monday inspiration: in which I discuss Hilary Duff lyrics

yep. it's true. I'm going to talk about Hilary Duff.

I turn 17 tomorrow, by the way. it's kind of awesome. I have to update all my bios now. I'm also a senior this year. which is really awesome and really terrible.

I was a shy kid. then I was a quiet kid. I still am, sort of. I tried soccer and gymnastics, really liked both. but I didn't like being watched and yelled at and being away from my parents. so neither lasted too long. next I think I tried dance. again, I loved it. I was so excited. but I didn't like being on stage with people watching me. after a while I learned not to try. "do you wanna play baseball/softball?" nope. "do you wanna try out for this play?" nope. "do you want to. . ." nope.

(a little sneak peek of the awesomeness coming your way later this week)

I was content to sit at home and read my book. heh heh, still am sort of. but the thing is, I realized that I'm a senior this year and I feel like I missed out on a lot because I was too afraid to try. last year I took a broadway jazz class where we danced to Mary Poppins and performed skits and such. I really liked it. I figured out that when I really needed to, I could stand up in front of people and even talk. it was fun.

I looked back at all the chances I had in the past and wished I hadn't watched them pass. but we can't live in the past right? right? so this year my motto is "why freakin' not?"

I mean really. hmm, Kaylee is teaching a tap class this year. . .should I give it a try? (why not?) and guess what? I love it.
should I get out of this car and go take pictures of ___? (why not? what's the worst that could happen?) *epic pictures are taken*
should I dye my hair blue? (sure! why not? it's hair. it grows.)
this is my favorite song but I'm at a stoplight with my windows down. I can't really belt it here, can I? (WHY NOT?!?!? who cares?) they're all strangers. heck, maybe you'll even make some smile. or even inspire them. give me one good reason why not, please.

(that's right, cuteness overload. coming to a computer screen near you.)

anyway. I was thinking about all this the other day and then I got that old Hilary Duff song stuck in my head.

I happen to think she's gorgeous + she gets awesome points for staying out of trouble, non?

Yeah, you know, the one that goes, "why not take a crazy chance? why not do a crazy dance? if you waste a moment you might lose a lot, so why not?" is it stuck in your head now? bahaha. but really. (and go ahead and admit it. you watched Lizzie McGuire when you were a kid too. and she was darn well better than Hannah Montana) we all sang that song and watched the movie and the tv show and such but honestly, it didn't mean anything to me then. I don't think I really got it. but dannggg, those are words to live by. am I right? really. you only have this one life to live, what are you gonna do with it?

(Instead I Fight hit the studio this weekend to record some tunes. get ready. it's coming.)

(I'm serious here, I don't mean where are you gonna go to school and what is gonna bring in your paycheck, I mean, what are you gonna do right now that makes a difference? what are you going to do to change your life, someone else's life, change the world? why not give it a try? eh? don't live in fear! I think when you stop and really ask yourself, "what's the worst thing that could happen? that I will be embarrassed in front of people I don't know and will probably never see again? because that's nothing. and because you shouldn't be embarrassed - unless we're talking about table dancing at a drunken party etc - and because you could make someone smile. because you could change the way they look at things, the way they look at life.)

speaking of changing lives, my friend Hannah is running a my charity: water campaign and giving up her birthday and christmas for these people who need clean water. how cool is that? skip out on some gifts and GIVE something HUGE. you should check it out here and consider donating. we're talking about seriously changing these people's lives. why not? what do you really have to lose?
we will wear compassion.

photo by the amazing Hannah Simpson who is incredible and truly inspires me

anyway. I aim to live my life with no fear, no regrets. what are you going to do with your life today?

(I'm sorry. that was wordy.)