Finding your Flair – What makes you stand out.

Currently, it is 1:38 a.m. on the eve of my busiest day of the week. 

While the most practical of people are long past counting sheep, I sit in my living room in a state of pure jubilance. To reference my current state to a feeling of motivation would be an understatement. Here I sit, practically two years into my Bachelor of Public Relations Degree and i’ve finally found it. I’ve uncovered my gift, my flair if you will.

As a painter connects paint and a canvas and creates art, I have married a blank document and my words to create my own work of art. For more than a year my brain has been in overdrive trying to discover what it is that i’ve been brought here to do. Sports: I hit the odd foul shot and spiked a ball or two but I just never felt fulfilled. Music: Let’s just say my short time as a trumpeter was comparable to a male elephant using its trunk as a mating call. Unfortunately, my few attempts to excel did not turn out the way a teenage girl would’ve hoped. So I spent the last few years lost in translation-waiting for the day I would be hit by the talent bus, fully prepared for anything the universe might throw my way.

During a recent visit to my hometown, my mother pulled out a shoebox filled with old report cards, projects and awards. To go along with the trip down memory lane came the nostalgic talk of my childhood and the creation of my “fireball” personality. Little did I realize, i’ve been writing with enthusiasm and persistence since kindergarden. Perhaps one of my favourite memories of young Kathleen (pre-boys era) is one my mother has reminded me of periodically over the years.

Mrs. Mac was my kindergarden teacher. With a big heart and loving demeanour she greeted us every morning with a warm smile and open arms. No surprise, I was the class clown immediately, always trying my hardest to lighten the mood. Later in the school year, Mrs. Mac announced she would be reading Cinderella out loud to us the next day. Without a second-thought I offered to bring my copy of the book to share with the class. I honestly cannot recall whether or not I actually had the book in my possession. That didn’t matter to eager to please Kathleen, I was going to write my own copy of the book for the class. My version of the Cinderella fairytale consisted of two pieces of construction paper, written so eloquently in pencil. I wish I could be a fly on the wall now and see the look on Mrs. Mac’s face the following morning when I presented Cinderalla – The revised edition. I can guarantee that five-year-old Kathleen was convinced I had everyone fooled.

Nostalgia is something I am always embracing in my life; on the plus side, I do a have hidden love for scrapbooking. Making my infatuation with nostalgia grow stronger whenever I stumble upon a half-dozen of them amongst my belonging in my fathers basement.

Realistically in the public relations program there are hundreds of students with the potential to become strong writers. Each year honing in on their skills more and more as they progress through the four-year degree. Having such fierce competition does not drive me to run but completely the opposite. Just like in volleyball, rugby or any other sport, competition motivates you and makes you harder.

There is hope for myself and other aspiring writers to stand out and have that edge that our competition lacks. The best advice I have ever received came from one of my PR professors. She advised me that by actively engaging in creative writing and journalling I am sculpting myself into a more rounded, influential writer.

“Practice makes Perfect.” A quote that couldn’t possibly be more relevant at any point in my life.

I may be a self-taught skeptic, spending almost six years in la-la land. But I firmly believe I am not the only one who has ever lost their sense of purpose. Soon to stumble and fall over what was up ahead all along.

For my friends, readers and loved ones who inhabited their skills and talents before they could walk-I’m proud of you and continue to do what you love.

As for those of you like me who can’t quite fit together the missing pieces. You are full of potential and talent you just need to open your heart and let it in.

Everyone has a mix of expertise and know-how inside of them. What separates us is the time life decides we’re ready to achieve greatness and a few curve balls we call life.

When ever you’re in need of that pick me up – remind yourself that when it hits you, you’re going to feel it like a jolt of lightening or a kick in the shin. Take it from a newly inspired hopeful, it is worth the wait.

A Fearless attitude can change everything

Kathleen xo

Job postings – Round One.. Complete.

As I stare blankly at this white screen, I can’t help but wonder.. did I apply for the right jobs? Did I apply for enough jobs? What if I missed a grammatical error?

The bitter-sweet side to it all is, i’ve spent the past year and a half dreading these next few weeks, perhaps losing more hair than one twenty-something woman should. All of that pent-up angst and fear over a word document. Let’s be real here, a word document that can make or break your opportunity with a company.

I felt this post was necessary to remind myself and other public relations classmates that we survived round one. If it wasn’t sunday night at 1:38 a.m. I would probably crack a beer (just kidding, mom). Instead, I let myself shower. More for the sake of my roommates rather than my own. If I was intending to boost my own morale I would perhaps start with the 15×15 square that is my lair. Once considered a bedroom, it is now simply a giant heap of clothes, text books and xbox games fighting for my love and affection. None of which will receive so much as a wink until March when I have successfully secured my first co-op position. Come this point i will be doing a victory lap around the pond in front of my apartment.

In reference with my blog title, “Fearless Red” I cannot help but feel undeniably Fearless, motivated and strong as I prepare to hand in my collection of resumes and cover-letters tomorrow morning. Being the high-energy, eccentric person I am, public relations is right up my alley. Not only do I tend to excel in my classes (electives being another story) I enjoy every minute of it and am constantly learning skills I will use again and again in the field. It is impossible for me to explain the passion I feel writing this now. It is passion like this that motivates people to do something for the greater good, or twerk on live-television like Miley Cyrus. Passion and Miley? Let’s be real.

So, to anyone who reads this or comes across it someday soon.. Do the things you love and love things you do. We only live one life, now go live it. I intend to. That life may include staying up all hours of the night writing cover letters, but I can’t imagine myself anywhere else.

love Kath

Define..Fearless.

You may be thinking, who exactly is Fearless Red? I could argue that I know little about her myself. Self discovery has always been the road less traveled in my life. Up until a year ago I could describe myself using only a handful of words; student, girlfriend, daughter, sister and friend. To elaborate more than that was a task in itself, because I simply did not know who I was.

Fortunately, with the age of twenty-one came a strong sense of independence and an urge to finally discover who I was on the inside, as corny as that probably sounds. I spent the last year of my life exploring the city of Halifax, crying in excessive amounts, falling for all of the wrong boys and earning strong, trustworthy friendships. Thanks to all the heartache and confusion of twenty-thirteen, I introduce a new and improved Kathleen, on a mission to find the woman she’s determined to become.. Fearless Red.