This morning I decided I would like to go on strike. My son asked what that meant. The explanation I came up with was that it was when people were unsatisfied with their work environment and the management wasnt about to change it. Funny to think of my personal life being managed by others (like my kids) but that sort of is the way it feels. Lately, I feel like I give a helluva lot more out than I get. To my kids, to friends and staff who are my friends, to family members etc. In fact, I have a hard time remembering the last time I received much of any kind of gift. Now remember, to me a gift is something given willingly (not asked for) that you do not otherwise have. It could be hugs, a back rub when sore, that compliment or dinner made when least expected.
How is it we get ourselves into this? Why is it some people (me and maybe you?) give and give and give until feeling dry and parched? Not sure, but I do know it must mean I am not balancing my life. I know without doubt there is too much work going on in my life. Then again, when you do what you love and love what you do - at least it can be an extension of your passion.
I am thinking perhaps I too need to stop and consider once again what it is that I dream of. Some things hold no allure (fancy cars, houses, or "stuff") but what still is shiny and bright in my imagination? What makes me tingle with excitement? It has been a while since I have felt that. Suppose I need to stop. Stop. and. pause. for. reflection.
Hopefully I can find time in the garden. To dig, feel the soil between my fingers and see growth and renewal, the sun warming my back..... and in that effort let my brain stop tapping away and just be.
Find the beauty in the simple. I am just one person recording my thoughts as they come in this 'journal' space. May they make you think.... provoke something. If you want to comment, please do!
Thursday, May 10, 2012
Monday, May 7, 2012
Generous Words
Some say words are meaningless. I disagree. Words have the power to cut someone to the core, or calm their fears. A vocal species... of course words matter.
It is learning to disregard the words of those you hold little respect or value for, and treasuring or following the words of those you admire and love that is key. Often I wonder if the written word has not become more powerful as social media sites like TWITTER and smart phone texting/BBM'ing become more prominent in daily life. It is a carefully crafted 140 character string of words that drives that engine. Words that live on in the diaphanous nether world of the internet long after they have been uttered. The old adage of my mother "think before you speak" certainly applies. Tweaked to think before you tweet (or post, or send....) it is even more applicable. Our words are tapped into phones, sent, and while not spoken they are communicated and out there. Unable to be retracted. Completely traceable and usable should the need arise. Heresay has a different texture as it isnt so much a gray area anymore with the digital age. You could just re-tweet, re-post, or link to the comment eliminating the gray area of "she said to Johnny who said to Jess who said to....". Crazy world.
I love words, big and small. For me, email and texting/BBM is more attractive than a phone call. It can have more clarity in that you must tap those words out on to a screen, review, then send.... yes, we lack intonation and expression but somehow, many of us have survived. The concise nature of texting appeals to me, amazing as I am a blabberer-talker type person, largely because it forces me to sort and condense. Plus, it makes me pause and not be overly emotional or forces me to ask for clarification. When I receive that text from someone special, it is lovely. Almost like a letter of days gone by. Shorter for sure, but no less sweet to open and anticipate the message. Perhaps it is the brevity that makes it sweeter.
I am sure people have expressed their love, or perhaps their hate via text messages and emails. Some may think it cold and calculating. I don't agree. The only unfortunate thing perhaps is you can't just save it away in a box to re-read years later. Our words can be so strong. Your words have been so provoking. Just like a face to face conversation, you don't know what the person ponders long after the talk has ended. The difference in our digital form is that we can re-visit that moment of conversation. Ponder it, taste it again and wonder.
It is learning to disregard the words of those you hold little respect or value for, and treasuring or following the words of those you admire and love that is key. Often I wonder if the written word has not become more powerful as social media sites like TWITTER and smart phone texting/BBM'ing become more prominent in daily life. It is a carefully crafted 140 character string of words that drives that engine. Words that live on in the diaphanous nether world of the internet long after they have been uttered. The old adage of my mother "think before you speak" certainly applies. Tweaked to think before you tweet (or post, or send....) it is even more applicable. Our words are tapped into phones, sent, and while not spoken they are communicated and out there. Unable to be retracted. Completely traceable and usable should the need arise. Heresay has a different texture as it isnt so much a gray area anymore with the digital age. You could just re-tweet, re-post, or link to the comment eliminating the gray area of "she said to Johnny who said to Jess who said to....". Crazy world.
I love words, big and small. For me, email and texting/BBM is more attractive than a phone call. It can have more clarity in that you must tap those words out on to a screen, review, then send.... yes, we lack intonation and expression but somehow, many of us have survived. The concise nature of texting appeals to me, amazing as I am a blabberer-talker type person, largely because it forces me to sort and condense. Plus, it makes me pause and not be overly emotional or forces me to ask for clarification. When I receive that text from someone special, it is lovely. Almost like a letter of days gone by. Shorter for sure, but no less sweet to open and anticipate the message. Perhaps it is the brevity that makes it sweeter.
I am sure people have expressed their love, or perhaps their hate via text messages and emails. Some may think it cold and calculating. I don't agree. The only unfortunate thing perhaps is you can't just save it away in a box to re-read years later. Our words can be so strong. Your words have been so provoking. Just like a face to face conversation, you don't know what the person ponders long after the talk has ended. The difference in our digital form is that we can re-visit that moment of conversation. Ponder it, taste it again and wonder.