My father used to joke around a lot and if I seemed offended, he would say, “Lighten up, Julie Ann” or “Julieta,” as he sometimes called me. He would say it when I was stressed about school work or some other big event, like a job interview or law school exam. I used to get so upset when he said this, “Lighten up” phrase. I hardly understood what he meant. Really. I thought so much about it. Should I not worry so much about this or that? Should I laugh it off like other people were able to around me? I was not sure. As I’ve gotten older and thought about his expression to me, I know in my heart that he was trying to help: don’t take things so seriously, relax already, stop worrying so much. But how on earth was I to do that? It didn’t and doesn’t seem possible. I am certain that each person is “wired” a particular way and now I know that I was wired (and still am) to take things seriously. People, other than my dad, have said to me, “You’re too sensitive,” which I see as a v...