Rooting For the Underdog

When I was in junior high I slummed around in one of the more "popular" groups of my school. Disturbed and confused by the new skin that puberty had delivered to us, emotions ran high and self confidence was low. The girls who I associated my self with weren't all that nice and were crazy judgmental, but since I was incredibly shy and grateful to be accepted into any group at all, I allowed myself to become the same way. At the beginning of 7th grade a new girl named Laura somewhat came into our circle. I say "somewhat" because this girl clearly followed the beat of her own drum: she made friends with people from different cliques, wore crazy colorful clothes, lived in a mansion size house, and most of all seemed completely comfortable in her own skin. It was as if pre-teen angst had totally missed this girl.
It seemed like at the blink of an eye my groups of "friends" were totally against this girl. It first started from some stupid guy; the ringleader Stephanie liked/dated him and then he turned his attention to Laura. The rule was to hate her, so we ignored her. Then the rule was to torture her. We relentlessly picked on her: starting rumors, giggling in the hallways, ugly notes, face-to-face badgering. I include myself in this because not only was I associating myself with these girls by calling them my friends, but one day I made Laura cry. That day something clicked in my head, I laid off and faded into the background, and any further shit talking I kept myself out of.
That next school year I found amazing friends who I actually had things in common with on a creative level. One of them was Laura. In fact 8 years later Laura and I are still friends, while I haven't talked to one of the mean girls since. And yes, I apologized for all the horrid things I did.

Ever since then I've always rooted for the underdog. Those are often the people who'd rather spend their time creating something and achieving their dreams. The people who decide whats going to be in style for the season, who will sit and bond with an album at 2am, and those who intrigue the world. I'm talking about the people who are so quirky and different, from the hermit crab types to those who are loved by many but understood by few. They are too busy manifesting a amazing life than to judge how others are living theirs. Underdogs are often at some point rejected and mistreated by their peers, because people can be so damn jaded. It can sometimes not be a easy rode to ride on, but ultimately it is well worth it, and so much more fun!
From my decision to root for the underdog I have become a Underdog myself. Being a Underdog is pretty much choosing to live your life for your happiness rather than for what society tells you to. Its recognizing that I'm the only Fennec that will ever be, so I better be me, be happy about it, and have fun. You choose love over fear, truth over "fact", and positivity over doubt. And do you want to know a mind blowing secret:

In the end, the Underdog is actually Top Dog.

Say whaa? Random examples: Opera Winfrey, Jim Carey, Bill Gates, Betsey Johnson, Heidi Klum, and Lady Gaga. Look up the background of your idol, at some point in their lives they were either bullied, broke, misunderstood, or just fighting for their dream. Look where they are now, so clearly choosing to be yourself and follow your true dreams doesn't equal being alone, unloved, and friendless. It may seem that way at certain points on your journey to Top Dog, but ultimately you are educating your mind to recognize true friends, beneficial lessons, and amazing opportunities.

Have you ever been a Underdog?
xoxo Fennec

To Be Yourself...

To be yourself in a world that is constantly trying to make you something else is the greatest accomplishment.

— Ralph Waldo Emerson

xo Fennec

What Kind Of Level Are You?

When you are feeling up or down, where do the people around you stand? When you feel happy, blissful, filled with glee, do you send off your positive vibes to the people around you? Or more importantly (i.e. what inspired this article), when you are feeling miserable, do all the people around you have to feel the same?

It seems that for some people, when they are not happy, everyone around them have to suffer. And this is completely ridiculous! Not to mention childish. Unless you are venting to a close friend during a hangout session, no one around you should have your crappy emotions put on them.

How do you know is you are putting your heavy load onto others? Here are a few everyday examples:
Work: Do you completely ignore your coworkers because your in "no mood to talk"? Even the ones who are always sweet to you? Are you rolling your eyes at people who are excited or laughing?
Public: Are you glaring at strangers? Giving attitude to your barista? Are you completely ignoring people who smile at you?
Friends/Family: Are you forcing the topic to be on how *melo*dramatic your life is, even after that person has allowed you to spill your guts? Are you adding bitter commentary onto other persons sweet moment?

Those are just a few examples. Now dont go into a shame spiral if you find yourself identifying with a few of them. The great part: its easy to turn it around. It really isnt that hard to act charming. It takes 2 seconds to smile, 1 breath to say thank you, and no time wasted to throw out a compliment. Even though your stressed, or tired, or sad doesnt mean the people around you have to be the same. Plus, when you make a effort to be pleasant, the people around you will respect and appreciate you more. Its the more mature way to act, and will make you feel better in the long run. You never know, being happy for a coworkers promotion (even when your suffering from your own demise) may open you up and help you forget about your own problem for a while and feel more positive about your future.

How do you know if you are throwing out some positive, loving vibes?
Are you smiling? Are you making people laugh? Are people excited to see you? Are you having a energized conversation? Do you feel like you, and the people who you are interacting with, are walking away feeling refreshed and uplifted?

Yes? Bingo!

xo- Fennec

Go Confidently...

I want to print this out, frame it, and put it above my desk.

Ya'll should do the same! Find your own piece of visual inspiration here.

xo Fennec

How To Spend Your Alone Time

It seems that as you get older you have less and less time to spend by yourself. There are moments for you to unwind, watch some mindless tv, and clean out your inbox, but what about the moments for yourself.

It's so important to make time for yourself during the day. That time of the day where you take a moment to write down your thoughts, meditate, draw/paint, read a stimulating book, or anything that brings you back to center. When we become to tired, aka too lazy, to make time for ourselves, it throws us off track. It stops the creative flow, energy levels lower, and personal confidence plummets.

I am totally guilt of this, my life is so fast paced that when I come home all I want to do is sit down and do nothing. The outcome of that is that I feel less inspired and motivated from the lack of reflection/creative time. Whereas if I had taken the time to finish that book I was reading, complete that drawing, or meditate I would have finished off the day feeling even more accomplished, energized, and grateful.

Even if you can only give 10 minutes a day to yourself its enough, here are some ideas of how to spend your free time:

• Write in a Journal.
  I suggest actually writing rather than tying on to an online journal. The acting of writing furiously onto paper all of your thoughts feels much more releasing.


• Have a bubble bath


• Painting
  The colors! The brushes! The canvas! The mess! But most of all, the end result.


• Reading
  Make sure its something stimulating. Something that makes you stop, think, ponder, feel. I love philosophy and self-help books. But fiction can help to brighten your imagination and biography's can inspire.


• Meditating


• Scrapbook or make a LookBook


• Drawing
  Unleash your inner artist!


• Take a walk.


• Writing/Reading Poetry
  Unlock your emotions.


• Exercise


• Facial + Mani/Pedi


• Knit/Crochet
  This feels like another form of meditation, haha.


• Play a instrument.


• Learn something new.
  (language, religion, culture, instrument, dance move, ect.)

And those are just a few examples! There are so many other ways of spending raw, real, rewarding (RRR) time with yourself.

How do you spend your alone time?

xo Fennec