2-26-2016

Ever noticed how on Blogs and a lot of social media people like to reference others with initials and not their names? Why is that? Are they protecting someone else’s privacy? Are they skittish about sharing a secret that they know they shouldn’t? Here’s my take on that whole thing – stop it.

Our world is pretty transparent anymore and mentioning only one initial does nothing but distract me from their message. My brain immediately begins cranking through the list of “who could she be talking about?” instead of listening and getting the life’s message I’m supposed to be getting. Women are particularly fond of the initials not names business. Is it because we are sensitive creatures and striving to protect our environments? Who knows? Maybe it assures them in some virtual and powerful way that it’s working. I am disinclined to buy into that.

So, you may ask, why is she harping over this weird little thing that NO ONE has ever noticed but her?? Because I feel like we ought to celebrate people and how they change us. And then say so. Give them the credit for how they treat us, what we learn from them.

What if they are mean and nasty and I just want to vent??

Even nastiness can be a learning experience. Not that I am advocating an all “sunshine and fluffy wonderment” sort of mentality, although more of that wouldn’t hurt anybody, but don’t you agree that we have all learned valuable life lessons from crappy situations?

Case in point: I was having a pretty crappy day a while ago. Junk floating around in my head was getting the best of me. I lamented to my friend David that today was just plain stupid and I was beyond irritable. He replied that it sounded to him like I needed a nap. Yeah, right! I can’t do that – I’ve got stuff to do and lots of it. I would feel terribly guilty even for a quick 20 minute power nap. And he said, “Part of being a creature meant to live in a garden is to allow the natural processes integral to the garden and your place in it to do their work. Taking a nap when that’s what you need is honoring the garden and your place in it.” Wow, I said, you are so smart! Where did you get this from? His reply? It’s the same advice you gave to me and I have been trying to live by it better.

Imagine that.