Do More Doodles

I thought I'd try something a little different for this post. It correlates with pageants and the latest news in my life right now but it also shares a little bit more about who I am.

I like to draw.

Correction. I like to doodle.

Doodling is different because it's not precise. It doesn't have to turn into any perfect form of a picture or some living object. Doodling is putting my hand to the paper and starting small until the bigger picture comes into focus.

In order to make my doodles more intricate I have to focus. And trust me, at the end of the day when my mind is running millions of directions and my to do list is a mile long that is just the thing I need: focus.

I like to start with an outline because it's fun to take a shape and turn it into art. It brings things to life.

 Sometimes I use a pencil if I'm not sure how an idea will turn out.

 But most of the time I just use pen and go with what I'm feeling.

I like to put it on a screen and see the detail in digital format. (I'm just a nerd, but I think it's cool.)

Sometimes I add color.

This one was requested by a friend. I think you can see my emotions in it, but mostly I was trying to stick to the type of personality she had.

 I do logos when I think they are cool.

 And lettering has been something I've always done.

 My aunt got me a sketchpad and pens for my birthday...

 Terrible/wonderful idea...

 I do things for online and social media posts.

 And my most recent project has been something a little different.

I believe that you can take anything you love to do and make it work for anything you are driven to achieve. I believe that art (and even simpler forms of it) can make a difference because it moves people. It inspires and encourages people. We are capable of so much more than we often let ourselves believe. I believe in showing people that.

I started drawing for a purpose. Balloons for Children's Miracle Network, Animals that let you know about local non-profits that really need support, and even logos for companies that are revolutionizing the personal care industry.

I believe that, like people, doodles can do more.

 If you would like to make a donation to Children's Miracle Network, go to http://www.missamericaforkids.org/Donate/AlexAndrews2015 and click the button. Send me a screenshot with your favorite colors and I'll send you a doodle that matters.

How to Deal with "That Girl"

Jealousy, Distraction, and Taylor Swift.

We all have it. That bug from our childhood we never quite shake. I think the radiation from all the technology only makes it grow stronger.

Comparison.

Think about it. As human beings, our lives have always depended on being the best and having the best traits in order to survive. In the animal kingdom the alpha male is the strongest and the best fighter of the pack/pride/etc.

Everything is a competition.

Survival is a competition.

We are naturally competitive and the proof is in the fact that we have competitions for nearly any human characteristic imaginable. Want a competition for intelligence? Chess, robotics, scholastic decathlons. Want a competition for athleticism? Sports. Want a competition for musical talents? The entire music industry. Want a more productive company? The natural solution is to introduce healthy competition within the workplace. Even the term "healthy competition" making its way to our vocabulary insinuates our need for competition and comparison.

Then there's "That Girl." You know who I'm talking about. Specifically for you Junior High and High School girls.

She is good at everything she does. She tries really hard to impress everyone. She dresses up, does anything and everything, has a million doting followers on Instagram, and takes forever to load the perfect selfie. She wakes up early every morning to make sure that she looks absolutely perfect before starting the day.

You and your natural competitive self have tried anything and everything and no matter what you do, she always gets the attention. She wins every competition. Everyone loves her.

And it gets under your last nerve.

Let's talk about what happens when competition turns south. This is a lovely word called jealousy.

*Cue the poetic perfection that is Taylor Swift.

It doesn't matter what she does, this chick just gets under your skin!

My advice: let it go.

Let her go. 

I know this sounds like the most counterproductive advice ever, but seriously, she's not worth your time.

You work hard. 

You do what you need to do to be on top; because in the end, you'll be better at what you do because you worked for it. It didn't come easy.

Don't be a sore loser. 

There is an amazing word called tenacity. Learn it. It means you tried, you gave it your best, you were not good enough this time, but you continued anyway. You are a unique individual, and there will be times in your life when who you are is not what is wanted/required in that moment. Does that mean you are a failure? Absolutely not! It just means it wasn't your opportunity. Taking a loss with grace is a lot better than being the one who never loses. That person is going to have a rough night when they don't get their way.

Ultimately, as a big sister, the best advice I can give is that girls suck. Girls are so competitive even among their friend groups. 

So darling understand this: 

YOU ARE AWESOME AND THE BEST WAY TO WIN AT LIFE IS TO LIVE IT AS YOURSELF AND ONLY YOURSELF. 

Even Taylor Swift made awkward cool.