Atelophobia is the fear of imperfection. The fear of never being good enough. A disease spread by all humans. 

A new year a new you or NOT. Watch out for all the fancy New Years resolutions, they're like spears being shot at your vulnerable self. Society loves fads and trends deeming the next best thing as cool, fashion is one thing but keep your self and soul close to you. I'm writing this in the Maldives and a large cloud in front of me resembles Mufasa from the Lion King which means me writing this post and you reading it is meant to be. So remember, remember who you are Simba.

Just kidding, I had to but seriously change is inevitable but changing for anything other than yourself is pointless. Rumi once said if you love a flower, don't pluck it because then it stops being the thing you loved. We plan on being better but fads don't produce any long term fruit. Let's just plan on living without the evil stepsister's voice in the back of your head or the little red devil on the opposite shoulder of the angel. We all have good and bad and finding the courage to cultivate the good is the purpose of life because cultivating the good within results in cultivating the good vibes outward as well. 

I admire Olive because we joke about the phrase sorry not sorry being her motto but Olive really is not sorry. She's smaller than Greyson but fights like she's ten times bigger. If someone threatens her home by their presence she rushes down the stairs like a bat out of hell to challenge them to a staring contest and her bark is so loud the neighbors can hear it. When she’s feeling particularly sassy she will pee on purpose right in front of the door when you leave her home so you step on it first thing when you enter the room. I'm sure the angels in heaven are laughing when this happens but she just runs out the door and sits on her bed like the queen she is, not a care in the world. Even though I hate her for the next 15 minutes as I clean up, her gumption is note worthy.

Olive's gumption is my favorite thing about walking through life with a Frenchie, she reminds me everyday of who she is by just being herself. Olive came into the world the way she is and she'll die the same. Sure she's learned not to chew furniture, walk next to her dad and not leave his side, how to sit and lay down but she has a unwavering sense of self, a take it or leave it attitude. Dr. Seuss said, "be who you are and say what you feel, because those who mind don't matter and those who matter don't mind." Pay no attention to the Judge Judy's on the sidelines, their negativity and wayward thoughts dull their hearts and souls continuing the self defeating cycle of doom, kind of like the dwarves of Mordor. Frenchies hold no fear in being themselves they just snuggle, eat, poop, fart through life... not a care in the world but living life to the fullest.

I had a wonderful mentor, Kristina, who called me into her office one morning and told me to stop apologizing for everything. I was shocked because I wasn't even aware that I had even apologized. She showed me my emails and noted our conversations and to make a long story short told me to get out there and make mistakes. On the last day of the year, I'm reminding myself of this age old sage advice from Kristina to make as your new life's resolution. Get out there and make mistakes (and take photos so you can share them k thanks).

Stay fancy my friends,

xoxo

Deejay