If I could lighten up

I gave a speech yesterday to a graduating class from a career training initiative at the shelter where I work. I wanted something fresh, lively, inspiring to read the class at the beginning of my talk.

I checked out quotes on the Internet, browsed through my documents, and came upon a piece, "If I could lighten up".

I read it and, just as happened the first time I read it, I smiled and thought, "Yes!" Like Eliza Doolittle, "She's got it!"

What's amazing and wonderful for me about this piece is, it was written by my eldest daughter, Alexis, two and a half years ago when she was 22. She posted it on her blog (a place she doesn't write in enough) and agreed to let me share it with others.

I share it with you today in the hopes, it will inspire you, as it did the group yesterday, to stand up and cheer and say, I wanna lighten up the world!

If I Could Lighten Up!

© Alexis McDonald

If I could lighten up a little I’d let myself sing as loudly as possible and I wouldn’t care if the neighbours heard.

If I could lighten up a little I’d jump on the bed. I would move to Paris and dye my hair a rich shade of red. I would take deeper breaths, stay up all night, and read poetry to strangers. I would dance. Naked. In front of a mirror. And I’d laugh at the way my flesh jiggles.

If I could lighten up a little I would take bubble baths, read more, and make decisions quickly without agonizing over the outcomes. I would breathe and forgive myself for making mistakes. I would cheer loudly at hockey games just for the hell of it. I would do cannonballs off the diving board. I’d paint with my feet and relish the goo sliding between my toes.

I would do more work and less procrastinating.

I would build sandcastles too close to the incoming tide. I would dress up in gowns and make fake Oscar speeches. I would sit inside grocery carts and have someone push me down the aisles. I would just get my license already.

I would hug people instead of shaking their hand, kiss everyone on both cheeks, and when I laughed it would be from the depths of my joy.

I would stop complaining about the weather and get dressed in the dark. I’d shake out my worries by shaking my soul.

If I could lighten up a little maybe I wouldn’t be so scared. Maybe I could shake the blues with a strawberry milkshake.

Maybe I would be able to take a breath without choking on my tears.

Maybe I’d get over all the things I can’t do, haven’t done, don’t want to do or haven’t done right.

Maybe I’d throw my hands up in the air and proclaim “How fascinating” before I had the chance to knock myself down.

Maybe I would be less selfish, more selfless. Less fake, more real.

Maybe I would surprise myself with how great I really am.

Maybe I’d take less and give more. Maybe I would have the courage to get closer to God. Maybe I would appreciate the moment and live from the heart.

If I could lighten up a little, maybe I would help to light up the world.

Alexis, you lighten up my world every day!