Night Lights

 Photo Credit: Lindsay Coleman

     I hate those days, when I wake up more tired than I was before I went to sleep. I mean, what's up with that?

     Actually, as I type that last sentence, I know exactly what was up with that. Last night, just happened to be one of those nights where I decided to process my whole life's journey up until Wednesday, January, 26, 2011. Needless to say, it wore me out.

     Speaking of which, hasn't the month of January seemed to drag on a bit more than usual? I mean, I feel like I'm somehow in the movie, Groundhog's Day.

     Time is truly relative.

     Anyhow, my life's recap last night wasn't as heavy as it has been in the past. In fact, I'm quite hopeful for the many changes that 2011 will bring, even if this year has had a weird and sluggish start.

     2011... Don't do us dirty. We're counting on you.

Wisdom's Knocking:

Before going to bed, count your blessings.

My Music Village

Photo Credit: Daniella Hovsepian

     Some of you feel the same way that I do.

     What would our lives be without music?

     As I write this, I'm listening to Zane Carney's beautiful Sketch of Amazing Grace, which he did for me years ago. The way that kid interprets music still gives me chills.

     And what is it about music that seems so magical? I love the idea of immersing myself in music, trying to find out.

     I've been blessed with a beautiful community of friends that love and play music. And not just any ol' kind of music, but they make goooood music-- in all different genres.

     To all the amazing musicians that I am privileged to call friends: You have made my life so incredibly rich.

Wisdom's Knocking:

Spend some time listening to old records. There's magic and mystery to be discovered.

Eat. Laugh.

    

 Photo Credit: Dana Tanamachi

     I tend to cover my mouth a lot when I eat. And, I'm also hesitant to laugh out loud with my family. I have this theory of Unveiled Vulnerability.

     To me, watching someone eat can either be incredible grotesque or extremely vulnerable. I was honestly brought to tears, a couple years back, when I watched people at a food bank eat their food on the side of the road.

     And as with eating, knowing what a person laughs at, if you pay attention, will tell you something intimate about a person.

     If I've laughed out loud around you, it usually means I feel free. And no, I don't mean, if I've laughed at you falling down. I mean, if we can honestly share a laugh. There's something so intimate about laughing. I can't exactly pin-point what it is, but your guard is down in a way that it's normally not.

     But when I laugh,  I feel that rush of excitement and freedom. At the same time, I have the slight fear of being judged for the particular thing I'm laughing at, but by that point, the laughter has already come out of me.

     What we laugh at gives away some of our secrets. And frankly, I don't know if I'm ready to give away all my secrets just yet.

     So with that said, I'll continue to occasionally cover my mouth while I eat, and pay attention to what I laugh at. I may learn something new about myself.

Wisdom's Knocking:

Who have you laughed with lately? You share more in common with them than you think.

Profound

Photo: Alicia Graf Mack

     

     Today, I felt this odd pressure to be profound in my daily post. But I find, that when I'm trying to be profound, I fail horribly.

     I had to remember why I'm writing this blog. I'm writing these posts, mostly for my pleasure. It's for the nourishment of my soul. If it nourishes yours in any way, that's simply the icing for me.

     And perhaps, through my random anecdotes and stories, you'll take away something encouraging or at least a laugh. But you'll most definitely get an intimate peek into my heart and character.

     In my search to be profound today, I also realized that any lasting life-changing wisdom that I've given to someone, usually happens on accident. And although I have a hard time planning my profound moments. I found that my humorous slant on life comes in handy. Many times, there's truth wrapped up in a good piece of humor. So a word, to you, my dear readers. If my sense of humor has gone over your head. I apologize. I'm probably too profound for you.

Wisdom's Knocking:

Humility helps you see things more clearly.

Boogie Down

 Photo: Leroy Hutson-- Album: Paradise -- Song: "Classy Lady"

  

     Am I the only one who sees the most dignified people in traffic digging in their noses? And I don't mean with a tissue. I feel ashamed when we both lock eyes right after they've been searching for the green treasure. We both give each other that look that says, "I don't know? It just happened. Just this one time. You understand. Good. Goodbye."

     I don't know when it officially became socially unacceptable to pick your nose (among other things) in public. It probably phased out with loud belching and farting in public. Of which I'm glad there's a new sense of discretion with those things. I'm just fascinated with the idea of intimacy, privacy, and identity connected to what we would describe as etiquette, or manners.

     Speaking of manners, if one unknowingly has a hanging boogie, the usual friend code is to hand them a tissue and tell them they have a "hanger/boogie". If it's a stranger, hand them a tissue, and just give them the eye. Which eye? It doesn't matter, as long as it's not creepy. Scratch that. It's already creepy that you're handing a stranger a tissue. Therefore, I'll get back to you on that one.

     But more importantly, I simply wanted to say, if I see you picking your nose in public, I will most likely lock eyes with you and try to pull you off that ledge. It just looks bad and unsophisticated. I know, I know, I should be way past such superficial trivialities, but we may have to shake hands later. And I'd rather not boogie down with your cold virus that is now attached to your hand. Plus, we're not in the first grade anymore, well some of you may be...emotionally. But that's a whole other blog. 

Wisdom's Knocking:

Sometimes the issues that we are hiding, are far more visible than we'd like to believe.