Monday, November 5, 2007

Being Green: Self Esteem

I'm a little like Kermit. I sometimes wish I was different; you know: tall, lithe, sensuous. I'd like an angelic voice, high cheekbones, narrow feet, and long fingers. It can be depressing to start listing all the things I'm not, and boring to list all the things I am. Have you ever felt this way?

Today I listened to a lovely woman run herself down. Pretty soon I was believing her about herself, and she didn't seem so lovely anymore. I could actually see what she meant! She was monotonous and uninteresting, and her smile seemed fake. There was nothing positive or compelling about her. Everything from her flawless skin to her big brown eyes, seemed dull. She wore her insecurities like big diamond earrings--you couldn't miss them. She appeared to be proud of them, as if they labeled her as humble or modest.

It's not conceited for a person to like herself! Kermit's song has lots wisdom to it. Here are the lyrics (by Joe Rapposo) with the word green changed to me.

It's Not Easy Being Me

It's not that easy bein' me;
Having to spend each day the color of the leaves.
When I think it could be nicer being red, or yellow or gold-
or something much more colorful like that.

It's not easy bein' me.
It seems I blend in with so many other ordinary things.
And people tend to pass me over 'cause I'm not standing out like flashy sparkles
in the water-or stars in the sky.

But I'm the color of Spring.
And I can be cool and friendly-like.
And I can be big like an ocean, or important like a mountain, or tall like a tree.

When I am all there is to be
It could make me wonder why, but why wonder why? Wonder,
I am me, and it'll do fine, I'm beautiful!
And I think it's what I want to be.

Oh, Kermie! Is he cute or what? No wonder Miss Piggy loved him. Come to think of it, she became famous because she flaunted herself. It inspires me to embrace my inner green.

7 comments:

kenju said...

I saw your comment about the other Sesame Street post, and I laughed about that. I loved the Muppets early on and still do!

Jake said...

You're right...I think it's very selfish and annoying when people keep listing all their flaws until you have to start agreeing with them. "Forget yourself and go to work."

Christie said...

I love the wisdom that comes from Kermit. Did you ever read the book, "The Genius of Oscar the Grouch and the Wisdom of Big Bird"? It is one of my favorite books. Such great lessons from little green puppets. I still love Sesame Street.

mama jo said...

you are so right...go kermit! we need to embrace ourselves...be confident in what we can do and not worry about what others think...

Joy Des Jardins said...

I love Kermie....and have always loved that song Marty.

As far as that young woman....it's never about what's on the outside....but everything to do with what's going on inside. That's what draws people to you...or keeps them away. She needs to find some real perspective.

Moon said...

It's so true..that u end up agreeing with someone who keeps on about whats wrong with them...Makes us look at ourselves and how we go on about ourselves sometimes without thinking...I am all for laughing at myself...I think everyone should, but I have also learned to accept compliments graciously...We are not perfect but we need to appreciate some of the good things more then focus on the things we don't like lol....I loved this post. I read your blog often, enjoy it very much, although I don't comment often.

karla said...

Wonderful words - thanks for the reminder!