“Just Be You!”
My favorite customer was in today (I know I’m not supposed to have faves, but c’mon, if you met him he’d be yours, too!) and I was telling him how excited I was to see Michael Moore this evening at SJSU. I explained that I was a tad nervous because we’ll be in the front row and even if he’s not going to take questions from the audience (I sort of hope that he does) he’d still have to look at us and it’s laundry day and what the heck am I going to wear. And it’s at a university and I’m a high school drop out and will sound like an idiot-valley girl if I say anything…Yes, I can be melodramatic. Wev. And do you know what he said to me?
“Sarah, you being fat & self accepting and just putting yourself out there? That’s brave, man! Doing that is beyond most people’s comprehension. Just be you, don’t worry about anything else. You’re awesome.”
Holy crap, right?! I was so moved by this I just had to write about it here. The thing is, he’s right. I mean, so fucking what if I’m not mega-educated. I think I have what I need in the brain department. I just get intimidated sometimes. Especially around highly educated people.
He did go on about inspiring others and becoming famous and stuff and well, that’s not what I’m about. If I can help someone, rad! But in the end, it’s not about fame, it’s about sharing knowledge and learning from each other. That is too cool for school if you ask me. Ha! With friends like him? I certainly can’t go wrong!
I hope you’re having a great day and if you’re not? Well, shit! It’s almost over anyway. A new day tomorrow and it’s FRIDAY!!! WOOT!
Have a great time! And your friend is absolutely right. So there.
Thank you, dear. You’re far too kind. =0)
Sarah, you are amazing! Your customer is 110% right. Don’t doubt yourself for a second.
I was surprised when you mentioned it that first day. You are an eloquent and articulate speaker AND writer. You definitely can hold your own with the best of them!
Oh my gosh, Nicole! You’re gonna make me cry! Thank you and thank you and thank you! *blushes* You’re too sweet for words!
I struggle with this too. I watch the great academics around me do their thing, the radical activists who have long credentials behind them, and other awesome rad fatties and performers.
Then I remember that I scraped through high school by the skin of my teeth. I never had any tertiary education. That I worked for 10 years to get to the position of librarian through experience.
And I feel inadequate compared to them.
But then I read work like yours, or see what someone like Kelli-Jean Drinkwater is doing, or various other everyday people who just wish to make a change in the world, and I take heart. Every one of us contributes to making a difference, and brings our own talents and skills to the party.
You do great, and I really enjoy reading your work, it inspires, provokes thought and entertains among many other things.
You’ve made me well-up with tears. You’re far too kind, I swear it! But I feel the same way about you. I hadn’t realized that you’d worked your way up to librarian, I am in awe! <3