeup you wear; it seemed a sweet thing to say. Later on, as I was grading papers, I started to think back to what Fee said. According to her toddler wisdom, if you wear too much makeup, you are no longer beautiful- and that makes sense. I'm not saying that if you layer your eyes in black that you are automatically ugly, I mean it more as a metaphor. Let me break it down. 
      Girl's wear makeup to "make themselves pretty", but in reality, they're just trying to cover up what they really look like- their "imperfections." In a way, we are all like that. Some of us layer on "makeup" to try and be some kind of perfect person, when in reality, if you washed away all the hype, you'd be left with a broken teen disappointed in the person they have grown up to be. 
    This was me; scratch that, sometimes, this is STILL me. Being yourself is hard to do, especially when we live in such a judgmental world. We put on all these different masks; hipsters, jocks, party girls, nerds, black, white, brown, etc, etc, ETC. That list could go on forever and at the same time it could not ever really be totally true of anyone. No one is all of some label, because to totally be a stereotype means you would have had to alter yourself in some way to be a perfect fit, because in reality, we are all a little more complex then we let on. It's really great. 
    There's no shame in being who you really are, because deep down, I personally believe everyone is "good." I'm not saying you all sit at home on Saturday nights, but there is something about you that draws people to you. Maybe it's your winning personality, your kind heart, your ability to make everyone feel special. There is something about you that is "good", and it is unique just to you. 
      In addition to your goodness, everyone is blessed with some kind of creativity. I'm not saying everyone is some kind of artistic mastermind, but there is some kind of creative gift you have been given. Perhaps you are really good in math, or an amazing dancer; maybe you are good at leading people or a good skateboarder- I don't know what your creativity it, but I know there is something about you that you shine at. It's your passion, and doing it makes you happy, and because you're passionate and happy, you're GOOD at it. That's awesome. 
     So if we're to believe that everyone is essentially "good" and "creative", then Fee would indeed be right. You don't need "make up" to be beautiful, because your natural make up, that is gorgeous enough all on it's own. So, there is no reason to smother ourselves with labels that just aren't quite our shade. Wash your face, and smile- you are absolutely stunning just being the person you really are. 
    I have probably thoroughly killed the metaphor, but take Fee's advice, and be who you are. You may not be friends with or the person you imagined you would be, but you will be so much happier, and people love happy people. So go on good lookin', let your hair down. Rock that body. 


Color Outside the Lines,
Olive :)