So, recently I got a DVR. I know, welcome to the 2000s Kristen. A little behind the times, but with this recent found invention of the DVR, I am able to record Ellen DeGeneres all the time. Now, I can stop sneaking into the break room to watch it at work… I mean… Now I can stop “checking” to make sure the televisions are working properly in the building..
Now get to spend one night a week dancing my night away with my favorite guy (my dog), laughing my night away with my favorite gal (Ellen) and ugly cry like Bill Clinton who just lost his favorite balloon at the Democratic Convention when I realize that I am never going to be as cool as Ellen. I will never be able to have a DJ play ★NSYNC for me when I point, I will never be able to scare the living hell out of celebrities like she does and I will never be able to giveaway cars, million dollar checks or Ellen underwear to well deserving people. While some want to grow up and be NASCAR drivers or professional hot dog eaters, I want to be Ellen DeGeneres.
Maybe I don’t want to be Ellen in all ways, I like to wear dresses and date men, but I most certainly want to be like her. I want to be able to have a job that is as fulfilling as hers. I want to be as kind of a person as she is. I want to be able to make people laugh as much as she does. With that, I have learned so much from her that I try to put forth in my live and live by daily.
So here it is, what I have learned from Ellen DeGeneres:
- Laugh as much as possible. Doesn’t matter the situation, sometimes you just need to laugh it out.
- Dance. Everyday. Doesn’t matter where or when – let people judge you. It will instantly put you and them in a better mood!
- Be yourself. Doesn’t matter what people think of it. There is only one of you, so live your life as you choose to live it.
- It is okay to act like a fool, as long as you are having fun doing it. It doesn’t matter what people think or how you look, as long as you are having fun.
- Confidence is key. Not saying you should have an ego the size of Kanye, but confidence is a plus. If you don’t believe in yourself, who will?
- Men are the devil. Okay maybe she didn’t say they were the devil, but she has been able to live a life without one, so we don’t have to put so much effort on finding one.
- There are people in this world who have it worse than you. What might seem like a big problem to you, is just a tiny obstacle. There are people out there with bigger challenges – You can always overcome yours.
- Even if you can’t give what them what they need, you can make them smile. Sometimes all we can give is a bit of optimism. Don’t pass up the chance to make someone else smile.
- Just keep swimming! It took Ellen 13 years to get Finding Dory made, but she never let that stop her. Don’t let obstacles get in your way. Like Dory says, “Just keep swimming!“
- Be kind to one another. Our world is seriously desperate for some kindness right now. Stop the violence, stop the bullying, stop the hate. Just be kind to one another.
As cheesy as this may sound, at the end of the day (or at the end of the week when I get to have my DVR Ellen time), Ellen DeGeneres makes me want to be a better person. She is just that reminder that we can be doing good, no matter what path we are given in life. So I can’t give away millions of dollars or a home to someone in need. At the end of the day, you can give someone a helping hand or a smile, and sometimes, that is enough.
As Ellen ends every show,
“Be kind to one another.”
Featured image via “Ellen DeGeneres Plastic Surgery” by celebrityabc / CC BY-SA 2.0
