(Mar. 13/16) Night-Fall: What if there’s a monster under my…breath?!

Well, hello, friends (I took a risk just there…I hope I haven’t put you on the spot).  And, I’m hoping the unsweetened title won’t turn you off either.  After all, I find words irresistible, and I need to take them where I find them.

And, today, they are spelling out chances.

(*Between you me and the lamp-post, this is by no means the first time words have put me in a precarious position, so I don’t see why they’re acting like this is a novel occasion.

However, and for reasons known only to the Word Dictators—the inflated rulers of all  babble, ramble, and prattle—my words have a penchant for dramatics…so, let’s just humor them and see where they takes us*).

Oops—proving I can’t keep anything from them—and, true to aforementioned theatrics—they’ve stage-whispered a command (of the English language) whereby you must pronounce penchant with a French accent (unless French is your first language, in which case, as you were 🙂 ).

Now, back to risky business…

You can take ‘em or leave ‘em, but uncertainties are always lurking; so you might as well face them—rather than have them show up late-night, embittered, and with all the disregard of a spurned fairy godmother who curses you for not inviting her to your gathering (thoughts).

Consequently, it’s best I no longer ignore the elephant in the room…

or, more accurately, the monster…

no, scratch that, the Munster in the room…

Yes, things are a little clearer now–I’ve got a Herman Munster on my mind!

You see, the whole mess started when I made the mistake of reflecting for one-moment-too-long on a quote I saw the other week…and it set my mind off to the races.

Here’s the culprit…

“Practice kindness, but don’t become a doormat” (author unknown).

Having gotten it (mostly) half right throughout my life, the messenger is preachin’ to the choir….and the unconverted, simultaneously.

Here’s the thread that stitches my progressive patchwork of understanding together.

As relates to my latest challenge/growth, I’m seeking to balance my determination to set boundaries between

A) Me and takers/emotional vampires, and

________________________________________________________

B) My unsettling (.5) worry that this transition might trigger a (short-term?) cynical, rigid, and self-centered attitude.

Now, the evolved among you might be thinking that these are easily achievable/mutually exclusive ways of being.  However, I’m just not sure what has happened, internally, while I honed my people-pleasing skills, lo these many years.

Yes, I have come quite a good distance, with my kind heart intact…

but, sensing that increased blessings are ahead (which requires that I don’t let my good intentions get in my way), I am committed to taking things to a whole new level.

That’s the good news, and the scary news!

What if, much like Elaine’s love interest in the Seinfeld episode where—urged by Elaine to grow his lush hair back (rather than continue to shave his head)—I find, as he did, that I’ve gone bald (so to speak)?!

I’ve been biting my tongue for so long that, somewhere along the line, it has become the tip of an iceberg.

So much has been left unsaid…and undigested…

Now–having developed an intolerable sensitivity to coldness–I‘ve come to realize that I’m no longer willing to keep biting off more than I can chew…or stomach.

So, yes, I get that I need to love toxic people from a distance (though few in number, they are mighty powerful);

but, in the process of identifying them as such, I don’t’ want to lose my considerable capacity for compassion…

Nor, do I want to become distracted by grievances , and unforgiveness….

nor, gloss over my own imperfections.

We are all susceptible to expecting more from others than is reasonable—and I don’t want to add to my existing/diminishing baggage by weighing myself down with mounting frustrations and self-righteous judgements…

All that’ll do is reduce me to a knuckle dragger…

Which is as close to a monster-segue as I am going to get at this rate, so let’s go back to front.

Herman Munster was a pseudo monster…he looked like one, externally, but had a heart of gold—and innocence to match (think, “Nature’s First Green Is Gold” reference—found in my “About Me (part A)” post).

As such, he was mischaracterized….misunderstood…feared…and endearingly-clueless….

The difference between he and I is, he—despite episodic occurrences—was always surprised to find that he was the monster people were referring to…but, he never came to believe it…he knew who he was.

I, on the other hand, unsure what I will find once I allow room for All of my relevant thoughts/feelings to surface, am somewhat concerned that I might not be as charitable, patient, and kind-hearted as I (and others) think…

Oh!!!  And, just like that, there it is!  There’s the saving grace/culmination of the truth-will-set-you-free-moments I’ve been praying for!

Given the chance to share with you, I’ve found the discipline (and time) to take a good and honest look at what (up to now) I dared only look at peripherally…

Here’s today’s life lessen-your-burden:

Fear of risk is a trap.

It would have us believe that,

in light of uncertainty,

side-long glances are daring enough (in my case, wondering how much of the old me will be left as the evolving me emerges).

However, they can never provide a full picture…and leave us to fill in the blanks with imagined monsters.

The fact that I found the courage to face this head-on doesn’t make me anywhere close to perfect;

and doesn’t mean I don’t have a lot to learn (boy, I don’t doubt that! 🙂 )…

but, it reminds me that, no matter what it may look like—

no matter time and place—

I am definitely a Munster…never a monster.

Whew, this reveal-ation is such a gift…

Thank so much for your inspiration….for being here/hear for me.

I’ll post again in a week, and look forward to seeing your posts as well 🙂

God bless you!

 

34 thoughts on “(Mar. 13/16) Night-Fall: What if there’s a monster under my…breath?!”

  2. Your writing is wonderful and interesting and has such a great voice. Many writers have fallen into the trap of trying too hard to sound dramatic and profound, like a teenage vampire book; your writing feels natural, and it’s so refreshing. I look forward to more. 🙂

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    1. Oh, my gosh! Your comment is beyond anything I could have hoped for…thank you so much! I’m not sure if you’ve had the experience of writing something, thinking it was good–and then second-guessing yourself. Your generous feedback is such a confidence builder…and, I can tell that you are an awesome, sensitive, and thoughtful writer. I’m going to check your blog out and will “follow” you….I am so grateful and honoured that we’ve connected. Thank you 🙂

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      1. Thank you too! I’m so glad to hear that. It’s definitely not easy to avoid being over-critical of one’s own writing. But it means you care. I’m very excited to have stumbled upon your blog.

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  3. That was really good it cheered me up. you sir have a talent. i wish i had the same understanding of this whole blog thing as you do, im not sure what to write about because i fear every thing i write is just childish drama, but i dont know how to share my thoughts but not sound like i do. i would love to be a sort of under study of yours if your up for it, so you can show me the ropes because i loved that piece of writing.

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    1. Thank you so much for your kind, kind comment! I am really glad it cheered you up. I would be happy to help you any way I can, although I certainly don’t pretend to be any kind of writing “teacher”. However, I look forward to reading your posts and I will give you feedback 🙂 Your comment means a lot to me….thank you for taking the time to encourage me. I will “follow” you and we’ll stay connected, okay? 🙂

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    1. Sure thing…do I have to do anything differently? I clicked on it and it shows I’m “following”. However, it asks for a password…is that for your benefit, or do I need one to read your posts?

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  8. glad you directed me to this post.. can so totally relater to this post.. as you mentioned I am one of those evolved beings ( or at least would like to think so) but I have a friend who goes through the exact same things you have mentioned.. Nice knowing you Munster

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    1. Thank you…I absolutely love this comment! I am so glad to know that you “get me”…funny thing is, there is a good deal of pain that comes before I get to the place where I can write something from a whimsical standpoint…and it all comes to me very naturally (the writing part that is)…it is the lessons learned, and the sorting it out that is the tricky part. Lastly, I love, love, love you last line…you are a delight and I am so grateful to know you, too 🙂

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  9. Oh my gosh you talented person. Your writing is so unique and endearing and relatable and insightful. Thank you so much for sharing your gift with the world! I’m so lucky to have found your blog 🙂

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    1. Thank you for saying so….words every communicator wants to hear…I am home, sick (feels like the flu) for the second day in a row, but you have brightened my day by letting me know that I have contributed something good. Your kindness has made such a difference in a difficult day 🙂

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    1. While struggling to write my latest post, I decided to give my mind a break…and, what do I see? Your wonderfully-sweet message…it made my heart sing; and gave me a much-needed boost of confidence…my Briar Rose post has gotten so many more likes and comments than earlier ones, that I started to worry that I was a one-hit-wonder whose best work (a couple weeks ago) was behind her. Thank you so much. I’ve read 3 of your beautiful poems, and your ‘about page’ and am in awe…15 years old…anyway, I need to sleep for a bit, and will post comments to your site when I can focus and respond with clarity 🙂

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  12. Hiya Truly. I’m reading though your back catalogue whilst waiting for your usual weekly update (and I’m loving it).
    I just had a thought.
    How about posting an executive summary at the start of each piece. You could write the piece then go back and copy out the take away points and pop them in a summary at the start.
    It would help with the coherence of your work to do this and may also help you to cement your own learning (if – like me – you learn from yourself as you write). Report writers and journalists do this all the time as do those writing papers and write-ups for professional journals.
    Anyway – just a kind suggestion – no obligation – all my heart behind it. 🙂
    Kindest regards – Robert.

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    1. Oh, my gosh! If I understand you correctly, what you suggested is exactly what I wrote a “note to self” about as soon as I got to work this morning (I was a half hour early, and the idea hit me during my 15 minute drive). I am posting a new post this weekend, and if you get a chance to read it, let me know if it’s what you meant. I am quite excited to think that you and I are on the same page…which would make sense since we seem to understand each other well…also, thank you for taking the time to offer me kind suggestions….they are always appreciated… 🙂

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    1. You’ve made my day….thank you for taking the time to read my posts/offerings….it is so gratifying to know that you appreciate what I’ve shared….I look forward to reading more of your brilliant writings…I hope you have a really great day 🙂

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  14. Pingback: (July 23/17) “I’d Trade An Ocean Of Luck For A Drop Of Divine.” – trulyunpluggeddotcom

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