On Night Hikes and Why Being Alone in the Dark with Your Dog Isn't Always a Bad Idea

Because someone new
Because I am afraid
Because I am not in control
Because I am tired
Because the dark
Because I am nervous for the unknown
Because sometimes the things I desire are very far away
Because I am still hopeful
Because I am not easily charmed
Because I fall too quickly
Because she is one of my best friends
Because I still want to adopt
Because "I see that I'm a little piece in a big, big universe. And that makes things right."

Also, cohesion.

On Loneliness and Others

I am not certain the last time I prayed. Except for yesterday, walking around the reservoir, dusty and hot, when I decided to talk.
I am quick to forget that mostly a prayer is a conversation. Yesterday was fairly one-sided, but I was speaking of others, so maybe that makes it more appropriate?

I think of many people on a daily basis, but only recently started making a focused effort on championing for their cause in the hopes that they are able to live into their truest selves. (what?) Don't worry, I still think of and about myself very much, but it's a good change of pace for my (mostly) selfish heart.

And how often I forget that I am not the only one trying my hardest on this earth!

Here is truth: I am terrified of being out of control. As of late, certain events surrounding my life and the lives of others have been wild in not always good ways. I wish so fervently to have these loose ends tied, stories packaged and wrapped, ready for the "grand reveal." (Please note, I do not know what the "grand reveal" is, only that I feel some sort of pressure to makes sure that things are ready when I do find out what it is.)

Here's to hope, grace & creating a heart that beats for more than just yours truly.

On Being Quick to Judge but Possibly Changing That

I am a ragamuffin.  I say this with humility, conviction and a slight dose of sarcasm.  I am proud of this self-diagnosis, proud of being disheveled, a little smug about being "not quite right." I like to think that I can relate to people, because I am not better than or trying to make anyone that way, either.

However (isn't there always one of these?), I find myself observing others whether in person or the online realm and making very quick and most likely incorrect assumptions about them.  Why do I do this?  Perhaps it is because sometimes I'm not so proud of being "not quite right."  Maybe I'm just tired or lonely or intentionally salty.  Maybe I want to be just like them, but don't feel that it's in line with being "me" and this is confusing and upsetting and a bit weird to process.  But this doesn't mean that it's okay or something I'm particularly proud of.  I guess it's just something I'm acknowledging, putting out into the universe and in some way being held accountable for feeling feelings and making incorrect assumptions.

Of all the things I don't know, what I do know is this: if I'm given the option to be right or to be kind (and most of the time there are always options), I want to choose kind.  Even if it means I get duped, taken advantage of or hurt.  Even if it means that people see me as a sitting duck and treat me accordingly. I want you to always have the benefit of the doubt.  I don't want to assume things about the charismatic speaker, or well-dressed ad rep (what is that even?) simply because I don't know what else to think.  I don't want to make judgments based on fear or anger or hurt.  I want you to have a chance to stand on your own too, not having to prove anything and maybe start figuring out what to do with the truest version of yourself.  (That's actually a lot less fluffy than it sounds.)

I assure you I am trying to do the same.

October

The days are shorter than last month and in the mornings I wake up in coolness, my overhead fan circulating the night breeze that snuck in between wooden shades & light curtains. Soon it will be time to change my bedspread, to air out the soft down comforter, to let things breathe. Cotton shorts are exchanged for drawstring sweats and sometimes I fall asleep wearing fuzzy socks even though I will tell you this is not possible.

And it has been months since I have fallen into such a routine and sense of normalcy. And, oh, how I have looked forward to these shorter days, the quiet nights, the half-hearted conversations that end just as easily and quickly as they had begun.

"This too, is a gift."

Little Beast

What started quickly:
Car ride
Dinner
Adventures for ice cream unravelled

Could just as easily have ended:
"I had a nice time."
"Good night."

But I had other ideas and you didn't seem to mind -
Until it was just as easily
Too much
Too soon.

When we meet again: more friendly//less playful
Lapping the lake twice,
I don't even have to
Ask.

The Slow Tail Wag

This is a post about my dog and what she teaches me about life. You have been warned.

 I like to think that Dragon mimicked Goose in what I will refer to as the "slow tail wag." The STW is different than a regular tail wag in that it is a constant. Apart from sleeping, the tail is in continuous motion, slowly waving back and forth. In terms of humanity, I like to think of the STW as someone who is content with their life. From the moment they wake up, to the time they lie down: all the minutes in between are lived well. There's something to be said about these kinds of people. (Well, there's probably a lot to be said about them) and I'm trying to think of someone in my life who has mastered the STW that doesn't have a tail.

I know that my life isn't the most exciting or adventure-filled, so I'm hoping the STW will be enough the majority of the time, or at least where I've been as of late. If you know any STW'ers, send em my way.

On Taking the Time and Growing Good and Other Painful Realizations

I had a rough week. Of course there are many reasons for this and if you really want to fight me on it I will not push back and say, "You don't understand!" Because, most likely, you do. And perhaps you've had a pretty rough week too. Let's commiserate. In the grand scheme of things, my week was not rough. But in my little world it was. And I am okay with that. And even though I am just learning how to feel feelings (both good + bad) and express them in appropriate ways, I have found myself overwhelmed with how sharply I am experiencing the aftermath of grief, loss, hurt & in some very strange alternate universe, a lingering fog layer of joy.

One thing I am knowing is this: it is okay to feel! I will not go off on a rant about how feeling hard things makes the good things feel "that much better," because that is not my truth. But I do believe that feeling hard things reminds me of my humanity and returns me to a place of humility that I am far too quick to avoid.

Things take time. Good things take time. I mean really, truely, deep down in my overly-sensitive, gentle heart I believe it. Physical time and all the other forms that time takes these days. It doesn't necessarily make things easier or make those not-so-nice feelings less painful, but it is a comfort. And I will not project into the future, because I have not been given that and I am trying to rest in the every day, but people keep telling me that "good things will come," or "things can only get better!" I know they mean well, but sometimes this cheapens the experience of today. Like, this is happening right now! Enjoy it! (Or hate it if it sucks) But please don't forget to be present. People are worth your time + attention + investment.

Be good to them.