Popular by Maya van Wagenen (vintage wisdom for a modern geek)

One of my friends let me borrow this spectacular memoir by Maya van Wagenen, who was reeeeeaaally young when she wrote it! Like 15 or something. Anyways, it's about her doing a social experiment of sorts. The summer before eighth grade she finds the book Betty Cornell's Teenage Popularity Guide. Written in the 1950's by a teen model, she gives tips on becoming more socially acceptable and things like that. Though some of it is out-dated and you'll hardly find a 14 year old girl wearing a girdle, straw hat and pearl necklace at the same time anymore, Ms. Cornell also gives tips on simple dieting, tasteful makeup and how to talk to people around you. Maya decides to dedicate each month of eighth grade to a chapter of her book. The response she gets at first is not what she wanted, but she powers through, and at the end, her results are amazing! 

I hear you thinking. Being popular is overrated! They are all terrible people! She's fine just how she is! But in this book, Maya learns very valuable lessons and shows some serious gutsiness. I would never have been able to do what she did. And it really worked for her. Following the book pushed Maya out of her shell and her school's atmosphere was enormously improved by her, just one person! I also really loved the fact that the "vintage wisdom" is still mostly applicable today.

I'd recommend this for any teen girl, popular or shy, rich or poor. It was a great eye opener on how you don't have to look like a  paper doll to make friends. If you read it, please let me know what you thought of it!

Before

After

LIFE OF A BAD BLOGGER

WARNING!!!RANT AHEAD!!!

Alright, so it's 10:15 PM at this moment and I really want to be a good blogger. I know I kind of can't be because that's what this is about, but I can try right?

I'm hoping that naming my struggles by titling something that can potentially be seen by pretty much anyone, anywhere in the world, maybe I will get some help.
     
Ok, I have gotten a little help, by a few people. I made a button, blogged for almost nineteen days straight.
But I'm thinking that's not enough. After I publish every post, I go on a hunt for blogs like mine that might be interested in helping me out. I've been counting them too! About.....hmm I'd say zero. Now this is mostly my fault, but a little bit was the Internet. Before I started this whole hootenanny I did some research. Because this, my friends, would finally be the one. The famous one. People other than my best friend and Grandma would read. And all the big bloggers told me this,

Brenna, you have to be original. Nobody wants to read what they have already read. 

        And well, I suck at that. I guess this is kind of original, because nobody else blogs about how to Keep Calm and Lead On  but...please excuse me for a moment of self-realization.

Every body does this. Every single person does this, but in their own heads. I'm sorry for boring you all. All the time with this whole thing. I need a lot a lot of help. Maybe a co-owner, who only blogs on Thursdays? Or a prompt writer? Does anybody want a job? I'll make a team? Sorry, the title and URL are already set, but I could really use a Layout and Design person.
Ok, sorry, not recruiting, I just really like this hobby, and I feel like I was into it!-------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

For nineteen days! But then I lost it and it won't come back. Has anyone been in this place before? I really want to get back into this and I don't know how. What can I do to write original topics?

Funny story, I actually found a prompt writer, it was an online generator. You put in key words, of like what your blog is about, themes, ideas, whatever. And it takes your words, and puts them in a list  of titles like this---

• 14 Things to Know about _________
• How To: _______
• A Study on __________

Yeah, it's pretty great. Anyway, I really do need some help. Thanks. If you read through this whole thing, or cheated to see how it would end, I've cooled off now.
Also, I get it. It's a hard knock life, and we I better make this floor shine like the top o' the Chrysler building before my backside does. Got any superb cleaning ideas?

PIXIE HOLLOW PLEASE

This morning at church, the pastor was talking about Ephesians 2 (which is really good, thanks Paul!) and how as Christians we are God's temple, now that he adopted us into his family. That led me to start thinking about how we glorify God with our bodies (temples), which took me to pondering natural talents!
I wish mine was easy to find, like a fairy in Disney's Tinkerbell movies, where you just go through some sort of choosing process

Some people's natural talents are easy to spot but for a lot of people, like me, I have no idea! Which is unfortunate because I'd really like to be good at something. Something like:

• Leadership
• Public speaking
• Dance 
• Singing
• Instruments
• Calligraphy
• Hospitality
• Writing
• Organization
• Mentoring/Relationships
• Acting
• Learning languages

Fear not, you are a talented person who was made in God's image! If you have or haven't found yours, continue searching and doing what you are passionate about.
So, what are you amazing at? comment please :D thank you for your time! and what should i write about next?

KEEP CALM AND LEAD ON

Ok, I know, this is kind of strange for just a second post but this is what was on my mind, don't judge :P
Once upon a time, Brenna was eating lunch with some girls at school, who she wasn't really friends with, more of just acquaintances, and they asked her questions, like if she was scared to curse, or if she was a goody two shoes and so on. That inspired todays post about being a leader or supporter not a people pleaser! Everybody has different beliefs and world views so it isn't necessary that you agree with what I believe, but hopefully what my message is. I think it is important to stand up for what you believe in, and not give into peer pressure or anything like that. Blah blah blah, we've all been to that leadership conference. Now I'm not saying to shrug that off or anything  because it is a lesson we all have to learn. Like in the Lego Movie, nobody respected Emmet because he wasn't himself, he was whatever all the other townspeople were. He simply lived up to the expectation and stopped there. Practically anybody can do that, but it isn't a very good way to live (as seen on TV). And I know, a lot of people are born people-pleasers who just want to make everyone happy, but sadly that never works, because a lot of people's expectations are unrealistic and you get so tired of trying to please them that you get really depressed because you can't. I hope nobody has to live like that. Don't think I'm saying that you should never make anyone happy, that's totally different! Anyways, being a leader, or a supporter is being bold about what you believe in. People respect you for that. Just remember, being bold is not offending other people or forcing them to believe what you do.
"A leader is able to help followers to act for a certain goal that represent the values and the motivations--the wants and needs, the aspirations and expectations--of both leaders and followers."
- James MacGregor Burns


So next time you disagree with something, don't just give in, stand up for your opinions and hopefully do what's right.
Sorry that sounded like an episode of Veggie Tales (which I love anyway) but seriously, as you've most likely seen somewhere on social media, YOU WERE BORN ORIGINAL, DON'T DIE A COPY. Ah yes, I forgot to mention. Being a leader does not mean you will have servants working for you. Nooo way. It's hard, and sacrifice is vital to this job. I hope I didn't scare you :P But be prepared!!! Love you and thanks for your time <3