I was at a wonderful Thanksgiving party at my Aunt and Uncle’s home when my cousin pulled out old video tapes of the family over the years. It was very touching that he took the time to do that for our enjoyment. There was one caveat. He noted at the beginning that it might be a little embarassing to me.
Do you remember that silly, awkward stage at around 9-11 years old where the hair cut isn’t quite right, the teeth might be a little crooked or have braces, you might have glasses and your hormones are causing you to do quite strange things? Well here I was with my family singing up a storm in CANDY CANE STRIPED PAJAMAS – with a drop bottom. I could have been the largest ornament on a Christmas tree! This wouldn’t have been so bad except I was the ONLY ONE in pajamas. The rest of my cousins were wearing NORMAL clothes.
After I got over the embarassment, I got to thinking. This was one time in my life and one place I felt completely comfortable to be who I was. I might have looked disheveled. I may have been awkward. I may not have said the “right” things, but it didn’t matter. I wore what I wanted and sang my heart out in that living room at the top of my lungs – and gosh darnit! My family still loved me.
I still have my version of candy cane pajamas. When I work from home, I am in comfortable clothes in my environment. I am most creative when I am not concerned about what I look like.
It’s rather ironic that when we are the most comfortable – in our clothes and in our skin – that we are wearing the “red dress” of authenticity, pure creativity and standing out.
So I ask you – where are your candy cane pajamas and where do you wear them? You don’t have to stand out in a bad way. Just show up as who you are, regardless of the situation – and don’t be afraid to sing at the top of your lungs. We’ll still love you.
