Thoughts - February 3, 2017

“Know this. I think you could be special if you only thought there was anything special about yourself.”
― Pat Conroy, My Losing Season: A Memoir.

There is nothing that quite aggravates me more than someone saying 'they're nobody special.' It's not that I'm peeved with them, but the fact they can reach the age of talking - or after decades of living - and they've never been told the secret of life. We are all unique and special, given gifts to share with others, a road to follow. Somewhere down the line, a person who feels this way has been thwarted - or at the least - taught a false definition of modesty. Even those of us who were raised with love and encouragement need to be reminded we are special. When I was an awkward teenager, my dear friend Geoffrey looked me in the eye and said: "I wish I could be around when you realize how special you are!" Whew. Words that often reawaken in my mind when I am aggravated with myself.... - Beth Almond Ford