Distinguishing Greatness

Sometimes, ok, a lot of times, I find myself thinking, "Ok yeah, yeah, right, I get it, you are cooler than me, whatever." I mean come on- if you find yourself incessantly bragging or showing off all the things you have, or do, and replying to other people's comments with your own fabulousity (thanks Kimora Lee Simmons for that word) then guess what- You are really aren't that great. You are, however, great if you:
-Do cool, eccentric, fun, original things for yourself and not so you can brag all over the internet and everywhere else about them.
-Listen respectfully to other people and don't reply to them or their story with something that starts with "Well I..." or "For me..." or something of the sort.
-Don't spend more money than you have.
-Don't pick up on a hobby because it's cool right now and you want to be able to blog about it.
I find it so refreshing to be around people who are just themselves. They aren't trying to portray perfectness or some sort of facade about what their life is. I mean come one, we all know it isn't possible. And to be honest no one can really be friends with someone who appears to be so perfect. I mean who wants to surround themselves with perfection??? I believe in life, especially being a female, it all comes down to self confidence. The more secure in yourself that you are, the more you can fess up to what and who you really are. Am I a perfect advocate for this, heavens no, I mean it just took me about six tries to spell advicate, I mean advocate. I am certainly not saying that I have mastered this technique nor do I think ever will. I think life and our personal security will be ever changing. Every stage in life we go through we are going to have to reassess and find our center. I just think that we should take a step back and look around us and stop trying so hard. After all, your consistent effort can be transparent. Just relax and be who you are. It certainly takes a lot less effort than maintaining the image you are trying to keep up with. I personally find solace in my friends who are so "imperfect". The ones who confess they can't eat out due to financial bondage. The ones who could care less that their kids have muck, whatever that is, all over their faces. The ones who don't run their heads ragged to clean up before I come over (I do this. Not going to lie.)-Quick story: Mother in law shows up Wednesday to go to Sephora with me, says, " Your house is so clean. Did you spend all morning cleaning?" "NO." Says me. (In reality I spent all night the night before cleaning.)
Anyways. I sometimes feel like I am involved in a bunch of competitions I never signed up for. Daily interactions that that are a bunch of comparative competitions and it makes me want to not partake of these interactions anymore. I find myself slowly cutting them out. It just takes to much effort. I'd rather hang out with a toddler who thinks bright green dresses look good with stripped leggings and doesn't care what another soul thinks about it. Especially her mom.