You guys. YOU GUYS.
Big Funny Kid, FG, Prom Date, AND New One are all coming over.
Tonight.
I haven't seen BFK in nearly a month.
I AM SO EXCITED RIGHT NOW.
That is all.
Thursday, December 29, 2011
Sunday, December 25, 2011
Life Advice From An Old Crow
I went to see my great-grandmother yesterday. She is ninety-five years old. It was the first time I had seen her since her birthday in September (I think), and I felt bad because I really should be seeing her a whole lot more. She's always so happy to see us.
Gram has lived through every major national event since World War One. She has the most incredible memories, and the stories that she tells are amazing and often come out of nowhere.
I learned a lot about life from my visit yesterday. We had been talking about my cousin's plans for college, and then she asked me if I had any plans for myself. I don't, really. Not for sure, anyway. She asked if I wanted to do theater, and I said that I really, really want to, and do you know what she told me?
She said that she hoped I could do it because she knew how happy it makes me.
I had no idea how much I needed to hear that.
A few minutes later, as she was trying to describe my clothing style, she let her voice trail off a bit. Then, she took my hand and told me, "you're just...you're just you."
I didn't think about it then, but that was a really wonderful thing for her to say. I've been searching for the words to define myself for such a very long time, and it was nice to be reminded that no matter what, I am me.
Thank you to the little old woman with the crooked fingers and hair like cotton candy. I owe you one.
Gram has lived through every major national event since World War One. She has the most incredible memories, and the stories that she tells are amazing and often come out of nowhere.
I learned a lot about life from my visit yesterday. We had been talking about my cousin's plans for college, and then she asked me if I had any plans for myself. I don't, really. Not for sure, anyway. She asked if I wanted to do theater, and I said that I really, really want to, and do you know what she told me?
She said that she hoped I could do it because she knew how happy it makes me.
I had no idea how much I needed to hear that.
A few minutes later, as she was trying to describe my clothing style, she let her voice trail off a bit. Then, she took my hand and told me, "you're just...you're just you."
I didn't think about it then, but that was a really wonderful thing for her to say. I've been searching for the words to define myself for such a very long time, and it was nice to be reminded that no matter what, I am me.
Thank you to the little old woman with the crooked fingers and hair like cotton candy. I owe you one.
Monday, December 12, 2011
42
I think one of the biggest miracles is just that people get out of bed in the morning. They don't have to. Nothing is stopping any of us from living completely unproductive lives and burrowing under our covers for the rest of eternity. But...we do. We get up, we dress ourselves, we go to school and to work, we interact with other people who have done exactly the same thing. Shouldn't we all be patting each other on the backs, congratulating ourselves for being strong enough to face the day?
We are extraordinary, really. The human race practices so much restraint every day. If you think about it, there is nothing stopping you from doing whatever it is you wish to do-except yourself. If you wanted to break a law tomorrow, you could. But you don't-not because the law is keeping you from doing it, but because you fear the consequences of breaking the law. If we rolled through life with no consequences, imagine all of the things we would do. It would be awful. Each day is an exercise in self control. It's fascinating when you take the time to ponder over it for a little while.
People are so interesting to me. They are so complex. Part of the reason why I love everyone is because I see that complexity and appreciate it to its fullest extent. I see everyone as the most interesting person in the world. I just love listening to people talk, hearing their voice and reading their body language. For me it is more fun to watch and listen than to speak because I enjoy learning as much as I can about people. And I already know pretty much everything about myself.
This has been Deep Thoughts On Life And Humanity with MurrBeth.
We are extraordinary, really. The human race practices so much restraint every day. If you think about it, there is nothing stopping you from doing whatever it is you wish to do-except yourself. If you wanted to break a law tomorrow, you could. But you don't-not because the law is keeping you from doing it, but because you fear the consequences of breaking the law. If we rolled through life with no consequences, imagine all of the things we would do. It would be awful. Each day is an exercise in self control. It's fascinating when you take the time to ponder over it for a little while.
People are so interesting to me. They are so complex. Part of the reason why I love everyone is because I see that complexity and appreciate it to its fullest extent. I see everyone as the most interesting person in the world. I just love listening to people talk, hearing their voice and reading their body language. For me it is more fun to watch and listen than to speak because I enjoy learning as much as I can about people. And I already know pretty much everything about myself.
This has been Deep Thoughts On Life And Humanity with MurrBeth.
Sunday, December 11, 2011
Just In Case You Didn't Already Know Everything About Me
I had the opportunity to take the Gallup StrengthsFinder Test a little while ago. Basically, you answer a whole bunch of questions and Gallup matches you with your top five strongest personality traits. They actually have a list of 34 traits, and the probability that someone else has the exact same ranking for all 34 is something like one in 63 billion. It's very, very personal and super cool. So I thought I'd share mine with you.
Trait: Includer
"Stretch the circle wider." This is the philosophy around which you orient your life. You want to include people and make them feel part of the group. In direct contrast to those who are drawn only to exclusive groups, you actively avoid those groups that exclude others...You hate the sight of someone on the outside looking in...You are an instinctively accepting person. Regardless of race or sex or nationality or personality or faith, you cast few judgements. Judgements can hurt a person's feelings. Why do that if you don't have to? Your accepting nature does not necessarily rest on a belief that each of us is different and that one should respect these differences. Rather, it rests on your conviction that fundamentally we are all the same. We are all equally important. Thus, no one should be ignored. Each of us should be included. It's the least we all deserve.
Trait:Input
You are inquisitive. You collect things...Whatever you collect, you collect because it interests you. And yours is the kind of mind that finds so many things interesting. The world is exciting precisely because of its infinite variety and complexity...If you like to travel, it is because each new location offers novel artifacts and facts. These can be acquired and then stored away. Why are they worth storing? At the time of storing it is often hard to say exactly when and why you might need them, but who knows when they might become useful? With all those possible uses in mind, you don't really feel comfortable throwing anything away. So you keep compiling and filing stuff away. It's interesting. It keeps your mind fresh. And perhaps one day some of it will prove valuable.
Trait:Empathy
You can sense the emotions of those around you. You can feel what they are feeling as though their feelings are your own. Intuitively, you are able to see the world through their eyes and share their perspective. You do not necessarily agree with each person's perspective. You do not necessarily feel pity for each person's predicament [or] condone the choices each person makes, but you do understand. This instinctive ability to understand is powerful...Where others grapple for words, you seem to find the right words and the right tone. You help people find the right phrases to express their feelings-to themselves as well as to others. You help them give voice to their emotional life. For all these reasons other people are drawn to you.
Trait:Strategic
The strategic theme enables you to sort through the clutter and find the best route. It is not a skill that can be taught. It is a distinct way of thinking, a special perspective on the world at large. This perspective allows you to see patterns where others simply see complexity. Mindful of these patterns, you [are] always asking "What is this happened? Okay, well what if THIS happened?" This recurring question helps you to see around the next corner. There you can evaluate accurately the potential obstacles. Guided by where you see each path leading, you start to make selections. You discard the paths that lead nowhere...You cull and make selections until you arrive at the chosen path-your strategy. Armed with your strategy, you strike forward. This is your Strategic theme at work: "What if?" Select. Strike.
Trait:Adaptability
You live in the moment. You don't see the future as a fixed destination. Instead, you see it as a place that you create out of the choices that you make right now. And so you discover your future one choice at a time. This doesn't mean that you don't have plans. You probably do. But this theme of Adaptibility does enable you to respond willingly to the demands of the moment even if they pull you away from your plans. Unlike some, you don't resent sudden requests or unforeseen detours...on some level you actually look forward to them. You are, at heart, a very flexible person who can stay productive when the demands of work are pulling you in many different directions at once.
It's kind of scary how well these fit me. But I've really embraced them all and I am able to understand why I do things the way I do. And maybe you do now as well.
Goodnight, my dears.
Trait: Includer
"Stretch the circle wider." This is the philosophy around which you orient your life. You want to include people and make them feel part of the group. In direct contrast to those who are drawn only to exclusive groups, you actively avoid those groups that exclude others...You hate the sight of someone on the outside looking in...You are an instinctively accepting person. Regardless of race or sex or nationality or personality or faith, you cast few judgements. Judgements can hurt a person's feelings. Why do that if you don't have to? Your accepting nature does not necessarily rest on a belief that each of us is different and that one should respect these differences. Rather, it rests on your conviction that fundamentally we are all the same. We are all equally important. Thus, no one should be ignored. Each of us should be included. It's the least we all deserve.
Trait:Input
You are inquisitive. You collect things...Whatever you collect, you collect because it interests you. And yours is the kind of mind that finds so many things interesting. The world is exciting precisely because of its infinite variety and complexity...If you like to travel, it is because each new location offers novel artifacts and facts. These can be acquired and then stored away. Why are they worth storing? At the time of storing it is often hard to say exactly when and why you might need them, but who knows when they might become useful? With all those possible uses in mind, you don't really feel comfortable throwing anything away. So you keep compiling and filing stuff away. It's interesting. It keeps your mind fresh. And perhaps one day some of it will prove valuable.
Trait:Empathy
You can sense the emotions of those around you. You can feel what they are feeling as though their feelings are your own. Intuitively, you are able to see the world through their eyes and share their perspective. You do not necessarily agree with each person's perspective. You do not necessarily feel pity for each person's predicament [or] condone the choices each person makes, but you do understand. This instinctive ability to understand is powerful...Where others grapple for words, you seem to find the right words and the right tone. You help people find the right phrases to express their feelings-to themselves as well as to others. You help them give voice to their emotional life. For all these reasons other people are drawn to you.
Trait:Strategic
The strategic theme enables you to sort through the clutter and find the best route. It is not a skill that can be taught. It is a distinct way of thinking, a special perspective on the world at large. This perspective allows you to see patterns where others simply see complexity. Mindful of these patterns, you [are] always asking "What is this happened? Okay, well what if THIS happened?" This recurring question helps you to see around the next corner. There you can evaluate accurately the potential obstacles. Guided by where you see each path leading, you start to make selections. You discard the paths that lead nowhere...You cull and make selections until you arrive at the chosen path-your strategy. Armed with your strategy, you strike forward. This is your Strategic theme at work: "What if?" Select. Strike.
Trait:Adaptability
You live in the moment. You don't see the future as a fixed destination. Instead, you see it as a place that you create out of the choices that you make right now. And so you discover your future one choice at a time. This doesn't mean that you don't have plans. You probably do. But this theme of Adaptibility does enable you to respond willingly to the demands of the moment even if they pull you away from your plans. Unlike some, you don't resent sudden requests or unforeseen detours...on some level you actually look forward to them. You are, at heart, a very flexible person who can stay productive when the demands of work are pulling you in many different directions at once.
It's kind of scary how well these fit me. But I've really embraced them all and I am able to understand why I do things the way I do. And maybe you do now as well.
Goodnight, my dears.
Tuesday, December 6, 2011
Yeah...I Guess I'm Back...
I've decided for now that maybe it's time for me to come back. My brain is getting angry at the rest of me for not posting new things.
Oh, who am I kidding. It was a big step for me just to go to this page. I am pushing myself really, really hard right now to write anything down.
I feel like I owe you all an explanation of what exactly is going on with me. I'm having some emotional issues which began about a month ago and grew much worse last week. Looking back at my journal entries, I am able pinpoint just exactly when this all started-it's funny that I didn't realize what it was at first. I'm not a particularly observant person when it comes to myself. But I'm really, really good at picking up these kinds of things in other people. I pick changes in speech patterns and respond to body language in a way that I don't think a lot of people can. I wonder why that is. I just love listening to people, I guess.
You have no idea how weird it is to be back here. Well, maybe you do. Maybe you can read into all the reluctance and the caution and the lack of motivation that I think is taking a leisurely stroll through my brain right now. Actually, that is happening all the time now. I just don't want to do anything.
People keep reading this and telling me it makes them sad. And I'm sorry that you're sad and everything, but please please please don't tell me of all people. I don't want to sound mean right now, so I am going to leave it at that. Ugh, but there are so many things I want to say about this.
Oh, who am I kidding. It was a big step for me just to go to this page. I am pushing myself really, really hard right now to write anything down.
I feel like I owe you all an explanation of what exactly is going on with me. I'm having some emotional issues which began about a month ago and grew much worse last week. Looking back at my journal entries, I am able pinpoint just exactly when this all started-it's funny that I didn't realize what it was at first. I'm not a particularly observant person when it comes to myself. But I'm really, really good at picking up these kinds of things in other people. I pick changes in speech patterns and respond to body language in a way that I don't think a lot of people can. I wonder why that is. I just love listening to people, I guess.
You have no idea how weird it is to be back here. Well, maybe you do. Maybe you can read into all the reluctance and the caution and the lack of motivation that I think is taking a leisurely stroll through my brain right now. Actually, that is happening all the time now. I just don't want to do anything.
People keep reading this and telling me it makes them sad. And I'm sorry that you're sad and everything, but please please please don't tell me of all people. I don't want to sound mean right now, so I am going to leave it at that. Ugh, but there are so many things I want to say about this.
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)