Let's All Just "Take It Easss!"

I love watching all the latest video updates from a TV/internet personality known as Big Time Tommie. Having some Sicilian background and being from "Lawn Guy Land"; I relate well to many of his funny mannerisms and ways of looking at life. He provides regular updates called "My thought of the day", which exemplify "Old school" or more traditional ways of living and looking at life. He always finishes his videos with the sentence "OS (old school) for life; take it easss." "Take it easss", or "Take it easy" is something that seems to be said constantly but not thought about or lived nearly as much. It's become habit for many of us to say this before leaving someone we met. The ability to not let everything get under our skin is something that takes time. At least it did for me. When I started to get more into nutrition, I vigorously looked up different benefits of foods and "harmful foods, toxins, etc..." thinking I was supporting health. I was doing just the opposite. Everything became viewed through this very narrow and unhealthy lens. I ended up on a very restrictive vegan diet, where I was more paranoid than I had ever been. This took years to develop and also years to undo. My narrow view, didn't see how this affected others including my family, who went above and beyond to try to support me in the best way. Big Time Tommie would not approve of me refusing to eat mom's homemade meatballs for some warped view. Eventually I realized the toll this took on myself and my family and friends, and gradually shifted to healthier, more inclusive and non-judgmental eating habits. 

Take it easss can be applied to many different situations. Some hold very rigid political, religious or ideological views that box people into contrived labels. I try to start with myself. I laugh at myself, realizing I can be very silly and quirky in different ways. Realizing and even celebrating our flaws at times can allow us to adapt a healthier, less judgmental mindset. Now THAT'S OLD SCHOOL.