I like to think of myself as a B+ Student of TV pop culture. The only reason I don’t give myself an A is because it’s important to me that you know there is more to me than just endless sitcom references. Not much more, mind you, but more nonetheless.
That said, today I’d like to talk about… endless sitcom references.
Yes, after giving it some serious thought, I’ve come to the conclusion that I am basically a composite of Michael Scott from The Office, and Frankie from The Middle.
Let me ‘splain (see, there I go again with the TV references).
If you know the shows, then no ‘splanation is necessary. But for the sake of you cultured few who don’t have time for such nonsense (what are you even doing here, anyway?), let me bring you up to speed.
Michael Scott, Regional Manager of Dunder Mifflin (The Office) : Though I prefer to think of myself as less cringe-worthy in general, there are irrefutable similarities when it comes to some of the creative things I’ve tried, and failed at, over the years.
Whether it’s chucking candy bars at people’s heads, trying to liven up an otherwise boring staff meeting with a stupid skit or writing and performing ridiculous song parodies… I’ve done it all… and those are just the cringey- examples I am willing to admit. Tip of the iceberg, friends. Tip of the iceberg.
Frankie Heck, Mom from The Middle: There’s just no getting around it. I am her. My family knows it. I know it. Now you know it. And if you don’t know what I’m talking about, just go look it up and watch it. Pick an episode, any episode. You’ll see me, as portrayed by Patricia Heaton. But if your time is far too valuable for such frivolous endeavors (again, what are you doing here???), let me sum it up. Frankie means well. Frankie tries, oh how she tries. She wants to create special moments for the people she loves so dearly. The only problem is, she’s a Type A Wannabe in a Type B Body.™ THAT’S ME! In fact, if I ever do get around to writing a book, that’s at least gonna be a chapter, if not the whole book.
So why am I telling you all this? Oh, I don’t know. Maybe it’s because I want you to know that when I say “Own Your Awkward”, I’m speaking from experience. Lots of experience. Lots and lots.
And I’m not here to tell you that every day I feel A-okay about it (even though that was a great rhyme), because I don’t. But in a weird way, I’m learning, even as we speak, that there is a certain okayness about not having to be ok every single day (there I go with the rhyming again!). That some moments are awkward. Some days just plain suck. But you know what? A moment is just that, a moment. And a day, though yes, it may contain a bunch of sucky consecutive moments, it’s not a whole life. It’s just a day. Not forever.
What I’m trying to say here is, while we own our awkward, we’re also growing into who we’re supposed to be. Who God made us to be. And sometimes it’s going to be hard. Even painful; whether painfully awkward, or just plain painful. But yea though we walk through the valley of the shadow of occasional suckiness, we can take comfort in the fact that there is a beautiful destination on the other side… if we keep walking. And if we face the fact that being who we’re meant to be is a job we’re not cut out to do alone.
God knows the real you, even better than you do. And sure, maybe you do have shades of Michael Scott or Frankie Heck, or whatever cringy character you hate to admit you identify with… but keep this in mind, my Misfit Friend. Even they have something about them that we love. Or why would we keep watching?
So, you ‘ve heard me say it before, and now you’ll hear me say it again: Own your awkward, friend. It’s the only way to get past it!
… Ok, I can’t help myself. For you grownups who don’t watch sitcoms, here you go: Exhibit A & B!
Isle of misfits 