Friday, April 24, 2015

The Chickfila Way

This morning I found myself at Chickfila on North Monroe Street, Tallahassee Florida, witnessing something beautiful.

This morning I decided to go to Chickfila before class. I convinced myself it was a reward for the last day of classes. I walked in and went right to the bathroom. In there was an older black woman washing her hands. She washed her hands for a solid five minutes. As I waited to wash my hands after her, I noticed there was something off about her. Thought nothing of it. As she dried her hands she rambled to me about "kids these days" and that it was "a terrible world with these school shootings." I agreed, simply because it is terrible.

I dried my hands before she was done and went to place my order. As I sat down at the table I heard the staff complimenting her, and telling her that they liked her shirt. She was wearing an oversized yellow t-shirt with SpongeBob on it.

They doted on her, showing her love and kindness. Kindness I'm sure she doesn't always receive. Her face when they handed her an icedream cone was priceless. My heart broke in that moment. I could see other customers looking at her as though she wasn't human. But she is human, that woman has a family, or someone somewhere that loves her. She has dreams, and hopes for a better future. I know that because she shared with me in the bathroom.

I know first hand that Chickfila has their own set of rules and ways that they do things. It's often referred to as "the Chickfila way" as employees. But this wasn't just the Chickfila way, it was above and beyond. It was love, it was kindness, and it was beautiful.

Thursday, February 19, 2015

Simply My Anxious Mind

The other night I had my worst anxiety attack yet.
pain in my chest. Unwanted tears. A little throwup. The constant fear of it being the end.
It was completely over the top and unnecessary in regards to the reason why. But it still happened. And I truly don't want it to ever happen again.
Four days later my chest still hurts. But it's just a reminder of how I over think too much.
It's a little funny because of how well I internalize my anxiety no one truly know what runs through my mind through out an episode.
So here ya go folks, 30 thoughts with Tay.
1. Is that my alarm?
2. Nope. I was dreaming my alarm again.
3. Its only 5am?
4. I checked my phone at 3. That was surely longer ago. Ugh.
5. Yay! It 630! I can get up.
6. Holy cow its 645. I'm going to be late.
7. Whats worse?  A ticket or being late?
8. Ticket. Definitely a ticket.
9. Screw it. Imma drive like Paul Walker. *RIP babe*
10. 6:55. Still not my record.
11. Shoot did I lock the door?
12. Surely I did.
13. My car keys are in my pocket. Most certainly.
14. Where are my?!.. right. My pocket.
15. Why is that person not smiling at me?
16. I mean yeah its 7 in the morning but golly gee smile.
17. Please mister customer smile. I swear if you don't my day is shot.
18. He laughed at me for tripping. I'll take it.
19. Oh my gosh why must people laugh at my pain? Can't you see I'm dying on the inside? Why must you hate me?
20. I need a Diet Coke.
21. She definitely doesn't like me.
22. Awh she just showed me vacation pics.
23. Okay maybe she likes me a little.
24. Woah. I need advil. 3 please.
25. I hope this kicks in before that doofuss shows up.
26. Dang. It. I forgot to turn off the... yeah no I did do that.
27. Whens my next test? Right 12 days.
28. Thats plenty of time to prepare.
29. How can I learn so much in 12 days. Its impossible.
30. I need a diet coke.
 Probably the most relatable thing on the internet. 


Thanks for reading,

Tay

Wednesday, February 11, 2015

I wont "Christian Shame" for 50 Shades

Hey Christians, Believers, Homeschoolers, Church, I have a question.

Why are we shaming people for wanting to see 50 Shades of Grey?

My facebook is filled with articles on how it will ruin your life and relationship if you watch it.
They resemble articles I wrote essays on about serial killers. Except these are more ridiculous.

It's inappropriate. It's kinky. It's not new news. ITS A MOVIE.
So instead of scaring people further away from the Gospel of truth lets put our pitch forks down and go see the Kingsman movie while our friends see some hot people get it on.
Afterwards, get froyo. Talk about a Relevant magazine article that made you think about becoming a hipster. Or don't. Show them you love them. Not that you're disgusted by them.
Be their friend. Not their mom.
You're not Jiminy Cricket.
You do you.

With love,

-Tay

Tuesday, January 27, 2015

The Beauty in Change

Change. Most people fear it, dread it, and hate it.
Me? I used too. It wasn't until I had spent a little time reflecting on all the change in my life that I realized it was really for the best. If it weren't for change I would never have lived in several different states. If it weren't for change I wouldn't have met all the people I hold dear. If it weren't for change I would have never realized I have anxiety. If it weren't for change I wouldn't be so hopeful. Instead of hopeless.

Thankfully I realized I needed to make a change in me. For the past month I have been taking care of myself. Not just spiritually, but physically, and mentally. Not only have I lost weight, gained confidence, but I've begun to feel more alive.

"Jesus always pointed people to a better version of themselves- especially when they've failed."-Bob Goff. 

(If you haven't read "Love Does" by him, I suggest you do immediately.)


This sparks so much within me, it is hard not to get excited and write a novel based off of one quote. I've failed so often. I've failed to take care of myself, mentally and physically. I have failed class, after class. I've given up on friendships when they get hard. I have given up on relationships when they get "too serious". I have allowed those things to let me down. But because of the good Lord he brings me back to him. Brings me to solace and grace. 

I have failed. But thankfully for change, I can see that failure is necessary in life. 

There's a certain beauty in failure. 
There's a certain beauty in change. 
Therefore there's beauty in life. 


-Tay 

Wednesday, November 12, 2014

Have No Fear, I'm The Under Dog, Right Here

Growing up, I was always considered average. I tested average or below on state issued tests, and made sub par grades. I was never confronted by teachers unless it involved failing the course. That was usually fixed by teachers "adjusting" my grades because I was a helpful student and showed effort in most areas, just lack of comprehension. I would roll with it because it meant less work and stress on myself.

College came about and my professors don't really care about my lack of comprehension in the subject at hand, or my effort. They are what the grade calculations show, which has been steadily a 78% or below on most exams. I've never done well testing, I normally become the most anxious person in the room. " If I don't pass this I'll never graduate" runs through my mind as I read, or try to read each question.

I study, I memorize, I see each word and store it in my brain. But I don't understand why this combination of words matter. It's exceptionally hard when it comes to mathematics, I cannot grasp the process at which I need to solve, or understand what means what to solve for X. It's lost information and a waste of you're time.

My insecurity with math may expand beyond my lack of understanding and comprehension to normal words. I find myself reading directions over and over for every assignment. In hopes that each time I read it the objective would become more clear. Most times it doesn't and I just sit and stare, praying that a classmate would see my struggle and offer to help. I approach my professors quite often, looking for help, but often they're explanations usually are followed by "If you can't understand this part I can't help you." I had teachers in middle school and high school that brushed me off because I just seemed like the kid that would get it.. eventually.
I attempt assignments on my own, confident that it is what is being asked of me. When I arrive to class it is often exact opposite of what the teacher has asked within the assignment.

Why am I writing this?
Well, a while ago I found out I tested positive for dyslexia. Not the typical dyslexia that involves mixing words and letters, but on a comprehension base. It has to do a lot with how my brain processes things. There's something that isn't quite connecting there, and it's annoying.
At first I was mad, it actually made me physically sick to  my stomach. All this time I could have had help, and saved a lot of hard memories from being made. I've been called stupid, slow, dumb, you name it. I was mocked for failing algebra 2 and taking it again and barely skimming by.
I've been surrounded by people who are "successful" academically and make it very certain that I am aware, that I should try harder. Believe me if I could do it I would.
I could sit around and beat myself up about it, but what difference would that make? I'm that kid who made it through the school system without being humiliated and tested with a learning disability. I should probably be humiliated now, but I'm not. Not at all.

I made it this far. I'm strong.

I'm proud of myself. I'm proud that I can successfully interact with people. I can read people and hold a civilized conversation with adults that most people my age would be afraid to do. I could live on my own and I can iron my shirt. Most people my age whom I'd consider intelligent people couldn't do any of those things successfully because they look at things with a narrow point of view. I like the big picture. I like that I've managed these years with a disability that yes it may have affected me academically, but made me into a decent person I'd say.


I root for the under dog in any given situation. Whether it's football, a reality show, or the kid that everyone just kind of picks on. I've always known it's because I can "relate" to the under dog, but never knew why. I always believed it was because I was the only redhead in my family. But now it makes sense, it's not just my hair color that makes me the underdog, but my ability to over come this hard things and keep moving. Just like I've always done.

This gives me a drive to prove myself more so than before. It's comforting knowing that I am a strong person and that through the trials of school and growing up I still persevered. I can't let the fear of being humiliated for my lack of comprehension hinder me from what I am to become when I reach my full potential.
I have a feeling it's going to be awesome.

- Tay

p.s.
Right now I am enrolled in a math class that meets five days a week. It is meant for people with learning disabilities and it is the best thing I could have ever done for myself. I am continuing to grow and reach beyond this.

Sunday, September 28, 2014

Being Ginger

Being Ginger is not all that it's cut out to be. Growing up, I was constantly approached by strangers asking where my red hair came from, because if you knew my family, I don't exactly match.
To be honest I don't know what people really expect when they meet my family. I don't come from the Weasley family. I come from the O'Kane family, which I guess with our last name you would expect a few more redheads. But nope, just me. 
When I was little, there were very few and far between slurs about my hair from society. But once middle school rolled around I was called things I had never heard before. My favorite throughout the years? Fire Crotch. 
Allow me to run down the list:
Fire Crotch (thanks)
Ginger/ging (Thanks South Park)
Devil Baby (Thanks Hitler?)
Soulless (watch out homie you're next)
Red (meh.)

A few phrases I've come accustomed to: 
Does the carpet match the drapes? (are you an idiot?)
Do you and other gingers plan stealing souls together? (sure?)
Why don't you match your family? ( Did you pay attention in biology?)
Did the milkman stay too long?( a teacher asked that one) 
Do you have anger problems? (well I do now)
Since you're ginger are you like crazy? (bout to be)  
OH. You like don't have eyebrows. (please don't touch my face)


I could keep going, but they're rated R. 
What people don't understand is that by being ginger you're opened up into a new level of discrimination. It's not terrible, it's just annoying. I cannot go to the mall, to the store without hearing something about my gingerness. Usually I wish I hadn't. 
Most recently at the store  "ayye baby you can come steal my soul and some other things too!" No thanks.

As a ginger, and as a human being who believes in personal space. Please stop touching my hair and asking me inappropriate questions. If you want the answers, buy me a drink first and we can talk ginger.
But what all this has taught me is to love myself, and my hair. 
If you got it, flaunt it. 



With ginger love, 


-Tay 

Sunday, September 7, 2014

Nearly 21 and Clueless

It's crazy to think that in two short weeks I'll be twenty-one years old. It's even worse to think that I'm nearly twenty-one and I have zero clue as to what I am doing with my life.

And that's OKAY. 

You see for me, it's been a long journey trying to find myself. To figure out which direction I want to go, especially. I'm going on my third year to get my A.A. with the "intentions" of social work. I put "intentions" in quotations because that's honestly what it sounds like, it's uncertain. 

School has always been difficult for me, I was failed by the school system and I've never recovered. I was called stupid and slow by my peers. Made fun of for my lack of understanding, by people to this day I call my closest Friends. I've had tutors that have helped, and friends willing to assist me in math. But unless that person is there guiding my hand to the paper, I'm a lost cause. Currently, I'm enrolled in a course that meets five days a week and it's specifically for people with a learning disability. An advisor placed me in there with hopes to see me succeed. So far it has been great. This is the first time in my life I have actually gone into a math class and not left feeling anxious and miserable. I still get anxious at school though, the slightest things overwhelm me and I mentally check out. 

I've never found my thing. 

I like English and History, computers terrify me, and Science is Science. I lack artistic and physical talent. I write and read above my level, yet still don't completely excel. 

I wasn't blessed with any outstanding talent.

The things I can do, they are the things that make me a human being. I can cook, I make really great fish and grilled chicken. I can hold an intelligent conversation and if I'm wrong I'll admit it. I can talk my way into or out of anything, I will make you order that meal no problem. I try and think in a way that will most improve the outcome of what I'm doing. Sometimes, I don't think before I speak and I find myself regretting my word choice.

I have street smarts. I'm not always sketched out by people, as most girls are. I'd like to give people the benefit of the doubt, but if you make me uncomfortable I will shut it down. I have a high sense of justice, and responsibility. If I don't think something is right, I will voice it. I often feel responsible for things that aren't my responsibility, but with enough heart in it I make it mine. Which can be a blessing and a curse. I love exploring, I find myself driving aimlessly around town. I love the out doors, and I am obsessed with the sky.

With that, I am struggling to find myself. I know my true self and what I am capable of doing as a person and a follower of Christ. But what do you do when you can't mentally and physically do what the world is telling you to do? What do you do when you know you're wasting time and money on school?

I know. You go, and you do bigger things instead. I truly believe God made me this way for a reason, that my struggles would be used to make a difference in some way. With that, I'm currently looking at different options, whether it is school, or a year abroad in missions.
 Go take on the world. 

I know there are other people out there like me, that struggle with school. That know they don't need school to do big things. That have struggled with being pushed instead of guided with school. That have been hurt by it and fear it with all that is in them. I don't fear the world, I fear not using my resources and skills to change it. I'm working on trusting God with the future and praying about it everyday.

I'm not saying I will drop out of school, or that is what everyone in a similar place should do. I'm going to complete my A.A. so that I may return to school if I so choose to leave it.
 I want feed back from you, the reader. I want to know if you've struggled with the same things, or have input on what I should do.

Thank you for reading my little rant about life, and the future.

Love Always,

Tay