Tan and holding a margarita.

I started this blog about a year and a half ago to give myself a creative outlet to exercise my brain with something other than work. I enjoy writing and for years, friends have been telling me to write a book, but I don’t have nearly enough to say to write a book, so a blog felt like a fun happy medium. Some of the time I write to motivate or inspire, other times I write to entertain. During both of those situations, I write for other people. This one though, is just for me. A reminder of the person I am when I’m doing my favorite things and a nudge to do these things, and things like it, more often.

When I sit down to think of topics, some are inspired by work, some are inspired by funny things that happen and some are inspired by, honestly, a random song lyric that gets stuck in my head for three days. In this case, a meme I saw on Instagram inspired me.

I’m a better person when I’m tan and holding a margarita. Whether that’s on the beach with my sister in Hawaii or lounging in my best friend’s pool during the dead heat of summer, I promise you, it doesn’t get much better than that. Throw in a good book and I am in literal and figurative paradise.

I’m a better person when I’ve got my nephew or niece on my hip. These two kids. Man-oh-man they make me happy. Wesley, with his Bear and the high-pitched screech that only dogs should be able to hear, and Layla, with her long lashes (just like Auntie Lea) and big ol’ smile just send me over the edge every time I’m around them. Every single time Wesley asks for me to pick him up and puts his head on my shoulder, or when Layla gives me a little chuckle, I swear, I’d hand over my entire bank account to them right then and there. They can have it all!

I’m a better person when I’m wearing sparkles and holding a French 75. Gin (preferably Hendricks), lemon juice, champagne and a splash of simple syrup is the perfect combination for me. Throw in some sparkles and good music and I am a happy, happy girl. My friends like to refer to her as “Good Time Lea” and she’s fun, although she doesn’t come out nearly as often as she used to. (Probably for the best.)

I’m a better person when I’m not-losing at Phase 10. I am a competitive person for sure, and I like to win, but what motivates me more than winning, is not losing. A million years ago I was playing Phase 10 with my Sacramento besties, and I was losing terribly. Like really bad. If I remember correctly, I ended up leaving that day in a horrible mood and I’m fairly positive I apologized to them after the fact for being an asshole about it, or at least I should have. To this day, they give me a hard time about it, and even make me play that god-forsaken game on days like my birthday and going-away party.

I’m a better person when I’m sitting at a sidewalk cafe drinking a latte. Preferably in Europe somewhere. I swear, I am my very favorite version of myself when I’ve forgotten about my schedule, or my deadlines, and just sit and sip my coffee and people watch. I don’t get to do it often enough anymore, but when I do get the chance, it’s pretty amazing.

I’m a better person when I’m at a professional football game with friends. These are some of my favorite days in the history of my days. Regardless of the team, the city or the weather, we have a damn good time. One minute we’re drinking a beer, the next minute we’re singing the team song (a song that we’ve never heard of before, by the way) and I love every second of it.

Find what makes you a better person and do more of that. A lot more.