Virtual Is Not the Same As Actual

     Photo Credit: Denise Valle

    I have this thing.


     I greatly dislike talking on the phone. And yet, I love the use of email and on-line chat when connecting with people. And now, I'm starting to learn why.

     It takes me a while to digest and process words and emotions. I like to soak in them first. I don't like to feel rushed into a response or an answer.

     I'd like to believe that I'm fairly articulate. But I'd also like to credit that to my constant ability to express my emotions through the written word. What I write online is just a small sliver of what I freehand journal on an almost daily basis.

     I journal almost every signifcant emotional and spiritual shift in my life. And with that said, that gives me time to digest how I truly feel about a particular person or event. Plus, hindsight is an amazing mirror.

     So to my friends old and new. Don't feel dismayed because I refuse to spend hours on the phone with you. The phone does afford me inflection and tone when listening to someone, but it robs me of one of my favorite things--eye contact. And while on the phone, I spend half of my time wondering if you are multi-tasking like I am.

     Granted, sometimes I do miss your voice. And will humble myself and just make that call. But just promise me you won't rush our "still moments". Silence doesn't always have to be filled. Even on the phone.

Wisdom's Knocking:

I don't care how advanced technology gets, virtual is not the same as actual.

I'm Like..."Just Wright"

     I recently saw the Queen Latifah and Common movie, "Just Wright". Which was a cute movie, by the way. Nothing to write home about it, but it got the job done.

     How many of us ladies can relate to the Queen Latifah character (Leslie Wright) in the movie. You know, being the kind of girl that all the guys love to kick it with, but not enough to date.

     Part of a line in the story synopsis, better explains that previous sentiment: "Is Leslie destined to play the role of "best friend" forever or will Scott finally see that what he always wanted is right in front of him?"

     By the time I finished watching the movie, I thought, "Dang, I'm just like Leslie Wright, except that I don't live in Jersey, drive a Mustang, root for the Nets, or kick it with NBA players. But other than that, we are practically twins."

Wisdom's Knocking:

Your affections are worth guarding. Don't settle for being someone's Plan B.

Make Like New

   

     So, I went on my little adventure. And now I'm a year older. The journey there was full of drama, rain, sleet, snow, hydro-planing, and little sleep. Mind you, this is not a metaphor. But in the end it was all worth it.

     Funny thing. I went on my little adventure, with purpose...I was after something that I wanted. But instead, I got something that I so desperately needed.

Wisdom's Knocking:

"You can't always get what you want, but if you try sometimes, you just might find, you get what you need." -- Rolling Stones

Skip Like Rope

     Photo Credit: Francesco / Artist: Banksy

     Well, I'm off to go on a little adventure. Not sure how it will all go down, but by the end of the week, I will definitely be a year older. I like the idea of that. I also like the idea that I'm aging gracefully. No, really. I mean it. And I'm not referring to wrinkles and such, I'm referring to my current outlook on life.

     Not dismal, but expectant.

     I've been knocked down. I've felt the punch. But haven't we all.

     The bell hasn't rung. And the round isn't over. I think I'm getting my second wind.

Wisdom's Knocking:

Everybody loves a good comeback.

To the Left or To the Right

     Photo Credit: David Whitlow

     I've written about this before: The ability to make choices and move forward with them. But I realize that I cannot move forward in a decision that my heart is not fully in, or even a choice that may have been made by default. I may expect the best outcome, regardless, but if passion, heart, and authentic curiosity are not somehow a part of the final decision, I'll be heavily tempted to buckle under the pressure of someone else's opinion or much more likely to resent the decision in the end.

     So with that said. I choose not to fall prey to a self-pity standstill, or ask someone to make a decision for me.

     Instead. I'll listen. I'll listen to what God has been whispering to me, and I'll let my heart respond in the way that it has been trying to, all along.

Wisdom's Knocking:

Patience is not a passive standstill, but an active assurance that the best outcome will come to pass.