Do Avoid Comparing Yourself To Others

Jen Sincero's, You are a Badass Deck —

It's time to get mighty clear about what makes you happy and what makes you feel the most alive, and then create it instead of pretending you can't have it.

The cards in this deck were created from a book You Are a Badass: How to Stop Doubting Your Greatness and Start Living an Awesome Life. The quotes you can use as affirmations, intention-setters, wake-up calls, and reminders of how powerful and lovable you are. The others are exercises and loving kicks in the rear to get/keep you moving in the direction you want to go and to help you push youself out of your comfort zone.

As a young woman, I rode a motorcycle. I got many people commenting on how cool that was that I rode. For many it was admiration. I didn't think it was a big deal until I noticed the women on motorcycles in my town and the few surrounding towns.

There weren't any except one that I knew of. Now, I know many. It is different now. My mother wanted me to stop riding when I was pregnant with my second child. After sliding off my bike in some soft sand at 7 months pregnant I listened to her.

I promised her I would stay off my bike until my baby was 21. He is 46 now and I have been riding for 25 years now. My children have advised me to get training wheels on my bike, to sell my bike for a convertible, to ride a trike, or to get a sidecar.

We have 7 children and each of them has suggested something that suggests they think the husband and I are too old to ride a motorcycle.

And so many others talk about a motorcycle death they are aware of. I have become a die-hard fan, and I know that when it is time for me to stop riding I will do that, and not before. And turning 70 I considered just that, and decided not yet! I ride less now and that is okay.

Appreciate How Special You Are

There will never be anyone exactly like you. You were given special gifts and talents to share with the world, and even though everybody has special gifts and talents to share with the world, nobody will use theirs quite the same way you do. You have created your own unique reality and are living your life according to your own unique path. You are the only you that will ever be. You are kind of a big deal. Jen Sincero

46 years ago, after a trip to a marriage counselor, I found recovery. It was so very important in my life and being a young woman at age 24, I have made great progress in recovery. I have learned so much. I recognize my gifts and talents and understand that there are pros and cons to gifts.

In taking back my cultural ancestry, I have identified the gifts I have and how it is important to treat them with respect.

Years ago I learned that just because I have a talent doesn't mean I must use it. I can cook and bake, but it is not necessary to do that unless I want to. My husband and I are on our own a lot. We have different schedules and he is on intermittent fasting.

We sit down to eat many meals and when we go out to eat. We are both satisfied with that. He is a minimalist cook. He cooks fried egg sandwiches and grilled cheese sandwiches. He eats cold cereal and oatmeal. He snacks in between and dinner is together or out of the freezer, and microwaveable.

His food is little to no vegetables, no pork, except sausage, no pasta, rice or tomatoes. My food consists of a variety of vegetables and fruit. I am gluten free, allergic to beef, coconut, mint and no sugar. With little to no processed foods.

I have allergies and I am sensitive to some things. This year I decided to eat more vegetables even if he doesn't. There isn't a vegetable I don't like. I have been cooking more. Making vegetable soups and strawberry, blueberry, and rhubarb sauce to freeze pints to eat another day.

Affirmations

You are more than enough. Avoid comparison like the plague. Jen Sincero

When my son was five years old he saw the movie "Running Brave" and wanted his ear pierced and a crew cut. It was not the style. He insisted and I allowed it.

He was teased. I would tell him that it is okay to be an individual. That he was his own person and he was no better and no worse than anyone else. I don't think I was there at the time, however it helped me to get there.

My son never wanted to wear name-brand clothing or shoes. To this day any name-brand clothes or shoes he is wearing, I know have come from his fiance'. The more plain, the better is his first choice.

In the ninth grade, his Spanish language teacher informed me that she had him stand on her desk and slowly turn around as she talked about his skateboard/snowboard clothing being the fashion overseas, as she heard him being teased in her classroom for what he was wearing.

As an adult with his own business at 24, I walked in and saw him doing kickflips in his store when no one was in there. He plays hockey at 46 and has lived his life of being his own person. In much the same way as I have learned to live my life in recovery.

Some affirmations I have heard and used:

I am loveable and capable

I am okay just the way I am

I do not need to impress anyone

I enjoy red lipstick, if others don't - it is none of my business

I am successful in all that I do

I am as happy as I make up my mind to be

I am happy, joyous, and free