JE NE SAIS QUOI
Feeling a lil something-something / feeling some kind of way
Receiving compliments used to be something that was hard to accept. I have always been so critical of myself and sometimes negative about many things in my life.
However, over the years I have grown and become a more mature positive person. I have changed my “Attitude.” Like that old cigarette commercial with the jingle…
You’ve come a long way, baby
To get where you’ve got to today
You’ve got your own cigarette now, baby
You’ve come a long, long way
If you can remember back that far, maybe you weren’t born yet. I used to love that commercial. It first came out in 1968 when the very first cigarette made for women; its ad featured “New Woman” free of oppression, smoking proudly. Smoking Virginia Slims was freedom; it was liberation for women! In 1969 and 1976, the ad actually included an African American Woman. In addition, this was the last cigarette commercial to be aired on American television.
In 1978, Virginia Slims Light was introduced. 1985 New Virginia Slims 120’s, longest slim cigarette of all was introduced, and in 1987, the Ultra-Light 100’s were introduced.
You ask, what does this have to do with anything? It is more about the jingle than the cigarette. Just thought I’d add little history behind the cigarette since it was made for women.
To lay it all out for you is that lately, I have been in that Je Ne Sais Quoi, moment. Feeling good about myself and life. Things still may not be how I want them to be or expect it to be but, in a comfortable place in life right now, don’t need money to feel good about yourself just a little confidence, good attitude and self-esteem can you make you feel a certain Je Ne Sais Quoi.
Here are a few scenarios that I have come up with:
1) As she sashayed down the corridor, there was a woman standing in the aisle observing her with a friendly smile. She stopped and greeted her with a hello and kindly asked, is there something that I can help you with? The woman continued to look at her smiling, and to in her response, she said no, nothing is wrong, you just walked down this corridor as if you were just free not a care in the world. She didn’t understand what the woman meant by free or if it were a positive or negative comment. Therefore, she just replied “I am,” and the woman said with humor in her voice, I know that’s right.
2) Arriving at her morning appointment, confident, bright-eyed and glowing, she was escorted towards where her doctor was seated. As he turned and noticed her approaching, they exchanged good mornings and he gestured for her to have a seat. He said to her; you look lovely today, really lovely, I just love your ensemble, really nice. She said, thank you, nice of you to mention.
Thinking to herself, (I just threw something on didn’t care if it matched or not, it was a very early appointment and no one would see me, and I would be heading straight home afterward.) Nevertheless, she decided against stating her thoughts and just accepted the compliment and felt good about it. It was uplifting and a great way to start the day.
3) Receipt of a compliment from a friend of a friend who just wanted to acknowledge that she was a person with a certain mentality, positive, energetic, very independent, happy, smiling, good attitude, and a hard worker. Considered as a good help-mate and a friend. She found this to be much unexpected, as she had no dealings with this person and no idea that she was thought of in this manner. They were but merely acquaintances. The compliment was accepted with a sincere thank you and that was the end.
You never know who is paying attention to you. Still, Never Judge a Book by it’s Cover.
Compliments can stem from one’s attitude, how you interact with others, so on and so forth. Change your attitude; try to be a more positive person. We can only change what is in our control and the rest we have to let go and let God. Only he can change the things we cannot.
Try to hold your head up higher, square your shoulders a little broader and walk little taller, have more confidence in yourself. Believe in yourself and try not to let others or things still your joy and happiness. Choose your battles.
When you feel better, you look better, when you look better, you feel better, and when you look and feel better, you act better. Attitude, positivity, self-esteem, and confidence – no time for low self-esteem–love yourself.
Not there yet but still moving forward and growing forward, one day at a time. Obstacles will continue to get in the way, you get over one hurdle and then here comes another one or two, and you know what, take it one at a time. Just keep going, keep jumping those hurdles. Life throws curve balls all the time, but you cannot let that stop you either, you are not a quitter, I’m not a quitter, life does not stop so keep going and pray for the best outcome.
Sometimes I get angry at situations, but I have to let it go. If I can fix it, fix it but if not, let it go. Some ask if I go to church? Let’s say, no, I don’t go every Sunday, but I go when I want to go. Doesn’t mean that I don’t believe in God because yes, I do believe in God. I know that he is my savior, my strength and my father in heaven, there is no me without him. Some may frown on that but it is my choice, and I have only to answer to him not man.
It doesn’t matter what you look like, what you have or where you come from, attitude is key and plays a very important role in life.
I have learned to love myself! 
Share your thoughts; tell, what your Je Ne Sais Quoi is
What I’ve Been Up To
Not too much lately. Still busy as ever with other things. Still writing, working on a few short stories and one novel. I do believe that I have major writer’s block. I have to stick with it or else who will write my stories? Haven’t watched anything new on television, trying to get back on a serious writing schedule. Back in the gym, it’s hard when you fall off. That’s all for now. Look for next weeks blog until then, mind your attitude.
Feedback on the new book cover of Slightly Bruised and a Little Broken has been positive.
Find me on https://www.smashwords.com/profile/view/msbraud63,
https://www.goodreads.com/author/show/14248996.Petite_Breaux
http://www.librarything.com/profile/PBreaux
Books available by author Petite Breaux the memoir slightly bruised and a little broken, the whispering of my heart, latest book fun with grandma all available online at
Petite Breaux aka just Deirdre. 