I spent the last two days working with one of my favorite brands, Jeffrey Court on an upcoming project that I can’t WAIT to share.
The team came to the house and brought me these flowers and together….
….we planned out the behind the scenes and went all a little “hello karianne—this is your life.”
Like returning to my old high school.
And visiting the downtown square.
And photographing the entrance to town.
And the water tower.
And where I used to “cruise the Gate.”
And the curb where I kissed a pair of sparkling eyes.
And where during college a long ago in a time far away, I worked at a Mexican restaurant in a brightly colored dress with red lipstick and amazing Aqua Net hair….
…wearing the most brilliantly colored pair of parrot earrings.
I think that’s where it all started.
That dress and that lipstick and those earrings.
They helped me learn about long hours and aching feet and hard work. I’d come home from my job and sit across a desk in this office in this house and have lengthy discussions with my father. He shared his heart and words of wisdom about representing and standing up and being counted and why I shouldn’t quit after two weeks on the job.
Here’s what I learned.
Here’s what I took to heart and never let go and still embrace today.
Words for the road ahead.
Life lessons learned from a pair of parrot earrings.
1. Never apologize for where you are on the journey
EVER.
Even if you are driving a scooter down the main street of town to work because you can’t afford a car.
Even if you’re wearing your Mexican dress covered with trash bags because it’s raining.
Even if your parrot earrings are whipping in the wind.
This is your journey. This is your path.
Where you are today will take you to amazing tomorrows.
Hold your head up high and fly your earrings proudly.
2. Be authentic
Guess what?
You. Are. Amazing.
You. The you that stands at the restaurant window watching your friends drive by on a Friday night to go to the movies while you wipe off dirty tables.
You. The you working so hard that your Aqua Net hair wilts.
You. The one following your heart and your dream.
Just wake up every day.
Put one foot in front of the other.
And be the best YOU that you can.
3. Work hard
This moment?
It’s temporary.
A drop in the bucket of life.
But here’s the thing. Those first steps in the workforce? Showing up. Putting in the hours. Listening and learning every minute. Putting your best foot forward.
They are the foundation for the rest of your life.
Take those tiny, little steps now.
So you can run like the wind later.
4. Dream
I know it’s such a Hallmark answer.
I get it.
I understand.
But here’s the thing. Truth? If you don’t know where you are going—it’s so much harder to get there.
Think big. Plan big. Dream big.
Right now, you and your red lipstick are just trying to get through college.
But one day there will be a thing called the internet.
One day you’ll start a blog.
One day you’ll write books and design a fabric line and a product line and travel and speak.
Make sure those dreams are ready.
5. Buckle your seatbelt
Oh, my little scooter riding friend.
If you only knew.
The places you’ll go.
The dreams you’ll live.
The family that will walk beside you every step of the way.
The amazing, awe-inspiring, incredible life that is waiting for you behind the next curve.
Life is about to take you on an amazing journey.
Buckle up buttercup.
And take those parrot earrings with you. 🙂
Being a big fan of boxes and galvanized stuff...I do hope you will be sharing the stuff on the bench.It's good. Kirklands?
Love it!! Great words of inspiration and reminders of where it all starts... God's blessings.
You are one of the only bloggers I still follow that is doing the neutral/white/galvanized/etc thing because I am tiring a little of the look and only have so much time in my day. I still follow you because you are SO AUTHENTIC and HILARIOUS and you always make me smile. This post proves those two words -- Authentic AND Hilarious. x0x0
You could have left off that first sentence. Two words for you: BE KIND!
Were you dropped on your head?
That comment was for Beth Joyce ;)
Sounds like a great graduation speech—just add a little something for the guys! It’s short, sweet, funny, and full of wonderful life lessons. Hope someone asks you to speak at their graduation wearing your bright red lipstick and parrot earrings. Your talent amazes me-God gave you 10 talents and you made 10 more-all for His glory.
Amen, well spoken.
Hit the ball out of the ballpark AGAIN with a life lesson wrapped up undercover as a story. LOVE.
This was wonderful but I missed the picture of you wearing those parrot earrings.lol
Take me to Church this morning!!!!! You must have known I needed to hear all these words. Have an amazing day. XOXO Lisa
Great words as always. I wanted to tell you that since the Lord brought you into my life and introduced us, I have been so blessed. I'm not the same. You have no idea how much I think about the stories you've told, the encouragement you've given and the means to dream and work harder. You, you did that. Thank you thank you thank you! I look forward to my new slow going journey. Last thing - is it okay that my dream is to be like KariAnne? Not you. Just LIKE you. ;)
Can't wait to hear more.
Dang, girl. I need to hear these words today. It's so easy to compare my floundering beginning to someone else's grand finale. Thanks for the encouragement, the challenge, the "you got this, girl" attitude. Love ya so! XOXO!
I'm right there with you, Sarah. It's so easy to compare where I am to someone else and then decide that I'll never make it.
Please know that I copied this post from some young ladies I know who are working and attending college. I hope they find it as inspirational as I did (I'm nearing retirement.) I always enjoy your blog but I think this is my favorite post ever! Keep posting and showing the pictures of your home-wish I could sit down with you and have a glass of sweet tea-you're the best!
Wonderful, inspirational words of wisdom. Thanks so much.
Oh, my friend. You ALWAYS inspire me. Love the encouragement. And those gorgeous photos are all anticipating poignant moments about to occur. Open doors just waiting for what’s on the other side. P.S. Just need one more photo of you in those parrot earrings!
Amen on the parrot earrings.... A reminder of where you have been is always a great thing. Thank you for the great post. Excited for your journey.
The best post I’ve read so far. I’ve only been reading blogs since my surgery 2.5 yrs ago. Didn’t know there was such a thing until then. And didn’t know what I was missing.
Wow, this made me cry. Beautiful, true words, spoken through experience! Thank you. I am trying to figure out how to share this with my 14 year old son without him getting all weird about all the girly stuff in between 😘 Thank you for being your authentic you!
I'm sending this to my daughter who graduates from college next month, and to my son, who just became engaged, and whose path has been "winding," but with lots of lessons learned along the way. Thanks for the words...
Amazing words of encouragement .... What a blessing today..... thank you ... and now ... I must return to the picture of the staircase ... I am mesmerized!! :)
Thank you!
Love this title!! I think they should invite you to speak at your son's commencement exercises!!! xoxo
You are so right!!!! Blink and 40 years go by..... thanks for putting words to it!
AWESOME!
I was hoping to spy those earrings somewhere in those photos. Alas!! That was not to be. If I ever find some parrot earrings I'm buying them and sending them to you. Sending 🤗
God always knows what we need and when to present it. I needed your words today!!! Thanks lady. You're the bestest! (in my Angelica voice).
Beautifully said! I'm saving this for inspiration for when our one, lovely granddaughter graduates and heads off to college next month. I'm so happy for her and your message is perfect. It's just the beginning of what will be. Thank you.
Do you still have those earrings?
I still have my parrot earings from the late 1980's. I wore them when I worked part time & took college credit classes to complete my bachelor's degree, went through a major move because of husband's job change, & helped encourage our two children to receive their degrees. I love them.
You are such a great writer! Such great advice.
:)
What a beautiful message! Going to make my granddaughter, who will sigh and roll her eyes, read this. Someday she’ll be grateful she did. Thank you!
Of course this is a great post! I don't think any of us are surprised! ;-) But, we do love the writer that you are, and the woman that you are, too! I need to pin this, but first I need to start a board that's titled "Thistle-reads"... Oooo, that's good... *runs to go see if Pinterest has this board already* Hugs and hearts, friend!
Oh KariAnne!!!! You should write a book (or two) WINK! You are a treasure girl . Nobody writes it like you. You just make my heart happy whenever I read your words! <3
What an inspiration you are, just the EXTRA ray of Sunshine God sends your bloggers each post! Wished you were my next door neighbor!!!
❤️❤️❤️
This really spoke to me. You are a true friend whom I have never met. Thank you for sharing your amazing and inspiring words. Now I need to go buckle up! :)
Such a fun way to relate a powerful message. Loved it!
Thank you for this nice and all so inspiring post. as for your home, I love it!
Oh! KariAnne! What wonderful words of wisdom today! You are such a blessing and I thank God for you! Keep writing from your heart! God Bless you, dear friend!
Love, love, love, your words of encouragement. I have a parrot earrings too. Well, not really parrots. They are more like big white circles and they are clip-ons. Hee hee. Same lessons, work hard, be authentic, keep dreaming. And I am not sure I ever apologized for where I was in my journey, but I have finally realized I don't have to. What a great feeling. Thanks so much for sharing with us. Like a fellow comment-leaver above, I'd live to share some sweet tea and conversation. Blessings for your journey, as it continues.
I am what I am today (64 years old) because of a lot of different jobs, but I like where I am and that's what counts--although I never had any parrot earrings!!! Love ya, Karianne!!!
I love this post. You are such a darling person. I want parrot earrings now. And I had a dream I came to visit you in Texas last night. I woke up happy. If I ever come to the Dallas area, will you go to Magnolia Market with me? Smooches, The Other Marian