“Keep calm, and have a cupcake!” It’s a phrase that brings a smile to my face, produces a small chuckle under my breath, and soothes me with peace. It is most obviously high jacked from the better-known “Keep calm and carry on” posters that encouraged British citizens to stay calm, strong, and positive in spite of the threat of invasion at the beginning WWII. I was first acquainted with the phrase when a close friend and role model of mine delivered a sermon titled “Keep calm and carry on”. It gave me great perspective, and in the following few weeks I’d whisper it under my breath as a friendly reminder in the presence of struggle. Quickly, however, the phrase drifted from my mind. That is, until a dear friend of mine gave me a most special birthday present: a journal that says “Keep Calm and Have a Cupcake” on the cover. In order to understand why this present was so cherished, you must know a few basic facts about me:
1) I love cupcakes. I love to bake them. I love to eat them. I love everything about them. I love that they come in every flavor imaginable, each with its own unique personality. I love the endless possibilities in decorating them. Vibrant colors, beautiful piping designs, fancy sprinkles. I love the creativity I feel in designing them, the peace of mind that comes with baking them, and the comfort I get in eating them.
2) I love to journal. More accurately, I love to write. It’s an amazing way to express your emotions, and a healthy therapy that can be administered on your own. I love writing down my thoughts, because I have so many that sometimes I honestly believe my head will explode if I don’t. I write down my many thoughts, because I also don’t enjoy keeping them to myself. Ask anyone who knows me and they’ll tell you they know exactly what I’m thinking 99.9% of the time. Why? Because I share it with them. I like to express my emotions. I have to. It’s who I am. But, I know my friends and therapist need to breath every once in a while. So I write.
3) I’m a bit of a control freak. Okay…I’m a control freak. I like making plans, and I like putting those plans into action. I know, I know. You are thinking well duh, who the hell doesn’t? But I think I hold onto those plans a little less loosely than most. Honestly, I grasp them with both hands clinging on for dear life and refuse to let go. I plan everything. Every detail. Ever second. Of my life. I spend more time making to do lists than doing what is actually on them. The point is, when things don’t exactly go according to my plans, I freak out a little bit.
That’s why I need a friendly reminder to keep calm and carry on. To appreciate my struggles and hardships as opportunities for growth. To live in the present. To take a deep breath. To do something I enjoy (like eating a cupcake). And to carry on.
I’ve recently enjoyed writing down my thoughts in my “Keep Calm and Have a Cupcake” journal. But I feel like others could benefit from reading them, too. Perhaps. Not everyone. Just like everyone likes some flavors of cupcakes better than others, some people will enjoy this blog and others will not. The point is, we’re all human, and at some level we experience the same emotions. Expressing mine might help someone recognize his or hers. Sharing my experiences might influence or inspire someone else. Maybe not, but its worth a shot.
So, what is this blog going to be about? Good question! I’m not quite ready to define it yet. I don’t know if I ever will. At the present, however, it is a verbal expression of my quest for self-discovery, peace, happiness, and fulfillment. I’m sure you’re thinking, “oh no, another young person writing a blog full of teenage angst.” Don’t worry. I recently turned twenty, and thus have no excuse to rant endlessly about my miniscule problems in life! I think of this blog as the exact opposite, actually. An opportunity to learn about myself. To live in the present and write it down so it always exists. To find out what makes me truly happy. To explore my passion. To discover who I am and who I desire to be. I’m sorry, but I can’t help the cheesiness right now. I just watched Eat Pray Love and was left utterly inspired by her international journey of self-discovery. Since I’m currently a college student, however, I can’t stop everything and travel the world for a year like she did. So, this is my alternative. Rather than traveling to discover myself, I will blog.
I hope in reading my blog you learn something more about yourself. If not, it’s okay. At the very least, though, I hope the next time you’re having a bad day or going through Hell, the words “Keep Calm and Have a Cupcake” gracefully enter your mind and bring you both a smile and a temporary sense of peace.
