(Oct. 09/17) “Giving Thanks For Survivable Nightmares Such As Monster Mash(ed) Potatoes” :)

Hello, Wonderfuls 🙂 Today’s post—an ode to Thanksgiving and Halloween—is proof that life is indeed a bowl of (cran)berries—for, not only can one make up for lost mine…you can find yourself a head, too!

Context: Here’s another lesson in pace-sense/cents…

proof that it pays to remember that “you can’t hurry, Love…you just have to weight” for balance to shift in your favour….

And, on that Supreme(s) note, here’s the inspiration that’s found me write on time and early today:

Last week’s plan was to post this weekend, but, Smartie pants that I am, I knew there’d be cracks in my sugar-coded offerings if I tried to rush the process…

so, I waited…

Then, this (Thanksgiving) morning I awoke to find that—over nights—Me, Mys-elves, and I stumbled upon stepping stones destined to elevate me above stumbling blocks…

And, while said stumbling blocks aren’t always few and far between,

they do come in an array of (“Turn my whole world misty) blue(s)”—

So,  in the event you’re one of those sensitive souls who sometimes finds that looking for inner peace is like looking for a needle in a haystack,

(*Which, as it turns out, applies to everyone…it’s a feature of the human condition*)

I’ll clarify, and then offer encouragement.

If you consider the expression, “Things are never so bad that they can’t get worse”, perhaps you’ll take comfort (food) in knowing that your quest isn’t analogous to finding a magic spud in a bowl full of mashed potatoes…

For, where there’s a will, there’s a weigh (your options).

In other words, rest as needed, but don’t ever give up—

for, there’s a world of difference between really, really hard (the haystack analogy) ….and, impossible (the (“Monster) Mash”ed potatoes analogy).

And, for me, Dazzlers, the world that makes all the difference is found in the land of whimsy and levity…

Reading and writing is found beneath those dreamy skies…and, I’m delighted to be the sleepy-village giddy-ot…able to laugh at the drop of a hat…or, a slip on appeal (*of the bananas variety 🙂*).

However, I’m also an empathetic dreamer who—just as we are triggered to yawn when others yawn—feels others’ pains.

Which brings me to an aside note….

It hit me this week that it’s not simply laziness that makes me reluctant to shop for groceries…

It’s my “Sixth Sense”…

“I see dread people”!

Okay, I can imagine your furrowed brow and polite frustration,

but if you’ll stray with me,

I’ll water the seeds of my blooming point….

Highly sensitive, it makes sense that being in a large building full of people seeking (comfort in) food—while they endure the stress of the high cost of living—would take an emotional toll on someone like me…an emotional Sponge Bob who’s learning how to erect increasingly protective boundaries.

Which brings me back to my initial train of thought…

Remember how I’ve been sharing (in previous posts) that someone I loved and trusted…then didn’t trust…but trusted again, and again…and, no longer trust (for the final time) left me a “bawl of confusion”?

Well, water you know?  “I can see clearly now the rain has gone”! 🙂

Because I feel so deeply, my story’s chapters have been character-ized (whether platonically or romantically) by one main person in whom I invest fully.

For better and worse, that person is the one who gets to see and know me best—and, I’d do most anything for that person…

within a context of dysfunction, the relationship is akin to one-stop-shopping where I am buying (-in) and selling (out) simultaneously.

I’ve come to see that—

absent a full understanding of my sensitivity—

this practice has been in service of my life-long efforts to fiercely protect mine and another’s hearts/feelings;

while fulfilling my need for deep and sustained connection–and mitigating the vulnerability inherent in fear of rejection.

And, this has resulted in me putting (most) of my emotional eggs in one basket (case)…shared by me and the object of my affection…(wounded) birds of a feather that flock together.

However–because I’m inherently/overridingly a people person–to a slightly lesser extent, I’ve always been drawn to caring for/about many others, as well…

especially the underdogs, the misunderstood, the dark horses and still waters…the unsung Amazers 🙂

And, divinely, others have always been drawn to me…

This is the saving grace that’s made me realize I’m not as wounded as I’ve imagined…

For, I get it’s not toxic people/relationships that I miss…

It’s the protective properties of the love I had for them…

Given that love makes everything bearable, my pain stemmed from the loss of the love I feared I no longer had a safe, warm, inviting home for….

And, figuratively and literally, homelessness is one of my greatest nightmares (a product of being displaced as a very young child).

However, in this moment, I am on top of the world, looking at the bigger picture…

And from here, I spy with my little why, more of the peaceful answers I’ve been looking for…

Actually, not the Why so much, as the How:

As a highly sensitive person, how does one make sense of messages from (even well-meaning) people who advise you to toughen up–translated as, resigning yourself to the mythical/inescapable truth that the world is (exclusively) a cruel and cold place?

In addition to a lack of appreciation for my unwillingness to live in such a place….this approach is as appealing as a punitive authority demanding that you go and find/bring them a switch (stick, belt etc.) to (brow) beat you with.

Compounding the issue is,

acting on this—grow-a-thicker-skin advice (which sounds suspiciously like a demand)—would strip me of the protective layers needed to keep me warm in the cold parts of the world others are trying to help me survive.

What I’m leading up to is this:

(*And, please try to understand that I must go where my circular thinking takes me in order to get straight to the point 🙂 *)

Once you find the courage to seek the path always meant for you, you will find others who are familiar with that alternate route…

A path founded on optimism, trust in the inherent goodness of people, and a knowing that we can—and will—continue to make a better world for everyone (not just the fittest/hungriest dogs).

And, here’s another coalescing realization I hope is helpful:

As relates to a continuum of personality where “Introvert” is at one extreme,

and “Extrovert” at the other,

I no longer think of myself as an introvert—

Falling somewhere in the middle,

“Ambivert” fits the bill if I consider that my desperate need for solitude is a consequence of having a giving/sensitive nature, while working in a profession where caring and empathy are predominant features/requirements.

This results in double duty—two full-time jobs…

As such, my need to be alone is my way of turning off the face-to-face, energy draining, empathizing that comes so naturally.

And, down-time gives me room to recharge and contemplate how to best sort out the potatoes (protective/emotional boundaries) that I’ve been mashing…given that I was born with a tarnished potato masher in my hands.

And, I really hope that last thought doesn’t read as bitter, for my heart is smiling at the thought that I am one of the luckiest ones…for love has always found me when I need it most…

And, it’s giving me room to risk giving increasingly/incrementally more of me to more people…

(*Though, admittedly, you are privy to my process in a way I don’t verbalize–and my face-to-face interactions have lost a good measure of the arms-flung-wide-open approach of days gone by*).

But, what I hope you’ll take away from this (on time/Canadian) Thanksgiving offering—and (early) Halloween treat is…

Please take it from someone who is reclaiming the life always meant to be hers…

If you find yourself in a rut, don’t worry, you can definitely “get your groove back”; for…

the more you love and respect yourself, the more you’ll be loved and respected in the way you needed when you didn’t feel worthy of either…

And that, Delightfuls, is how you and I can hold on to the faith that, come what may, (seemingly) lost love will find its place…

And this time, the odds are so much greater that it won’t be uprooted ever again. 🙂

Thank you for everything…and, I do mean everything…for, there is nothing greater than supportive connections.

God bless you and your loves.

Affectionately,

Truly

P.S. Monster Mash, is an enduring (1962) hit by Bobby Pickett, “You Can’t Hurry Love (you just have to wait”) is a Diana Ross and The Supremes (1966) hit, “(…turn my whole world) Misty Blue” was first released in 1967, but I love Gladys Knight and the Pips version; Ball Of Confusion (1985) cover tune by Love and Rockets; “The Sixth Sense” is an ( 1999) Bruce Willis movie about a child who has extrasensory perception, and one of the iconic lines is “I see dead people”; Sponge Bob is an exuberantly optimistic cartoon character/sponge; “How Stella Got Her Groove Back” is a (1998) movie starring Angela Bassett.

http://www.famousfix.com/topic/gladys-knight-misty-blue

https://www.forbes.com/sites/travisbradberry/2016/04/26/9-signs-that-youre-an-ambivert/#2e8b1935531

 

 

35 thoughts on “(Oct. 09/17) “Giving Thanks For Survivable Nightmares Such As Monster Mash(ed) Potatoes” :)”

  1. I think we are very much kindred spirits… I wish I could get to where you’re at though. Still struggling over here. And on that note I am reminded of Erma Bombeck… If life is a bowl full of cherries, what am I doing here stuck in the pits? Or Why is the grass always greener over the septic tank? Anyway, she said something to that effect. Lol…

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  5. For some reason, https://orangeorchards.wordpress.com/ comments register as spam and I can’t figure out how to retrieve them…but she was kind enough to post this comment under a comment I left on her blog…It’s made my day and I want to remember it 🙂
    ” ❤ Your posts are always AMAZING! I smile every time I read them, so witty, full of great stuff. I do mean it when I say I wait for them. ❤

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  6. I do love to ‘stray’ without you and circular thoughts before they come straight to the point 😀 As usual an enjoyable post which carries an important message – well done! Btw I left a note for you at Orange’s post on how to retrieve your spam comments. Hope it helps! Happy Thanksgiving 🙂

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  7. Such a lovely post to give thanks for, Truly.
    I’m laughing so hard over your sixth sense and seeing “dread” people. Ha ha – Your witty use of language and puns is magnificent.
    And then – snuggled in there are very profound thoughts related to struggles in a relationship and the feeling of homelessness. I am sorry for all of your hurts but it certainly sounds like your made some huge strides moving forward into a more empowered place to be. I love your musings and strength you’ve gotten from them.
    Wishing you a lovely Thanksgiving!

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    1. It’s so heartwarming to hear that my humor and affinity for shaping language is appreciated…it brings me so much joy, relief, and release…it makes fun out of what has been challenging…it feels great to feel it flow through me, and great to know that it makes others happy and think…and, the fact that it helps is priceless. As you know, we each do what we know how…thanks for encouraging and supporting me with your kind words 🙂

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  8. Hello, my friend – when I saw that I had another delightful post of yours to ponder, I could hardly wait to sink “my teeth” into your wordplay – this time I found a new word to describe my wanders through those introvert/extrovert sides of myself, “ambivert”! My absolute best days are always a combination of alone time and wanders through my neighbourhood (meeting & greeting humanity!)…thank you for sharing & teaching us the ways of your beautiful world!

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    1. Your positive regard is, simultaneously, humbling–and makes me feel like a literary superstar. The thought of someone being excited to get lost in my latest offering is the highest praise/response I could ever hope for! Thank you, my friend 🙂

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  10. As I try to impress on people the importance of discovering and pursuing passion in life, you have innately achieved this mission through the use of words and the emotions they elicit. It takes enormous talent to make people laugh and cry in the same sentence read. You combine wit, joy and heartache in a very relatable manner that brings your readers closer to you without piercing any protective defensive walls (you or they) may possess. Your effort is well appreciated by ALL of us!

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    1. This is the type of response a writer could only dream of…you so adeptly captured my approach to my calling (my intentions, hopes, the messages between the lines, my vulnerabilities and those of the reader) that it tore a stunned/relieved/grateful sob from my soul. Thank you…thank you…thank you. You will be noted in my upcoming post, given that your generosity is the stuff of game-changing momentum. You are such a blessing 🙂

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  11. Hi Truly,
    I love how you played with the words 🙂 Reminds me of a Dutch saying, freely translated: The soup is never eaten as hot, as it is served. Meaning, take a breath, don’t react to quickly, because the issue might not be so worse after all.
    Sending you a big hug again, XxX

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  15. Inspiring… Thank you so much!

    I especially was touched by these words:

    “the more you love and respect yourself, the more you’ll be loved and respected in the way you needed when you didn’t feel worthy of either…

    …hold on to the faith that, come what may, (seemingly) lost love will find its place”

    What a fantastic grouping of words… (that sounds mechanical but often words are the best gifts… especially when they ring true and inspire hope)

    (I also liked the following phrase… but just because it made me smile)

    “putting (most) of my emotional eggs in one basket (case)”

    I am so happy that I have the opportunity to read your blog… and while we have never met reading you has been a real privilege and I believe I am better off because of your words.

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    1. I was at work, having a deep conversation with my friend/colleague at the end of a busy day–and, I logged on to read something to her…and, there you were. I told her how excited I was to “see” you, and about how amazing you are…and how unique and fantastic your blog is. And, because I have a cherished bond with her, I decided to share your comment with her–and told her about all the ways it was a sign that I am following the right path. It thrilled and moved me that the quotes you mentioned are my favorites too–including “…basket (case) 🙂 But it was your closing thought that gave me pause as I was moved to tears. And, please believe this isn’t just politeness–I am a better me–and writer– because of my connection with you. Your words are a gift I never could have expected. Thank you a million times over, Adam 🙂

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  16. When I read a Truly post
    I count the puns, I find the most
    Wordplay that you ever saw
    It never sticketh in my craw
    Crunchy words all sugar-frosted
    I wolf ’em down, now I’m exhausted!!

    The truth is often spoken in jest, so ’tis fitting that wordplay is the language of the heart…

    Dear me– am I becoming philosophical?? Always a dangerous sign.

    So I say: thank you for the beautiful thoughts and words, dear Truly, and the gift of your spritely, effervescent self. Now I’m off to a Halloween party to bob for sponges and caramelize some apples… 😊

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    1. Oh, my gosh…this is the most delightful and creative comment I could ever hope for/inspire….your writing is a stroke of genius…as is your artistry…thank you for honoring me with your time and heart and positive regard….I can’t tell you how much it means to me (but, I’ve tried) !:)

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