The last few weeks I haven’t been able to settle on any one idea for a blog entry. In conversation with my brother I mentioned I didn’t know what to write. He of course came back with write about, ‘how cool I am.’ So I decided to run with it. Here is why I think my brother is cool.
My brother and I have always been close. He’s two years younger and although we have similarities like all siblings do, we are also quite different. He has a quality that I think most people, including myself don’t have. He’s himself no matter what situation or who he’s with.
He’s raw, blunt on occasional, and a complete sweet heart when you least expect it. I don’t know anyone like him.
My brother and me wearing our newly, self printed, Lion King t-shirts
He’s the person I turn too when I want honest advice. He has been there when I needed someone to watch soppy love movies with, while I gorge myself on chocolate after a horrid break-up. He’s been the one to push me to do things I know I should but have been too scared to do.
While many people spend years, ‘finding themselves,’ he knew who he was and what he wanted from the start.
That’s not to say he hasn’t grown, he has. A memory, that now makes me laugh, is the day he went missing. As a family were walking our dogs along the beach when we realised my brother wasn’t with us. We looked everywhere and mum was getting pretty worried when I saw him perched next to a stranger, on the jetty fishing. Mum of course did what mothers do and started yelling, ‘what are you doing,’ and he replied, ‘Fishing. I wanted to see what all the fuss was about. I don’t like it. It’s boring.’ He was 6 when this happened.
While I’ve spent the last few years making a big effort trying to meet influential people, say the right thing, and fit in, my brother has been able to dodge all the awkward moments and angst. He hasn’t tried to be anyone else, yet he is just as successful and just as liked.
The last few weeks I’ve started to realise why I look up to many people in my field, it’s because they know who they are and this makes them great at what they do. While it’s important to have mentors and aspire to be like others, I think ultimately we need to stop comparing and remind ourselves (and each other) that we all have something unique to offer.
Not sure if this makes my brother cool but anyone who inspires me to write deserves some recognition.
Featured images by Rachel Kurzyp.
