Seven Deadly Sins Meme - Day 1

[mijan]

Found this meme on thalialunacy 's LJ:



I figure, if I'm going to do a meme like this, I'm going to be brash, crude, abrasive, cocky, prideful, envious, wrathful, self-indulgent, greedy, gluttonous, and unashamedly lustful.  So of course this is going to sound self-centered.  If you don't want to hear me tooting my own horn (or talking about the lustful things that would cause me to toot my horn), then scroll past and pretend you never saw this.  (You've been warned.)  Currently, I'm really looking forward to Wrath and Lust, but I think this whole thing will be fun.

So, day 1 - PRIDE! 


1. I'm really fucking smart.  High school valedictorian.  Summa Cum Laude for both of my undergrad degrees.  I worked my ass off for it.  But more than the ranking and recognition, I'm proud of the fact that I can figure stuff out.  I can see the bigger picture and put concepts together.  And when I DON'T know something... I'm smart enough to be willing to learn it.  When presented with new information, I'm willing to reformulate my conclusions.  When challenged in my preconceptions, I'll accept a logical argument and use the challenge to improve my understanding.  I'm smart enough to know what I don't know.  But I'm also smart enough to know what I DO know, and I'm brazenly unapologetic about it.  When you've been a command officer, you need to be that confident in your knowledge.

2. I'm really fucking capable.  When shit hits the fan, I almost always know what to do, and I can handle it.  I have such a wide variety of experiences and skills that going into almost any situation, I feel confident that I'll know what to do.

3. I'm strong and athletic.  Yes, I have health issues that hold me back sometimes, but I've successfully competed in almost a dozen sports, including FOUR intercollegiate sports.  I set a state record in the bench press.  I've competed at the national level in two sports.  I earned the Army Achievement Medal for having the highest fitness score in my battalion.  And despite health issues, I still drag my ass to the gym and keep this fine piece of ass in shape.  When I'm in good health, I'm tough as an iron rail.  I may not be as capable as I was before I got sick, but I haven't given up, and I'm still going strong.  Damn straight, I'm proud of that shit.

4. I'm hot shit.  Even worse, I know it.  No, I'm not 6'2" with a magazine-airbrushed body, but I've found that a 5% excess of confidence combined with much effort in the gym produces grand results.  I'm even more proud of this fact because I used to be fat.  Very fat.  i was THAT kid in class.  I had horrible hair, ugly glasses, and NO confidence whatsoever.  I took the initiative, got myself into shape (and no, it wasn't easy), and changed my image.  I struggled with continuing confidence issues that turned into four years of depression and an eating disorder, but eventually overcame that on my own.  I'm not a Hollywood model, but I look in the mirror and like what I see.  This ass, these biceps, these pecs... uh-huh.

5. I'm creative and artistic.  I'm a biologist who writes sci-fi novels (fanfiction counts, goddammit), is self-taught on the piano, does portraiture and painting, creates hand-whittled woodwork, and can sing.  Renaissance?  Sure.

6. I'm a fucking determined little bastard.  I'm not afraid of hard work.  Actually, I don't think I'm much afraid of anything.  And when life calls for hard decisions, risk, a bit of recklessness, and an absolute refusal to quit, you can bet your ass that I'm ready for it.

7. I earned a commission as an Army officer in three years.  Against all odds.  It's not that I wasn't fully capable of handling the physical and mental challenges of military life - it's that I just don't like stupid people... especially stupid people in positions of authority.  I got in a bit of hot water, I hated the politics, and I was sometimes unconventional, but at the end of the day, and just three years after I enlisted, I got my commission.  (See that comment above in #1 about being brazenly unapologetic when I know I'm right?  That's what it takes, my civilian friends.  The world of military brass is a different world.)  And did some pretty awesome shit.

Comments

[alphabet26.livejournal.com]

I love it. Those are 7 AMAZING things that you deserve to be proud of.

[mijan.livejournal.com]

*preens*

Here's the thing... I subscribe to the "I'm awesome, and you're awesome, too" philosophy. So that means you need to tell us all about your awesomeness.

[morgaynne.livejournal.com]

I think the fact that you admit your health issues and refuse to let them define you, is a laudable achievement in and of itself. It sounds like you have worked hard for your achievements mostly and that is always something to be proud of. being hot and knowing it is definitely an achievement, my fitness goals are not usual but one I had for a while was to look at myself in the mirror and say, "yeah I would do me."

I appreciate brash confidence it is a wonderful thing to see.

[mijan.livejournal.com]

I'm still having a hard time fully admitting what I can't do anymore because of my health, but I'm getting there. The hardest part is learning that in this case, fighting through a rough patch CAN make it worse, and sometimes I have to rest and recover. It's more like strategy in my health, rather than just yelling "CHAAAARGE!" Honestly, while I'd love to be able to do what I used to do physically, my biggest health goal right now is to simply not give up.

And here's the other thing... I subscribe to the "I'm awesome, and you're awesome, too" philosophy. I wish EVERYONE would be as brashly confident about the things they're good at. Positivity reinforcing positivity. And there's a difference between confidence and arrogance. Arrogance is destructive and cruel. I really wish everyone would be able to embrace their awesomeness and not shy away from it.

The goal of being able to look yourself in the mirror and appreciate the view... is that still one of your goals?

From one August 12th Leo to another...

[rowangolightly.livejournal.com]

I think the whole "pride goeth before a fall" is a load of BS. Knowing yourself, good points and not-so-much is fabulous and so are you!

To top it off, you give a fabulous massage that helped me a great deal.

I very much look forward to getting to know you and your amazing wife better as time goes on.

Re: From one August 12th Leo to another...

[mijan.livejournal.com]

There's a big line between pride and arrogance. Pride is a source of confidence, a self-recognition of achievement. Arrogance is self-destructive. I'd like to think that you and I have the confident-pride thing going quite nicely. August 12th kids were born to be awesome.

And YAY massage! I'm glad to know it helped you. That makes me feel good.

We must definitely hang out more and get to know each other. I believe we've got some other mutual friends in the area, too. So... when Snowmageddon is over, want to do coffee?

Re: From one August 12th Leo to another...

[rowangolightly.livejournal.com]

Yes, I'd love to; that sounds grand. I'm a Roasterie addict, myself. Gotta support the fine local businesses.

[flamewarrior.livejournal.com]

You are awesome!

Also, re. 7: you are John Sheppard and I claim my five pounds.

[mijan.livejournal.com]

*grins* I try. (Honestly, if it weren't the point of the meme, I'd have never been so brazen about this stuff. Which is why I put my indecent lack of modesty behind an LJ cut.)

John Sheppard? Five pounds? I know SGA a little bit (more of an SG1 fan), but I don't understand the relevance here. Enlighten me?

[flamewarrior.livejournal.com]

I thought your account of yourself in the military sounded very John Sheppard *g*

The 'five pounds' reference is a specifically British one: Wikipedia explains! http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Lobby_Lud

[mijan.livejournal.com]

Then I would take it as a compliment to be compared to John Sheppard in that context.

British-isms FTW!

And gaaaaah, why the hell am I awake? Coffee. Need coffee...

[fiona-fawkes.livejournal.com]

*sigh* I am SO not going to like Day Seven, am I.

[annulvapore.livejournal.com]

"3. I'm strong and athletic. Yes, I have health issues that hold me back sometimes, but I've successfully competed in almost a dozen sports, including FOUR intercollegiate sports. I set a state record in the bench press. I've competed at the national level in two sports. I earned the Army Achievement Medal for having the highest fitness score in my battalion. And despite health issues, I still drag my ass to the gym and keep this fine piece of ass in shape. When I'm in good health, I'm tough as an iron rail. I may not be as capable as I was before I got sick, but I haven't given up, and I'm still going strong. Damn straight, I'm proud of that shit."

yeah, but until you've played quidditch. . .

[supasass.livejournal.com]

This meme is seriously awesome - everyone needs to talk about their awesome more often! And well, I'm so happy to hear about your awesome, your mental and physical strength, your creative muscle - all awesome (think I may be going through a case of awesome-itis)

[potteresque_ire]

You're on fire!! ♥. I should have read this while it was snowing so hard outside...really, this post makes me happy. Confident, capable people make me happy. :)

*Hugs*