Build-A-Boo

Greetings Ladies and Gentlemen,

I hope that your 2019 is off to an extra positive and productive start. And if not, I'm sure that things will begin to turn around for you in the near future! Today's piece is both for those that are currently in relationships and for those that could possibly find themselves in one at some point down the road. That being said, anyone can take something away from what I'm about to present. With Valentine's Day less than three weeks away, it's natural to think about relationships in some form or fashion. What I want to ask now is are you appreciating the person you're dating for who they are or are you trying to build them into someone they're not?

I'm sure the majority of us have been to or at least heard of the Build-A-Bear store in our lifetime. If not, the store is basically where an individual is able to go through an interactive process where they choose a stuffed animal of their choice to assemble and customize to their own specifications. The new companion can be dressed, brushed and even say what you want them to say if the option to add voice is selected. Sounds like a pretty cool deal, right? The thing is that there's too many folks out here trying to treat who they're dating like a stuffed Build-A-Bear animal. 

It's one thing to be a positive influence on your significant other. If they're a procrastinator and you've helped them to spend their time more wisely and efficiently, that's a great thing. If they're trying to limit how much they curse on a daily basis and you're helping to give them alternative words to use, that's something that can be applauded. But when you find things are getting to the point where your boo is literally walking, talking and thinking how you've fashioned them to then are you really dating somebody or do you simply have a new toy?

There's personality traits about myself that I simply know are embedded in me and make Jordan the person he was meant to be. For instance, the fact that I'm saying silly/corny things on a regular basis is just a part of my natural makeup. Also, the way in which I dabble in sarcasm is just something a person knows they're going to get if they choose to be with or around me. Yes I will be respectful, but I'm always going to have some piece of sarcasm in my persona, and that's just something one must know when taking me out the store. If someone I'm dating tells me those things about me have to go, they're basically saying the man that I am isn't properly constructed, and that's when that relationship needs reevaluation. 

So, what did we learn today?  Basically, it's cool if someone comes into your life and they're a positive influence as a whole. When you find yourself having a healthier mindset and making better decisions, you know that this person is a keeper. However, if you start looking in the mirror and don't even recognize yourself in regard to the things that make you special and unique, that's a different story. One shouldn't be making you feel inferior or less than due to the musical artists you like, the clothes you wear or the way you laugh. These are the things that make you a one of a kind human being, not a stuffed bear.