"It's a great day to be.... a brat?!"

So good news! Travis Tritt, one of my all-time favorite country singers from my childhood, is coming to Mesquite. Oh that's cool Crystal, you might think. No. It's not "cool." It's absolutely fantastic!! You know why? Because he is coming on my BIRTHDAY! What are the chances? The heavens are apparently smiling down on me. While the thought of spending my birthday in dirty, ole Mesquite doesn't thrill me, the idea of seeing Trav (that's just what he likes me to call him) in concert singing all the greatest hits like, 'Here's a Quarter (call someone who cares), Anymore, Country Club, it's a great day to be alive, etc... etc... cannot be missed.

I was sharing my enthusiasm with a coworker yesterday. Her response to my exciting news was, "Wow. I always knew you were a spoiled brat, but come on." Excuse me? Then she called me "Lucky" and I let her know that she was more than welcome to attend. "It's not a private concert... or anything..." Uncomfortable! I always wondered deep down how she felt about me and it just came spilling out...

I didn't end up attending this concert after all, but the lesson I learned from the experience has stayed with me. The term "spoiled brat" means a plethora of different things to different people. MY definition of a spoiled brat would constitute the following: someone who doesn't work because everything is already paid for, gets whatever he/she wants, WHENever he/she wants it. A spoiled brat has no clue what the word responsibility means and is someone who will eventually find the harshness of reality a huge slap in the face. With that definition considered, no. I'm not a "spoiled brat." I work hard to pay my bills just like the next guy. Very few things in my life are just handed over. On the other hand, I do consider myself extremely blessed and if that's synonymous with the term "spoiled brat," then I'm more than guilty. I have very little to complain about. I have amazing friends and family, a stable job, a roof over my head, a mode of transportation, the Gospel, health, food to eat, etc... I could go on for days. However, these things don't come without work and sacrifice on my part in one way or another.

It is sometimes a hard thing to not jump to conclusions or make assumptions about people, things, situations, etc... but I hope we can all take a step back and look at the big picture before we open our mouths and say/do things we may regret later.