Tuesday, September 1, 2009

But... But... But...

A couple of years ago, I was shopping at Target, and I kept running into this woman whose son, maybe three or four years old, cried the whole time she was there. I remember smiling to myself, so happy to be alone in the store with no one pulling on me and begging for everything in sight. I love going to the store alone. It's like going to the spa for mothers of small children. I'm sure some of you can relate.

When I got in line, this woman and her wailing child got in line behind me. He was begging her for something, and I could tell, he really, really wanted it, but Mom remained steadfast and immovable, never giving in to his demands. Something that's very difficult to do when you just want your kid to shut up already. ;)

After another firm denial, the poor, picked on little guy looked to his mother with a beseeching expression and wailed, "But I'm AWESOME!!!"

Mom quietly reassured him that he was awesome, but he wasn't getting that toy he wanted.

Since then, this has been a bit of a joke between my husband and me. When we notice that someone is acting particularly picked on (usually one of our kids), one of us will whisper to the other, "But I'm awesome!" Then we'll have a little laugh, because we're so amused by ourselves.

Now, as much I enjoy using it to mock my children and all their preteen suffering, I think there's some wisdom in it. We're all pretty awesome in our own ways, even when we're feeling otherwise.

So, since I'm feeling pretty good this week, I think I'll aim to follow that little boy's example. When I'm feeling like everything I write is crap, and my life is just one giant rejection, I'll yell from the rooftops, "But I'm AWESOME!!!"

Okay, maybe not from the rooftops. I'm not good with heights. I'd probably get stuck up there. Maybe from my front door.

And since I should be revising my novel right now, I decided to make another badge. What can I say? I'm pretty awesome at procrastination. ;D Enjoy!

16 comments:

  1. "Awesome" post. hehe

    Seriously though, this was great. I'm in the tantrum stage right now...was a good thought to consider.

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  2. Love this post! I think you should do a YouTube and get all the awesome kids and adults you can find to yell from their doorways and rooftops and car windows and anywhere they're game. It would be so cool!

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  3. Good to remember, cause sometimes we all forget how awesome we are.

    Great post, Abby!

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  4. This post is great! Thank you for sharing. I usually have these "inside joke" moments with just myself (note to include husband next time). A whole world of stuff happens in my poor little mind. I think it is necessary to remind oneself of one's awesomeness occasionally. I just shouted it out loud and it felt great.

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  5. This is too funny! :D I love your badges!

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  6. When my son was really young, he was colicky. And of course, hubby and I were tired and desperate and started getting snippy... until he put his hand over son's screaming little mouth and made the wah-wah-wah sound.

    It was just the laugh we needed, so our version of "but I'm awesome" is wah-wah-wah. ;)

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  7. Great post! I'm going to remember that line next time I'm feeling down in the dumps! Thanks for the pep talk. And I think you are pretty awesome!

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  8. Way too funny! But we all do need to remember that we are awesome, and how better than with an awesome badge?

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  9. Kristal: Thanks! Do they ever grow out of that tantrum stage? I'm still waiting...

    Tricia: Thanks! That would be very cool. But, um, I really don't need any more procrastination fuel. Making videos was a hobby for me at one point.

    Tere: You are awesome. Just keep telling yourself that. :)

    T.Anne: Thanks! So are you!

    Regina: Good for you! Thanks for stopping by. :)

    Becca: Thanks! Anything so I don't have to do my revisions. Argh!

    Carrie: That is hilarious! Where is the fun in having kids if we can't mock them once in a while?

    Lazy Writer: Thanks! You're pretty awesome yourself. :)

    Anna: I agree. A little self confidence never hurt anyone. :D

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  10. You ARE awesome! I love this post. It's so true that we need to urge ourselves on more often.

    I AM AWESOME!

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  11. Oh, I'm going to have to teach my daughter this, by the way. It's so cute. :D

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  12. YES YOU ARE AWESOME! and never forget it!

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  13. I'm going to repeat this to myself. Over and over. Great badge!

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  14. VERY funny. I can so imagine that kid saying it, too. Thanks for the laugh!

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  15. LG: Yea! You are awesome! And it's a great thing to teach your daughter. Little girls need all the self esteem they can get.

    Tami: Thanks! So are you! Your support means so much!

    Elana: Thanks! Repeat after me: I'm good enough. I'm smart enough... :)

    MC: You're very welcome!

    Suzanne: Thanks! So are you! You've been such a huge help to me!

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