I spent a good part of the morning working on this blog only to end up trashing the whole thing this afternoon.  

I was frustrated with my writing.  

Sick of the cold weather.

I couldn’t get the story right.

And I was fed up with deadlines.

Just when I was about to scream and throw my laptop across the room (okay, that’s an exaggeration), I went to my library of blogs and scrolled through to choose one at random to use instead.

I made a promise to myself long ago that I would always use previous blogs when the spirit wasn’t moving me.  That way this weekly commitment would remain fun rather than become a homework assignment.

So, when the cursor landed on a link and I clicked to see which blog showed up, I laughed out loud. 

The Universe has quite a sense of humor. 

There’s nothing like my own advice to set me straight.

So, if you need an invitation to shake, rattle, and roll, this one’s for you, too .

Why you need to listen to your inner brat.

Okay, I’m officially over winter. It’s bitter cold here today and the windchill makes it impossible to go out for a walk. And if my skin gets any drier, I’m going to become a human sanding machine. 

I know I should think good thoughts, focus on the positive, or be grateful.

But I don’t want to. 

Right now I’m a little fed up with the whole “think positive,” self-care thing. I’d like someone else to handle the caretaking of me for a while. 

You know, like a stand-in who could think good thoughts for me, exercise on my behalf, and brave the winter months with grace and ease. 

(And while they’re at it, I’d like them to empty my inbox, finish my to-do list, cook supper, and get my tax stuff in order, too) 

I have an inner brat who likes to visit now and then to have a little temper tantrum. She resists self-care, healing, and personal growth. She likes to bitch and complain and plant herself in front of the TV to watch trashy reality shows while eating fistfuls of popcorn and chocolate. 

For years I resisted her visits. I judged her, smothered her, and worked hard to get her in line. 

So she just ate lots more chocolate.

Not anymore. Now I give her a seat at the table and I listen carefully to what she has to tell me. She brings balance to my life, and sanity. She tells me to… 

Stop being so damn good 

Be bold and have fun

Forget everyone else for a while

Be lazy and loose

Embrace indulgence

Be a little entitled

She’s a pretty smart gal with a message well suited to those of us who are natural caregivers, over doers, hyper vigilantes, and too responsible for our own damn good. 

My inner brat is sassy and silly and sexy and smart. 

I like her.  

She makes life interesting. 

So I allowed her to write this blog .

I wonder what your inner brat could do?