Ya Understood?

I define family as anyone who is loyal enough to love you, respect you, support you, encourage you, and challenge you without even fully understanding you.

To be understood is a lifetime accomplishment that is truly never promised in our short time on the Earth.

And only an artist can fully understand their work.

Only a creator can fully translate their creation.

Only a master can fully explain their intent of a trade.

Listen. If you feel understood by a person, party, group, whomever-- hold on TIGHT. And then, if you feel released from the desperation of explaining yourself prior to receiving love and respect from a person-- hold on TIGHTER.

I really cannot think of anything more frustrating than someone who says, "I get it," when they don't, in fact, "get it." So, when you can meet someone who does "get it" or "get" you, and doesn't instinctively run in the opposite direction, keep them.

The truth is, we are all misunderstood and misperceived daily. People who know nothing about what we're facing love to draw their own conclusions about us. And you know what, we should let them.

I was actually listening to Lauren Daigle's podcast one morning last week (side note: she is someone who I feel like "gets" me, as we have like the same exact personality) and she quoted:

"True freedom is letting others misunderstand you."

Talk about wisdom.

I don't know about you, but I have fought a lot to become the woman I am today. (And hopefully I have more battles to continue to challenge me in my future!) But because of this, I refuse to explain myself to anyone who is committed to misunderstanding me.

Remember: you are always either committed to understanding or misunderstanding someone.

So, go ahead. I give you permission to misunderstand me. Draw your own conclusions.

I know the secret.

Your conclusions will never have the authority to change who I have already become.