In the beginning...there were labels.

     I had started this section of my blog a few weeks ago to blow-off some steam and as an extension of blog work in one of my graduate courses, but I think it is time to take a different approach. If you follow me on facebook, I am going to use this blog to share my story...what makes me unique and common all at the same time! It took a friend that recently heard my "whole" life journey that encouraged me to share my path with the world! So, here it goes...

     I was born in the early 1980s to a fairly traditional family: high school sweethearts that had been married for a few years, working in small-town USA and making their own way in the world. The only thing that made us fairly non-traditional...my Grandpa was Mayor of our quaint little town, which gives you a bit of celebrity status (not really, it just makes me sound cool). I grew up in the public spotlight, didn't mind addressing a crowd by the time I could talk and learned that politics would always play some sort of role in my life. I am the oldest (and most special) of two children and must admit that I played the part of big sister quite well. I tattled, made a mud pie and convinced him to take a bite, and screamed like a girl if he even looked at my Barbie house set-up; you know, typical sibling love! But don't even think about picking on my brother, that's my job, and I'll smack you ten shades of sideways if you mess with him :) We were a fairly normal, average American family. So what makes my journey so different from everyone else? I'm not your typical, run-of-the-mill girl; I was created in a unique way that allowed me to look at life from a fairly different perspective. There are many layers to my uniqueness, some more complex than others, but all of them have played a role in where I am today.

     I was chubby (still am), tormented for being chubby, a head taller than most for the majority of my life,  contended with a rare hip disorder that left me as a case study for the medical books AND I marched to the beat of my own drum. Yes, my OWN drum! Why would I want to march to the beat of someone elses, especially if they were unkind? I am not saying that I am blameless and have never been unkind to someone, I have, trust me. But why continually remind someone that their feature/action/quirk that differs from your view of social normalcy is not only different, but makes them less of a person? Did any of my quirks impact their life? Nope! Did their stupidity impact mine? Yep!

    Seriously...is someone less of a person because they don't fit a cookie-cutter mold? No way! Granted, it is MUCH easier to accept my social abnormalities as an adult than it was as a child, but I like the fact that I am different from most. However, society doesn't seem to be able to exist without labels. I may be successful, good looking (so full of myself), educated and an active community member, but it is obviously some type of miracle because the label of "fat" proceeds all of that. And I love when people seem somewhat shocked when a plus-sized woman walks in somewhere in a stylish outfit, or anything other than a tablecloth for that matter, and makes comments like "she's a big woman and still can look classy"...seriously? My skinny friends are stylish too, imagine that, skinny people have class. Chubby people have class. Anyone that wants to can have class. Wow...such a novel concept :) Though labels do not stop with the weight issue, never has and never will. One of my all-time favorite "label moments" happened at a regionally located hospital when a male volunteer was escorting me to a conference room for a meeting. He apologized for walking so quickly and stated that working in a health care setting makes you fast-paced, even when it isn't necessary. I explained that I understood because I was married to a nurse. The man stopped dead in his tracks, spun around towards me faster than the speed of light, raised his eyebrows and squawked "a male nurse"? Well yes, the last time I checked, he was a male and why does it matter if my spouse is male, female or an alien species? I don't know if he was more shocked by the fact that a male was a nurse or the potential that I was in a relationship with a female. However, he made his judgment, hurriedly walked me to the conference room and left without saying another word. Yes, I am well-aware that nursing is a profession dominated by females, but the male population within the field is growing. So is it necessary to use such gender-based terminology? "Male nurse"...he also drives truck, so is he a "male truck driver"?  When that terminology is used, I really want to be like yes, he's a nurse, a nurse with a penis. Wouldn't that get me some funny looks?

     Take a moment and think of a time where a label impacted you in some way. Was it a label placed on you or one you placed on another? We all have done it, I am guilty too. Maybe you glanced over an amazingly pretty/handsome person because they were a little overweight and your friends MIGHT tease you. Maybe you decided not be friends with the art major because they are thought to be too "out there". Maybe you stayed away from someone that believed in a different religion, because you knew that they would try to convert you. Now, find an opportunity to remove the use of negative labels in your life, do not let them define you. You can call me fat, more power to you, but there is a WHOLE lot more to me than just some extra cells. I'm a curvy, vivacious, compassionate, trail-blazing, fun-loving female. Lose the labels, love the person!

The world is a stage and I intend to use it as such! My name is Nicole and I am your run-of-the-mill nearly thirty-something professional that is trying to make the most out of life...which leaves a lot of questions and ideas to ponder. This past spring, I decided that my life needed a little more spark, so I made the decision to go back and pursue my Master's degree in management...what a choice! I'm learning to balance the delicate harmony of work, family, school and community. This blog will be a place where I express my thoughts, frustrations, ideas and general random comments. I hope you enjoy joining me on this journey they call life :)

Blessings,
Nicole