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I’m Mr. Groovy and I have a fabulous life. Did you know that I’ve been on Radical Personal Finance and Stacking Benjamins? Did you know that I’ve been featured on Rockstar Finance so many times I’ve lost count? [Mrs. Groovy: I haven’t. Ten times between the two of us.] Oh, and did I forget to mention that Freedom Is Groovy had over 50K visitors last month?
Yes, things are wonderful in Groovyland—at least superficially, anyway. After all, Mrs. Groovy and I have been blogging for almost two years now and this website has generated a grand total of $0.00 for all of our efforts.
The digital era has made us all very adept at promoting what’s right in our lives. And that’s perfectly understandable. What earthly good would come of going on Facebook to announce that you lost the mortgage payment at the race track, your son blew the SAT, and your spouse got a DWI?
And, yet, portraying a non-stop sanitized version of yourself in the digital world doesn’t seem right either. We’re all human, after all. We do screw up.
One of the things I admire most about personal finance bloggers is that they do broadcast their setbacks and failures. It’s not all sunshine and lollipops. Savings goals are missed. Credit card bills aren’t paid in full every month. And work gets in the way of exercise and home-cooked meals.
Well, in keeping with this fine PF blogging tradition, I’ve decided to get real. It’s time to remind myself and my readers that I’m not all that, that I don’t have everything figured out. Yes, I’m just as screwed up as everyone else is, perhaps even more so.
Okay, groovy freedomists, let the self-flagellation begin.
The Not So Groovy Mr. Groovy
I have a weird body. My upper body responds very well to bodyweight exercises (push ups, pull ups, muscle ups, etc.). My lower body, however, doesn’t. No matter how many air squats or split squats I do, I still have no ass and bird legs. Unless I start doing dead lifts with some serious weight, I will forever resemble Muscle Duck from Looney Tunes fame. [Mrs. Groovy: As long as you’re bigger than me, you’re good.]
I don’t photograph well. That’s partly why you only know me as a purple-colored cat. I have a misshapen head and I’m balding. I have nice blue eyes, though. [Mrs Groovy: That’s dreamy baby blue eyes.]
I haven’t been a good friend lately. A friend from my former job called me three weeks ago and I haven’t returned his phone call. [Mrs. Groovy: But you texted him.] I also haven’t spoken to my four really good childhood buddies in months. And I don’t know why. I keep telling myself that I’ll make those phone calls “tomorrow,” but I never do. [Mrs. Groovy: They don’t call you either. But you can do better.]
I also haven’t been a good nephew as well. My great aunt is in her mid-90s and is starting to wind down. She was my grandmother’s best friend and she always made me these fantastic lemon meringue pies. A truly wonderful person. But for some reason I haven’t spoken to her in nearly a year. And I feel like utter crap about that. [Mrs. Groovy: We’ll change that this weekend and call her. Don’t forget about that ten-pound Italian cheese cake she baked for us to take home last time we saw her.]
My driving skills have seriously deteriorated. The glare at night is hard to bear and I’m becoming a menace in parking lots. Mrs. Groovy has saved me from countless accidents. [Mrs. Groovy: Being that I don’t drive, the least I can do is be an excellent co-pilot.]
I still snap at Mrs. Groovy when I’m not feeling well or I’m frustrated. I’m much better at controlling my emotions than I was earlier in my marriage. But I still need to work on this. Mrs. Groovy is the best thing that ever happened to me and she deserves better. [Mrs. Groovy: At least you don’t shout and curse like I do. You’re the best thing that ever happened to me too, baby.]
I gave up TV but now I watch way too much YouTube. And to make matters worse, I’m watching some really weird stuff. Take a look at the shirtless fellow below. He’s probably my favorite YouTube personality right now and it’s freaking Mrs. Groovy out. [Mrs. Groovy: I’m speechless.]
I have at least a half dozen home-improvement projects that I have failed to make any progress on during the last six months. Perhaps this weekend I’ll finally fix that leaky faucet in my bathroom. Or perhaps I’ll just do what I’ve been doing every weekend for months; I’ll just empty that little Tupperware bowl I placed under the leak. [Mrs. Groovy: Maybe you can start with something simpler like removing all the bird crap from our mailbox?]
Starting January 1st, I promised myself I would write at least 200 words a day on an ebook I want to publish, The Groovy Guide to Personal Finance. Well to date, I have about 10 pages of incoherent scribblings. Consider this 2017 goal an epic fail. [Mrs. Groovy: If you cut back on that YouTube sh*t you’ll get a lot more writing done.]
And, finally, I have another epic fail to share. Last month I boldly announced on Stacking Benjamins that I would be introducing a weekly vlog on our website of me picking up litter and sharing my warped thoughts on personal finance. It’s a great idea and should be a lot of fun—especially if I can get a guest blogger every now and then to join me on my litter-picking excursions (hello Claudia, Garrett, Fritz, and Ms Montana). But after my first attempt to record my litter-picking ended in utter failure (damn, my lame smartphone), I haven’t bothered to make a second attempt. And for the life of me, I don’t know why. Pathetic. [Mrs. Groovy: Cut yourself some slack. You’ve had a rotten cold for almost three weeks and before that it rained for ten days.]
Final Thoughts
Thomas Jefferson once remarked that “the price of liberty is eternal vigilance.” That’s a great quote, and a great reminder of the tenuous nature of freedom. It’s also a great template for expressing the tenuous nature of virtue. Here’s my attempt.
“The price of being a good person is eternal willingness to recognize your flaws and do your best to fix them.”
Okay, groovy freedomists, that’s all I got. What say you? Is it important in our hyper-connected world to keep it real every now and then and broadcast our shortcomings? Will doing so make us more grounded? Will doing so help our audience? Or is any exercise in humility a colossal exercise in futility? Let me know what you think when you get a chance. Grease for peace.
Best read all day!!! Honest. The reason blogging became so popular was because it was a human voice in a flood of digital imagery. I have my own failures and concerns with social media. I constantly remind myself that I started my blog to hold myself accountable not fill my days worrying about Tweets and traffic! I just wrote a blog about forgiveness and I place as my first step toward a profitable life for many good reasons. Don’t feel bad, Mr. Groovy. Our imperfections are what people REALLY want to hear about. And if you are ever in southern California, I’ll help you and the Mrs. pick up trash any day.
“The reason blogging became so popular was because it was a human voice in a flood of digital imagery.”
The Lady has warmed my heart. That one sentence nailed what I was trying to articulate. Sharing our warts is sometimes just as meaningful as sharing our glories.
Thanks for stopping by, Erica. You made my day.
P.S. My nephew lives near Los Angeles, so don’t be surprised if Mrs. Groovy and I reach out to you in the near future. The war against trash, even in beautiful Southern California, never rests, and we could always use another warrior.
Glad to hear we won’t have to read and see pictures of you picking up litter. A noble idea and I hope you do it…just don’t want too many details about it. Other than the litter post you are pretty groovy.
Haha! I hear ya, Julia. I’ll keep my litter details within the bounds of good taste.
Excellent post!
The problem today with social media sites like Facebook is we get the highlight reel and not the behind the scenes shot.
I use Facebook like many of us but it usually doesn’t depict our flaw, weaknesses and struggles.
We are all flawed! Thanks for keeping it real!
WLM
Also, self-awareness is listed as one of the most important traits of a successful leader so knowing what your strengths and weaknesses are is so important on so many levels.
WLM
Agreed. Self-awareness is a critical skill to learn. It’s also a little scary. Once you develop it, you can’t help but look at yourself, especially your past self, and see nothing but an utter fool. Meh.
So true, WLM. We need to glimpse “behind the scenes” every now and then. Without them, we’ll become very delusional.
I laughed out loud more than once reading this. Whatever your faults, Mr. Groovy, you are hysterical. That is one of the most wonderful things any person in this world can be.
Aw, thank you, Linda. Your comment made my day.
Love the honesty and self-awareness here. None of us is perfect and it’s damn good we aren’t. If everyone was perfect, things would be pretty boring 🙂
If you do ever get the litter pick-up blog going and I’m in the area, I’d be more than happy to bag some trash with you!
I’m holding you to this, Chris. I should be in the Madison, Wisconsin area in the next couple of years.
Awesome! When I go hiking with my wife and kids I typically bring a bag with for any trash we find.
If we end up in the southeast again anytime soon, I’ll let you know 🙂
This is a great post, no one is perfect but we can all make a tiny effort to be a tiny perfector every day… or stay in bed and watch youtube, I can get perfect tomorrow!
Haha! I love it. “[W]e can all make a tiny effort to be a tiny perfector every day…or [we can] stay in bed and watch YouTube.” One of the best quotes I’ve heard all year, Xyz. Thanks for stopping by.
Wouldn’t life be boring if we were all perfect? What would we talk / moan about?
50k views in a month – respect!
Exactly, Erith. Having a Stepford wife or a Stepford husband would surely be a kind of hell. After all, as you so aptly pointed out, what fun would there be if we didn’t have anything to talk or moan about? To kvetch is human! And I hear you about the 50k. Mrs. Groovy and I are in shock. We’re just two little old country bloggers, and we can’t fathom 100,000 eyeballs reading our words. We live in amazing times. Thanks for stopping by, Erith. Always a pleasure hearing from you.
I had a heart to heart chat with a male friend of mine this weekend in which we confessed our feelings for each other (after a LOT of alcohol, beating around the bush, and rambling sentences at 130 am). He asked me why I would be interested in someone who’s a huge wreck like him. I told him it’s because I’m not perfect. I see his flaws… and I like him in spite of the flaws. There is beauty in the breakdown. No one is perfect! I don’t do laundry as often as I should. He drinks more than he should. I see his flaws as enhancing his strengths… the brightness doesn’t look as bright unless it’s compared to darkness. Then it shines! Just like all our flaws.
“[T]he brightness doesn’t look as bright unless it’s compared to darkness. Then it shines! Just like all our flaws.”
Whoa, Gwen! How did you acquire so much wisdom. I love the way your brain works. And thanks for sharing such a wonderful story. I hope your male friend appreciates how awesome you are–despite all your flaws. Cheers.
[Mrs. Groovy: As long as you’re bigger than me, you’re good.] ROFL! This is the gauge I use for Rick’s physical appearance. 🙂 and Rick has dreamy baby blue eyes too! And Italian cheesecake? Okay, I GOTTA look that one up – YUMMALICIOUS!
Mr. Groovy, you’re perfect for Mrs. Groovy, and that’s all that matters. Rick and I were just telling the kids yesterday that the reason we decided to get married was because we loved that we were both weird. It’s all good, flaws and all. 🙂
Haha! You nailed it, Laurie. Mrs. Groovy and I were indeed made for each other. Two imperfect souls building a bulwark of love against a heartless world. I tease her that I saved her from becoming a cat lady, and she teases me that she saved me from starting the Long Island Militia. It sounds like you and Rick are the perfect imperfect couple as well. Wouldn’t it be great if more people embraced their weirdness? Thanks for stopping by, Laurie. As usual, you made me smile and lifted my spirits.
P.S. I can’t believe I forgot all about that cheesecake. It had to weigh about 10 lbs and it was YUMMALICIOUS.
Thanks to both of you for making my morning. I was giggling so hard coffee was coming out of my nose. (there’s your not so perfect image…)
I do know revealing my struggles helps me feel not so alone, far more than when I try to boast about any triumphs.
Failure may be an orphan but he certainly isn’t alone. The nice thing about our species is that we’re naturally drawn to stories of redemption and of the misfit doing something great. There is hope for us! Thanks for stopping by, Emily. I’m sorry your coffee took a side trip through your olfactory byways, but it’s a great image and it made Mrs. Groovy and I like you even more.
It’s nice to hear that you’re not putting out the Facebook or Instagram point of view that you’re perfect and nothing could ever be wrong with your life.
I think people are gravitating towards real people and away from the fake stuff we see on TV and magazines. Thank goodness 🙂
Thanks as always for sharing and I always feel like I learn something new from you two 🙂
I remember a while back when a close friend of mine was lamenting the competitiveness of the New York Jets. He was absolutely flabbergasted when I told him I didn’t give a crap about the Jets and I was more interested in him having a great year. For the life of me, I don’t understand the celebrity worship that so many people are afflicted with. I’m with you MSM. Give me real, imperfect people trying to make something of their lives. I really don’t care who our betters say have the hottest bods, the best smiles, and the most interesting lives. Aaarrrggghhhh!
I for one love the honesty! Count me as a no butt chicken legged mishappen misfit as well. We are Legion!
I felt like I was reading a check list of my own shortcomings.
Never return phone calls…check
Not photogenic…check
Weird YouTube watching habits…check (okay maybe not that weird)
You’re in good company. I appreciate you keeping it real!
Hahahahahaha! Made my day, MSF. Hail to all the world’s no butt chicken legged mishappen misfits! It’s not the meek who will inherit the world, it’s the misfits.
Appreciate your transparency and I agree we definitely pick and choose what we share and promote in our lives, and it’s usually only the things that are good. That’s why people go gangbusters whenever they travel, go to a cool event, etc.
Thank you, DC. Your comment is spot on. It’s like we’ve all gone to college for marketing and we’re all our own PR agents. Perfection has its place. But after a while, even that gets boring.
Love this Mr. G. Somehow exposing your “flaws” only makes your shine a bit brighter! (Awwwww)
The sanitized society we live in is not only pure BS, but it’s got some nasty side effects as well. I ditched my non-blog social accounts about 5 years ago and I don’t miss a thing.
Looking forward to hearing those velvety pipes as you vlog your own community sanitation efforts. I’d love to be a guest if we can ever swing it! Perhaps in Dallas if you come to FinCon? Or maybe my business travels will get me within striking distance of you one day.
Keep up the groovy work!
Thanks, Ty. I really appreciate your kind words. I’m making my second attempt at recording my litter picking tomorrow. Got my fingers crossed. I’m determined to broadcast my first episode of Talking Trash with Mr. Groovy this Friday.
You are the fabulous Mr. Groovy!
Groovy you are awesome man, and not anyone be perfect in the world, so don’t worry, and some are smart enough and some are not,
well writing
i appreciate you
Thank you for sharing
Thank you, Swaloven. Yes, there’s beauty in imperfection.
Thank you for this post. Nobody is perfect. I truly appreciate your humility. I too can be snappy with my wife when I am hungry. I have the opposite issue than you in the gym. I have always had big & strong legs, but a weaker upper body. I am just happy to still be hitting the gym everyday for a 40 year guy. Also, family relations are hard because of all the emotions tied to those relationships. Today, I just try to do my best and make progress were it is possible.
Hey, Dave. I hear ya. I don’t know too many people who don’t wear humility well. It’s a good attitude to have. And that’s great you’re still lifting weights in your 40s. You’re a better man than I. My weight-lifting career ended in my mid-30s. Thanks for stopping by, my friend. It’s always great hearing from you. Cheers.
Egads! Some of what you wrote is close enough to home that I squirmed just a bit. At least I’m in good company.
I’ll check out weird shirtless guy when I have a few minutes, and maybe Mrs. Grumby and I can help you pick up litter some time next year when we plan on being your neck of the woods.
Thanks, Mr. G. I really appreciate your kind words. Yeah, give Styx a try when you get a chance. Definitely unusual, but he slams both Republicans and Democrats and that’s very refreshing in our hyper-partisan media.
I am with Mrs Groovy on the YouTube dude you have found, mail him an undershirt.
Anyway, as you know I am a fan of honesty (and appreciate you linking to my post) the FI life and pursuit is a great thing, but we can’t sugarcoat the journey, there is always bumps along the way.
Anytime I see the words “keep it real” I think about the Dave Chapelle skit “when keeping it real goes wrong”. Not safe for work, but worth a youtube watch.
I can’t believe Styxhexenhammer666 isn’t getting any love. Yes, his shirtless chest is a bit unnerving. But the guy actually delivers a lot of thoughtful ruminations on our incredibly screwed up world. And I think I’ve seen that Dave Chapelle “keep it real” skit. Is that the one where the guy gets the crap beat out of him in some night club? Thanks for stopping by, AE. Always love hearing from one the realest bloggers out there.
Honestly, there’s a good middle ground here. Watch this Styxhexenhammer666 video, and then if you’re blood is boiling thinking of all this foolish suffering at the hands of those who sell false utopian ideals, check out “when keeping it real goes wrong.” You can’t not laugh.
Haha! Just went to YouTube and checked out a bunch of “when keeping it real goes wrong” videos. Man, there are a lot of stupid people in this world. We’re such a flawed species.
Being moderately addicted to YouTube isn’t all bad. It’s often better than the crap that’s on TV (do we seriously need another ‘reality’ series aimed at the lowest common denominator? ).
At least you’re not addicted to watching endless online porn………………oooops, have I said too much already?
You mean YouTube has topless women in addition to topless men? Haha. I love it, Martin. You are so right. Give me YouTube over cable television any day. I’ve definitely had my fill of “reality” shows.
You and this post are fabulous, Mr. G! I love everything about this. In fact, you’ve inspired me to write my own. As I was reading, in the back of my mind, I’m thinking “I hope my blog doesn’t look like one big, fake Facebook status report”. I love your honesty and I can relate to many of the “flaws” you list here (except the butt and bird legs). 🙂 Have a great weekend, Groovies!
No way, Amanda. Your blog is the farthest thing there is from a Facebook page. You never shy away from detailing your setbacks and woes. And that’s what Mrs. G and I love about your blog. Inspiration and realism. You can’t go wrong when you frequent Centsiblyrich. Thanks for stopping by, Amanda. Have a great weekend as well.
Since we’re all flawed, then aren’t we perfect the way we are? 🙂 Do you have too many goals, maybe? I started cutting back on the work I was taking on and it’s make a huge difference–life has a little more balance, though I know Mrs. G doesn’t like that word, it’s kind of fitting this week. 😉
I’m definitely looking forward to trash collection. Trash pickup is like a box of chocolates…gross ones, anyway. HA!
Haha! Mrs. G was thinking the same thing. I think it’s time to cut back on some of my goals. I’d really like to learn Spanish and I’d really like to write my ebook. Perhaps I’ll stick to those two goals and let the others slide for the rest of the year. And I hear ya about equating trash pick up with a box of chocolates. I policed a few lover lanes in my public servant career. And it was rough. You would think Monday would be the worst day. But actually it was Thursday or Friday. I guess my community’s star-crossed lovers couldn’t wait until the weekend for a heaping dose of connubial bliss. Yuck.
You two are fabulous. I love how your blog is truly a team project, and you both live with humor and grace. Thanks for the smiles and the life lessons.
Aw, thank you, Julie. You’re way too kind. And don’t think I’ve forgotten about you. We’re coming to Arizona next year, and I won’t leave the state until you pick up some litter with me.
I was thinking the exact same thing as Julie here. I love the team combination of you and Mrs. G! That is really a unique thing in the PF community!
I wonder how much not feeling well and the crappy weather have affected your motivation too. When we “work” – and feel crappy, you still have to go in and get it done (unless you are REALLY sick in my business). Since this isn’t “work” – laying around watching YouTube is a fine thing to do in your recovery. If you feel great and keep doing that in place of things you really wanted to do – then I’d worry. I hope we get to catch up down the road – as we travel the East Coast from NY to FL or out west on some of our adventures!
Vicki, you read my mind. I really want to learn Spanish, so I decided to dedicate MWF to Spanish. If I watch Netflix or YouTube, it can be only something in Spanish (i.e., La Reina del Sur or Butterfly Spanish). Every man has his vice, I think YouTube was becoming mine. And I have’t forgotten about you in Western New York. I’m dying to do what I dub the Rust Belt tour–Detroit to Cleveland to Buffalo. How’s that for a great vacation! Well, whenever we hit Buffalo, we’ll let you know. Perhaps we can meet in Batavia or Geneseo?
I like cats & I like purple, so you look pretty photogenic from where I’m sitting.
And considering that the mirror isn’t as kind to me as it once was, I’ll take your compliment and run with it. Thanks for stopping by, Donna. You made a purple cat in North Carolina very happy.
I’m not sure if broadcasting our flaws helps us to overcome them, but it surely helps us to see that we’re not alone. My body is more Santa Claus-esque. I am notoriously bad at staying in touch with friends and relatives. Since an accident a few years ago, I barely drive at all. I’ve become addicted to watching cable news in the afternoon. Ok, well the morning, afternoon, and late night. I’ve considered vlogging and ebook writing and dallied in both with no viewable results. Snapping at a spouse during times of stress seems like something most everyone does. Anyway, what I’m saying is either I’m also Mr. Groovy (nope, there can be only one), or your flaws aren’t that unusual. And while we should strive to do better, we should also cut ourselves some slack once in awhile.
“And while we should strive to do better, we should also cut ourselves some slack once in awhile.”
Amen, brother. Truly words to live by. Thanks for sharing your wisdom, my friend. It’s always great hearing from a another Northerner with a weird body.
Your honesty is refreshing Mr. Groovy. We are all imperfect. Embrace imperfection!
How true! Embracing our imperfections isn’t always easy or fun. But in the long run, we’ll be mentally tougher and happier. Thanks for stopping by, Philip. I like the cut of your jib.
Hey, thanks for sharing your shortcomings! Sorry to hear about your butt. As a fellow flat-butted person, I sympathize.
Flat-butt people of the world unite! The flat butt has to be good for something, right? The only thing I can think of right now is that when we get older, we’ll look better and our pants will fit better when put on our Depends. If I can think of anything else, I’ll let you know. Thanks for stopping by, Mrs. PP. You always manage to put a smile on my face.
As someone who is always searching YouTube to flatten her butt, I can tell you there are many more videos about making them bigger than making them smaller. (I know that’s just what you need, Mrs. PP, one more thing on your list.)
Everyone has flaws/quirks. I prefer quirks, it sounds better. I think it’s great that you share them, to help other people realize that they aren’t alone in theirs. My main goal is to keep my quirks clear of my money, so I’m not shooting myself in the wallet.
I like that, Barnaby. Quirks are a more apt description. Procrastinating, falling short of a goal, having a weird body–these are all quirks. Stealing, cheating, being a total narcissist–those are flaws. If we handle money well and only have quirks, we’re doing pretty darn good. Thanks for providing us with a keener understanding. I love it.
You, Brian and I must be from the same gene pool. My buddies at the gym give me sh#t all the time that I can curl almost my squat weight. Besides after a heavy leg day you can barely walk the next day. Give me a bike and I’m good.
I hear ya, Jeff. I know I got to start a little weight training for the legs, but I’m not even considering squats. That’s pure torture. Whoever thought that it was a wonderful idea to put three or four hundred pounds on your back and do a deep knee bend? I’ll stick to dead lifts. And if that doesn’t cure my bird legs, ah well.
Keeping it real! More in love with you and Mrs. G than I was before. 🙂
Other than watching that shirtless fellow (I tried…I failed) I think many of us can relate to these things.
Rest up from your cold, get some sunshine and fresh air, and call your Aunt. The rest will come (except maybe the legs.) You are pretty Fabulous after all.
Aw, thank you, Amy. You made my day. And the shirtless fellow (Styx) is an acquired taste. What I like about him is he’s a raging libertarian in ultra blue state Vermont. I’m so tired of the boxed-in stereotypical personalities the media keep shoving down our throats. The conservative white guy. The liberal gay guy. The black gal who sees racism and micro-aggressions everywhere she looks. It’s so tired and boring. So I’m so delighted when I come across someone who breaks the mold. Ever hear of Tammy Bruce? She’s a gun-toting lesbian from California. How about Crystal Wright. She has a website called Conservative Black Chick. Do I always like what these three people have to say? Of course not. They’re all nuts. But they’re all DIFFERENT. And I’m so sick of the ideological plantation the media have carved up for every group.
No ass and bird legs? Have you been talking to my wife? She describes my legs as chicken legs.
All good Mr. G! Owning up to the not so good stuff is half the battle. Hopefully all those people you haven’t called back are reading this post.
What evolutionary purpose did no ass and bird legs provide? If you want proof of God, look no further than a man with no ass sitting atop two bird legs. Nature wouldn’t allow such twisted traits to survive. Only divine intervention explains them. Thanks for stopping by, Brian. It’s always great hearing from someone else who is cursed with no ass and chicken legs.
“Mrs. Groovy: If you cut back on that YouTube sh*t you’ll get a lot more writing done.”
I laughed out loud on this one.
You are doing fine Mr. Groovy. Whenever I miss on goals, I realize that maybe those goals aren’t aligned with my values and dreams anyway.
Thanks for sharing – have a good weekend 🙂
“Whenever I miss on goals, I realize that maybe those goals aren’t aligned with my values and dreams anyway.”
That is so freakin’ true. We all have a lot of goals. But are we willing to endure the costs of obtaining those goals? If the costs are too high, then the goals weren’t anything more than wishes. We wanted the results but we couldn’t bear the pain. Thanks for stopping by, Erik. As usual, you said an awful lot in a few pithy sentences. Have a great weekend as well. Cheers.
Thanks for putting this together! You’re right in a world that accentuates the home runs it’s a relief to see other’s flaws. Besides, it’s always interesting to see the flaws in others because we often see our own so clearly. Unfortunately we are rarely able to find flaws in the people we like.
What I noticed while I read this was that your flaws are wide ranging. Some are biological, flaws that are completely out of your control such as balding and weird legs. Others were temporary screw ups that you plan to remedy in the future such as calling others and home repairs. And some were you setting high goals and challenging yourself then being bummed about reaching your goals such as 200 words and vlogging.
I believe there are a few core areas in everyone’s lives that they want to succeed at. For some it’s finances, relationships, and comfort. For others its popularity, education, and health. It’s different for everyone. I honestly fail at personal health. It’s not a priority to me so I don’t work out. On the other hand I feel like I’m succeeding in other, more important, areas.
While personal humility is important, no one likes a bragger, I think understanding how/why we fail is far more valuable in the long run. As humans we can’t be exceptional in all areas of life but if we are succeeding in the areas that are important to us then we should at least be willing to pat ourselves on the back for it!
The most educational part of this post was reading Mrs. Groovy’s comments. I found myself agreeing with her point of view a majority of the time. Additionally, they reminded me of my girlfriend’s responses whenever I bring up my own flaws. Typically I disagree with my girlfriend but after reading this I’ve learned that I should start listening to other’s perception of me because they might be more right than I’m willing to admit.
“…I think understanding how/why we fail is far more valuable in the long run. As humans we can’t be exceptional in all areas of life but if we are succeeding in the areas that are important to us then we should at least be willing to pat ourselves on the back for it!”
Holy crap, Kraken. There’s a lot of wisdom in your comment, but your above two sentences nailed it. And you’re absolutely right about Mrs. G. She’s a peach and I would be even more flawed without her. Thanks for stopping by, my friend. I really appreciate what you contributed to our conversation. Great freakin’ stuff.
P.S. Sounds like your girlfriend is a peach too. Don’t let her get away.
50K?! That is amazing and I didn’t even notice the lack of monetization/ads until now! (That’s how oblivious I am.)
“The price of being a good person is eternal willingness to recognize your flaws and do your best to fix them.”
Why, that sounds like something Personal Responsibility Warrior would say! Pssssha :p
Hahahahaha! You made my day, Lily. Hail the Personal Responsibility Warrior!
This is really what I needed to see right now. I’ve been pretty busy and distracted and got sidetracked from a lot of things that I said I would do, but somehow a convenient “excuse” always pops up that prevents me from doing it.
Would broadcasting my shortcomings have any effect? I think in the short term it might have a positive effect. Because if you are “concerned” about how other people might view you, then you would take more action to rectify them. However in the long term unless there is a really strong desire to change, if not it probably won’t make much of a difference.
Although by sharing what you’re going through, I am sure your audience will be able to see that every great person has their flaws. And the first step to changing them, is to recognise them.
I love the way your mind works, T. How about this for making oneself accountable: you broadcast your shortcomings and you get spouse? As long as your spouse isn’t a shrinking violet, that’s a one-two punch that will surely keep your flaws in check. Thanks for stopping by, my friend. It’s always great to hear your two cents.
Everyone has faults. I agree with Ms. Montana. The key is to know what they are. You can then either fix them, or more likely mitigate them. Besides, it makes for a quite funny blog post;)
Agreed, FTF. Part of this also has to do with Facebook. Everyone on Facebook has a charmed life. It’s almost like you’re stepping onto the set of The Donna Reed Show or Leave It To Beaver. And I can’t take it anymore. Life isn’t perfect. Sh#t happens. And I just wanted to pay homage to my blogging buddies by admitting to some of my flaws. A little introspection does the soul good.
You are the fabulous Mr. Groovy!
And everyone has faults. The only difference is some are smart enough to know what theirs are, and confidant enough to admit them because they know that their faults aren’t the whole picture.
The other option is to be delusional or so insecure that you can’t own your crap. And that is not fabulous!
And now I get the pick up trash. =) Maybe we can go to the landfill. I’m sure they have some trash there. =)
Aw, thanks Ms. M. You’re much too kind. And I know Montana is a beautiful state. But there’s got to be some roadside litter somewhere, right? Do we really need to visit a landfill?
Montana isn’t willing to admit to having any road side litter. I’ve tried to tell her it’s ok, she has all these amazing mountains and lakes and no one will think less of her for a bit of trash.
She still feels a little insecure after the unabomber, and freemen standoff. I tell her that was the 90’s. Who even remembers what happened in the 90’s???
Definitely. All is forgiven. I’m sure we’ll find an errant soda bottle somewhere. If not, we’ll still have plenty to talk about as we go a-searching for litter. Can’t wait.