Joplin Little Theater Presents Arsenic and Old Lace

I enjoyed a fun evening with my sisters, Linda and Debbie. We joined a full house at Joplin Little Theater, for the production of Arsenic and Old Lace. I watched the 1944 movie version recently. What a treat to see the play for the first time, during a girls’ night out. 

Joplin Little Theater Presents Arsenic and Old Lace
Arsenic and Old Lace, by Joseph Kesselring, was written in 1939 and opened on January 10, 1941. The opening night review in The New York Times said the play was “so funny that none of us will ever forget it.” Indeed, it has not been forgotten. Arsenic and Old Lace became well known through the film adaptation starring Cary Grant, and continues to be a popular and endearing play, 78 years later. 

The Joplin production was directed by Gary Roney, who was assisted by co-director Tegan Whited. 

The play is a dark comedy, centered around the Brewster Family. Descended from an ancestor who arrived on the Mayflower, they are now a peculiar family of homicidal maniacs. The hero of the story is Mortimer Brewster (Sam Hydar), a drama critic, who learns more than he cares to know about his crazy family, after proposing to his girlfriend Elaine (Ashley Trotnic).

Mortimer’s sweet, charitable aunts, Martha (Carolyn McGowan) and Abby (Molly Burkhart) have a surprising, and dark, secret. Out of a sense of compassion, they help lonely older gentlemen by serving them homemade elderberry wine, laced with arsenic. They have assisted twelve gentlemen thus far. Their bodies are buried in the basement. 

Aiding the sisters is Mortimer’s brother Teddy (Daniel Pool), who believes he is the president of the United States,Theodore Roosevelt. He unwittingly provides graves in the basement for the deceased, thinking he is digging canals at Panama. 

Joplin Little Theater Presents Arsenic and Old Lace
Rounding out the eccentric Brewsters is the bad boy of the family, Jonathan (Drew Girouard), who returns home unexpectedly with his partner in crime, Dr. Einstein (Jeremy Wolfe). They bring with them a body of their own to conceal. 

Mortimer must deal with the revelations that are piling up, along with the bodies, and make crucial decisions about his odd family members and his own uncertain future. 

In spite of the grim topic, this was a fun play to watch. It is performed as a comedy, and it is one, delightfully so. The audience was appreciative of the fine performances, laughing boisterously and applauding at the end of each act. I think we all laugh because we are relieved that every family has its secrets and its eccentricities. 

The whole cast of characters, which included Brooklyn police officers, an insane asylum director, a minister, an older gentleman looking for a room and even a “dead” body, performed wonderfully together and genuinely seemed to have fun playing. 

Joplin Little Theater Presents Arsenic and Old Lace

I have to give special recognition to Sam Hydar, who was superb as Mortimer. He captured that over the top style of humor reminiscent of Cary Grant in the movie adaptation, with hilarious facial expressions and gestures. 

And Jeremy Wolfe gave an amazing performance as Dr. Einstein, the alcoholic surgeon who fell in with the villainous brother,  Jonathan. Wolfe impersonated the film’s counterpart, Peter Lorre, so well that it messed with my head! 

My sister Debbie and I intend to be the Brewster Sisters at the family Halloween party this year. We enjoyed the play and left with great ideas for costumes and props. After watching the performance tonight, Debbie was drawn to Abby’s personality and I’ll step into Martha’s role. We will have fun being those sweet ladies with their misguided but well intentioned ideas for easing the suffering of lonely old men. 

What a great evening we had, with quality sister time, an outstanding performance from Joplin Little Theater, and research for becoming the Brewster Sisters for Halloween. Elderberry wine, anyone? 

Joplin Little Theater Presents Arsenic and Old Lace

Wearing the Realtor Hat

It’s 11:29 pm and I am just starting my blog post, after a very full day. Sixty minutes ago, as I sat in my office, finishing up real estate related work, I didn’t know what I was going to write about. I had been away from home, and any possible creative projects, since 8:15 am. 

And yet, I have learned in my journey to stay open, receptive, unattached. I asked, What shall I write about? 

As I sent docs for electronic signatures and started on a comparative market analysis for another client, I glanced at Absolem the caterpillar, perched nearby. He asked me the important question, Who are you?

Wearing the Realtor Hat

I think about that question while I finish my work. 

Today I wore several hats. I was Yaya and Mom, spending a short time with one of my children and two of my grandchildren late this afternoon. I was Sister and Daughter and Cousin, having dinner with family tonight and enjoying the additional company of my out of town cousin Greg, and his wife Shellie. I was Friend and Writer and Artist. 

Primarily, I wore the Realtor hat today. Suddenly an idea popped into my head, making me laugh. I actually own a realtor hat, with a KW, for Keller Williams, embroidered on it. It was time for a little late night impromptu photo shoot and a very brief recap…love the pun…of a day in the life of a realtor. 

Wearing the Realtor Hat
Although it was a long one, this was one of those magical days in real estate that I love. I had a double sided closing, meaning I represented the buyers and the seller in a transaction. Sure, I got paid today.

However, I had the opportunity to be compassion, grasping an older client’s hand tightly and telling him that the home he held dear and had shared with his wife, will be well loved and cared for by its new owners. 

I had the joy of handing the key to the buyers who journeyed far in search of their new home, allowing me to help them find it. Can we be friends? the wife asks me as the closing is completed, not wanting the time we’ve spent together to be over. Yes, I answer sincerely, I would love that. 

Wearing the Realtor Hat

In between closings and emailing documents and comparative market analyses, I spent the day doing what realtors do…

…taking down signs and a lockbox, talking to other realtors, saying hello to a new agent, who…ha ha…turned out to be in my own Keller Williams office, getting feedback, scanning in documents, scanning in more documents, meeting with the realtor on the other side of an in process transaction to discuss an inspection, dropping off reports with clients, looking up info, texting clients, calling clients, responding to messages, offering reassurance, guidance, congratulations, empathy…

Wearing the Realtor Hat
It sounds like a lot of busy work…and it was. And it was so much more. I was walking my clients home today. From the first few hesitant steps of inquiry to ushering them across the threshold into a new home, it was all part of the journey.  

In keeping with my desire for this year, I was making life a little more tender, in many small and not so small ways. It all matters. It is all important to someone. It’s all part of life. And I got to walk alongside, while experiencing others coming alongside me. 

Who are you? asked Absolem. Today, living and offering fully out of who I am, I could answer…I am a Realtor. 

Wearing the Realtor Hat

An Evening of Coloring

My days have been really full lately. That’s not a complaint at all. I absolutely love my life and my journey. After a busy day I come home, eat a healthy dinner, sometimes do a creative project and write a blog post or two. I’ve looked at the coloring page next to my chair every night for a month, and then after checking the time, I’ve thought, I’ll color on that tomorrow. 

Today I realized I’m up against the clock now. That coloring page, printed from the This Old House website, needs to be finished tomorrow if I’m going to enter it in the contest. 

An Evening of Coloring
So guess what I did this evening?

I came home, rather late, ate a healthy dinner of leftovers…and I colored. I spent the whole evening coloring. Earlier today, I considered not completing the page for the contest. However, the more I thought about it, the more I wanted to make the attempt to get it submitted in time. 

And…I really do enjoy coloring. Laying color on to the page, building up color, creating shading and highlights, is not only fun for me, it is centering, meditative, creative. 

An Evening of Coloring
This is where I started this evening, barely further along than I was a month ago. I filled in sections, one area at a time, using the colors that I felt drawn to. One of the things I love about coloring is how the picture evolves as I work, and often in different ways than I imagined when I began with a blank page. This truly is a creative process and there are no mistakes. What the finished picture becomes is always perfect, as it is. 

That is an important life lesson for me as well. I color in my own life as I go, and I am often just as surprised by what comes together, delightfully so. 

An Evening of Coloring
This is how far I got tonight. I made good progress and I’m pleased with the results. And truthfully, I don’t yet know if I will finish in time. Because tomorrow is another very full day. I will do my best, and enjoy what I do, and live with the “I don’t know” and the outcome. 

Whether I get the coloring page submitted in time or not, I’ve enjoyed the creative process and the lessons learned. It’s all good!

An Evening of Coloring

Apricot Bars: Healthy 4 Ingredient Treat

I am enjoying trying out the healthy, plant based recipes in Anthony William’s book, Life Changing Foods. For each of the 50 life changing foods that Anthony writes about, he includes a wealth of information plus a mouth watering recipe. Tonight I sampled the Apricot Bars.

Apricot Bars: Healthy 4 Ingredient Treat
This simple recipe has only four ingredients and using a food processor made preparation quick and easy.

Apricot Bars

1 cup apricots, sulfur-free

1/2 cup dates, pitted

1/2 cup almonds

1/4 cup shredded unsweeted coconut

Combine ingredients in processor and process until well blended. Line cookie sheet eith parchment paper and press mixture into a large flat rectangle, approximately 1/2 inch thick. Chill in freezer for 30 minutes. Cut into bars and store in refrigerator for up to a week. Makes 4 servings.

Apricot Bars: Healthy 4 Ingredient Treat

Apricot Bars: Healthy 4 Ingredient Treat
This recipe was so simple to make, and took less than 5 minutes to prepare. I used organic, sulfur-free apricots. Dampening my hands with water made shaping the mixture easier as it didn’t stick to my fingers.

After chilling, the mixture cut readily into bars. I tried one immediately. Naturally sweet and chewy, these bars are the perfect treat. I’ve grabbed Lara bars in the past, treats made with a few wholesome ingredients and sold in grocery stored. These apricot bars are even better and I can make them myself.

Apricot Bars: Healthy 4 Ingredient Treat
Apricots are high in amino acids and minerals. They help cleanse the digestive tract and lower the risk for many types of cancer. In addition, this fruit stabilizes energy, boosts the growth of red blood cells, strengthens the heart and nourishes the brain. Those are powerful benefits in a small package. And sulfer-free dried apricots tend to hold all of their beneficial qualities.

I love having a healthy option if I feel like a treat,  And I like knowing I am contributing to my healing rather than than feeding disease with sugar laden desserts. I’m looking forward to sampling each of the recipes in the Life Changing Foods books. It is creative, and delicious, play with long term benefits that go way beyond having something good to eat.

I am inspired to create lasting health.

Apricot Bars: Healthy 4 Ingredient Treat
Check out Life Changing Foods for info about 50 amazing foods and delicious recipes for each one.

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Wherever the Road May Lead

Kids are so inspiring. I picked up three of my grandchildren from school today, Joey, Oliver and Aubrey, and after our customary stop for drinks and snacks, the kids suggested a game. We would drive away from the house, and at every intersection, the kids would take turns choosing a direction. We would continue with this “pick a direction” game until time to head home, and then find our way back. 

It sounded like an adventure to me! 

Wherever the Road May Lead
After dropping off backpacks at their home, we loaded back into the car. The kids asked if they could each take their pet along. Carl the dog and the cats, Mittens and Nakoma, all well behaved when riding in the car, joined us. And off we went. 

Wherever the Road May Lead
Wherever the Road May Lead
Wherever the Road May Lead

Joey selected our direction at the first intersection…left. Aubrey chose the next course change…right. And Oliver’s choice was straight ahead. At each crossroad, the kids took turns deciding which way to go, and I drove accordingly. 

I added a requirement to the adventure. I asked each child to watch for something interesting, unusual or beautiful that caught their attention, and requested that they take a photo with my iPhone. They were willing participants. 

Wherever the Road May Lead
We drove on country roads, venturing out into areas unknown. The sky was overcast but the countryside, awakening with bursts of colors and tender shades of green, gave us plenty to talk about and ohhhh and ahhhh over. We quite unexpectedly ended up at the rustic gates of Camp Cyokamo. I’ve heard of this remote campground, but I’d never seen it before. I snapped a pic. The gates were open, an invitation to explore, and we circled the camp. 

Wherever the Road May Lead
This large glass greenhouse, beautifully lit up, caught the attention of all of us. I pulled over so Aubrey could capture this gorgeous surprise, which sparked our imaginations and initiated animated conversations. 

Wherever the Road May Lead
On one of the roads we wandered down, we came upon a property with row after row of old, rusty tractors. We all exclaimed over the site of so many farm vehicles and speculated about the collectors. Were they farmers? How long had they been buying old tractors? Joey took great photos. 

Wherever the Road May Lead
By now I had no idea where we were. We drove down gravel county roads, turned on paved lanes with names like Nutmeg and Redbud, and crisscrossed over rivers, or the same river many times, on concrete bridges. The pets had all curled up and fallen asleep. 

Wherever the Road May Lead

Wherever the Road May Lead
When my daughter-in-law texted to say she was headed home from work, we knew it was time to find our way back. I allowed each child to choose one more direction. And Oliver photographed an American flag rippling in the breeze. His grin alerted me that he had shifted his focus, sneaking in a close up of Yaya at the wheel!

Wherever the Road May Lead
I am grateful that my phone has a GPS! I not only didn’t know where we were, I didn’t know how to find my way back. As I now drove following Siri’s directions, I was surprised to realize how far north and west we had gone. In a few minutes, however, we crossed a familiar highway and I got my bearings. We arrived home just ahead of Megan. 

What a fun game we played, and what adventurous and innovative grandchildren I have. What I enjoyed the most was that the kids were engaged and we had fun chatting and laughing. There were no electronics going in the car…no YouTube videos playing, no electronic games in use, no apps being downloaded. We talked. And wondered about things. And let random directions guide us to new sights. 

It was fun. It was the adventures of Yaya and Joey and Oliver and Aubrey…and Carl and Nakoma and Mittens. I look forward to playing this game again!

Wherever the Road May Lead

Italy 2017

Today’s musings and activities were inspired by a text from my daughter this morning:

Italy 2017
In less than two months, my daughter Elissa, grandson Dayan and I will be flying out of a NW Arkansas airport, with Rome, Italy as our destination. This trip has been in the dream stage for five years. Very soon now, it will become a reality. 

Italy 2017
This trip is for my grandson, who will graduate from high school AND turn 18 years old a few days before we fly out. When he was 13 he expressed a desire to travel, and chose Italy as the country he most wanted to see. This young man has always had a world mindset. He thinks big, and dreams even bigger. He loves geography and can name every country in the world and talk knowledgeably about them. Travel and world cultures are embedded in his DNA, I think. 

It has been my great pleasure to share this dream with him, dubbed Italy 2017, and gift him with this trip. I am delighted that my daughter,  Dayan’s mom, is going as well. She has dreamed and planned with us. We will be three generations, sharing a grand adventure, before Dayan leaves for college this fall. 

Italy 2017Dayan and I made Italy dream boards in 2012. Never underestimate the power of casting a vision. 

Italy 2017                  Dayan’s new passport photo. 

Elissa’s text this morning, and her question about luggage, inspired me to look over our travel itinerary, read through saved Pinterest pins, and look up info about our upcoming trip. I have been saving posts and ideas for five years. How exciting to be moving into the implementation stage. 

Italy 2017

Italy 2017
On Pinterest I read about packing a carry on like a pro. When I traveled to Scotland in 2014, I hauled around a huge suitcase filled with too many clothes. I seriously could have packed one of my grandchildren in that monstrous piece of luggage and still had room for clothes! I won’t make that mistake again. I have a carry on that I intend to use, along with an oversized bag that will double as a purse. 

Italy 2017
I learned that tightly rolling clothing takes up far less room than folding them. I will be practicing this technique. Another idea was to pack the rolled clothes in mesh bags, that keep like items together. The bags then go into the suitcase. 

Thinking of packing led me to wonder what the weather will be like in Italy, late May and early June. That is important, as the weather determines what clothes to take. My research revealed that temps are moderate in late spring, ranging from lows in the 50s to highs in the upper 70s. Some long sleeved shirts and a light jacket seem like wise items to include. 

Italy 2017
Italy 2017
I read helpful info about doing well on long flights, such as drinking water every hour while in the air and getting enough light if you are flying west, using ear plugs and a sleep mask to get some rest, and only taking a short nap during the day, after arrival. We want to acclimate quickly so we don’t miss a moment of fun. 

Italy 2017
Finally, I spent time reading again through our itinerary. We have eleven days, once we arrive, to explore this beautiful country. We are traveling with a tour group, arranged by the amazing Ken Mayer, with GalaxSea Cruises & Tours in Neosho. I am immensely grateful for his help and his suggestions. 

Our journey will begin in Rome and continue through Cinque Terre, Pisa, Siena, Florence, Verona, Venice, Ravenna, Assisi and Orvieto before returning again to Rome. We will have many opportunities to visit historical sites, meander through museums and shops, and sample local cuisines. 

Italy 2017
The one saved Pinterest pin that I did not read today was 45 Reasons Why You Must Visit Italy. I only need one reason…because my grandson wants to visit Italy. This is Dayan’s trip. His mother and I are his happy traveling companions, sharing in his joy. 

Italy 2017…it is here. The dream is becoming reality. What memories we will bring home. 

Italy 2017

Jasper’s Juicery

I was excited today to try out a new café that opened recently in downtown Joplin. Located at 122 S Main Street, Jasper’s Juicery features freshly prepared juices and smoothies and an assortment of delicious meals. I stopped in to sample a juice. 

Jasper's Juicery
The cute café has a long counter for ordering and pulling up a stool. And there are tables and chairs in the front section of the restaurant with more seating available in a back room. I browsed the menu while a customer ahead of me placed her order. 

Jasper's Juicery
Jasper's Juicery
I knew I wanted fresh juice, however looking over the menu I was impressed that Jasper’s Juicery uses locally provided ingredients, as much as possible, and that the smoothies are created with almond and coconut milk. I decided on the Turn the Beet Around juice blend, with beets, carrots, celery and apples. 

Jasper's Juicery
I watched as my juice was prepared. The staff was friendly and helpful. The young woman taking my order expressed excitement about my selection, telling me it was her favorite juice. In moments my drink was ready. 

Jasper's Juicery
I took a sip while still in the café and gave a thumbs up to the staff. The juice was delicious, with a slightly sweet taste, due to the apple. I like beets, so the flavor was mild to me. I took my drink with me to my mom’s, where family members were gathered before a birthday celebration. Everyone bravely tried a sip. Beets are not everyone’s favorite vegetable, to eat or drink, however the consensus was that this was very good! 

I love that Joplin has restaurants and grocery stores that offer healthy meal choices. I’m looking forward to trying other juices, and all of the smoothies, at Jasper’s Juicery. Five stars for this great little health conscious café. 

Jasper's Juicery

Movie Review: Manchester by the Sea

Late this afternoon, as thunder rumbled and rain pelted the windows, I had the pleasure of watching movie number three on my list of Best Picture nominated films. I was especially interested in this movie because Manchester by the Sea was the first film distributed by a streaming service…in this case Amazon…to ever be nominated in the best picture category. 

Movie Review: Manchester by the Sea
Manchester by the Sea stars Casey Affleck, Michelle Williams, Kyle Chandler and Lucas Hedges. Written and directed by Kenneth Lonergan, this drama is rated R for strong language and sexuality and has a run time of 2 hours and 16 minutes. Manchester by the Sea was nominated for six Oscars, including Best Picture, Best Director, Best Actor for Affleck, Best Supporting Actor for Hedges and Best Supporting Actress for Williams. It won twice, with Casey earning Best Actor, and with an Oscar for Best Screenplay. 

Lee Chandler (Affleck) returns home to Manchester after receiving word that his brother Joe (Chandler) has died. Long estranged from his family and the community he grew up in, Lee intends to settle his brother’s affairs and be back in Boston in a week. 

Plans unravel when he learns that Joe made Lee sole guardian of his teenage son, Patrick (Hedges). At a loss about how to reconnect with his nephew, Lee struggles with this overwhelming responsibility. As he attempts to help Patrick through his loss, Lee finds being in Manchester brings him face to face with painful reminders of his past, including his ex-wife Randi (Williams). 

Movie Review: Manchester by the Sea

Movie Review: Manchester by the Sea

Can Lee find healing near the sea as he fights his personal demons, or will he continue to flee? 

Manchester by the Sea is a frank and gritty look at life when the journey is impacted by horrific tragedy. Casey Affleck offers one of the most moving and honest portrayals of a broken man that I have ever seen in a film, and deserved his Oscar. I lost count of the number of times my eyes filled with tears. 

Although it has been described as a depressing movie, I have to disagree. Manchester by the Sea certainly delivers an emotional punch, yet it feels so authentic, so realistic, that it creates an empathetic ache around the heart. 

Movie Review: Manchester by the Sea
This film is a glimpse into a life suspended by pain and given over to resignation. Lee embodies a journey interrupted and the choice to withdraw from the flow of life and instead watch it pass him by. He gets by, far from being able to offer anything to anyone, simply waiting for his existence to be over. 

And yet.. and yet…life continually offers the chance to re-engage, to heal, to truly live again. And so it is with Lee. His heart has been so barricaded against feeling anything. The one person who might be able to chip away at the wall is his nephew, who in dealing with his loss, just wants everything to stay normal and remain the same. 

Movie Review: Manchester by the Sea
Manchester by the Sea refuses to allow a love interest or a friend to rescue Lee, and I appreciated that. This is very much a man’s solitary journey and ultimately, the only person who can save Lee, is Lee. 

Don’t expect a traditional transformation or neatly framed happy ending. Instead, treasure the small shifts, the stirrings, the bits of thawing around a heart frozen by grief and guilt. Manchester by the Sea doesn’t so much warm the soul as it shines a light into the dark regions of it and offers hope. 

This Best Picture nominated film is worth a thoughtful viewing. Well done, Amazon. I am grateful for the amazing vision of this company, and I look forward to seeing what they offer next. 

Movie Review: Manchester by the Sea

Pick up your DVD of Manchester by the Sea here, or rent it on Amazon:

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Soaking Up the Sunshine

This time of year, I have to grab time in the sunshine when I can. With two days of chilly, overcast weather behind me and the threat of thunderstorms ahead through the weekend, today’s warm temps and abundant sunshine was a special gift. 

Soaking Up the Sunshine

Most of my spring vignettes are completed indoors. I still have a vintage suitcase and a small tabletop awaiting my creative touch. 

Soaking Up the Sunshine
The dining room table features vintage Easter pieces handpainted by Greg’s mom and rustic country accents. 

Soaking Up the Sunshine
Even small spaces, like this little antique chair seat, gets a vignette. 

I wanted to enjoy this day of sunshine, sandwiched between days of rain. The front porch transformation was completed. 

Soaking Up the Sunshine
Soaking Up the Sunshine
As I finished the reset, I decided to heed the advice printed on my colorful front porch sign: RELAX. Relaxing in the mild sunshine, in my newly awakening backyard garden, with a cup of hot tea, sounded like bliss to me. 

Soaking Up the Sunshine
Fresh thyme is already available in my herb garden. I picked a sprig of this aromatic herb and steeped a cup, creating a fragrant, healthy tea. Thyme is a powerful antiviral herb, destroying a host of illness causing viruses, including flu. It is so easy to grow in the garden and returns year after year. 

Soaking Up the Sunshine

I use a mesh strainer in a porcelain mug to brew fresh herbs. See link below to order one for yourself. Steep thyme, covered, in hot water for 15-20 minutes. Sweeten with raw local honey if desired. I drink mine plain. 

Soaking Up the Sunshine
This was the bright spot in my day, literally…sitting in the sunshine in my backyard, a cup of thyme tea and book two in the Harry Potter series nearby. My cat Rilynn checked out my tea and settled at my feet. 

Soaking Up the Sunshine
Soaking Up the Sunshine
Peace and contentment surrounded me as surely as the sunshine did, warming my heart and soul. I saw my first butterfly of the season this afternoon and birds called to me as they soared overhead. I deeply appreciate the restorative properties of nature and no where more so than here, in my own backyard garden. 

There is a saying, from an author unknown, “Sometimes inspiration comes from a single ray of sunshine.” I understood that today. Soaking up the sunshine, I felt inspired in many ways. Ideas seemed to flow within those bright beams of light, and open to receive them, they took root in my fertile imagination. 

Those last two vignettes came together in my mind, inspired by a perfect spring day, carried to me on beams of sunlight. 

Soaking Up the Sunshine
Order your own brewing mug here:

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You Don’t Know My Story

I wasn’t sure what I was going to write about tonight. Oh, a topic popped up repeatedly throughout the day, however I didn’t feel ready to unpack my thoughts about it. Coming home late, after a full day, I wanted to take the easy path this evening, posting a couple of pictures with few words. 

As I contemplated creating that brief post…and titling it Every Picture Tells a Story…I realize the very word I was shying away from was there. 

Story. 

That word has been coming into my awareness frequently. It caught my attention and snagged my heart earlier today when I saw this quote: 

“You know my name. Not my story.” 

As I sat undecided tonight, wavering between writing the post I knew I was supposed to write…and taking the easy out…a character on a TV show that I wasn’t even paying attention to said: “Story…” The invitation couldn’t be any clearer. 

You Don't Know My Story
Consider this post an introduction to what may turn into a series of essays about story throughout the year. 

What if…instead of creating stories about the people we know, the people we don’t yet know, the person we’ve just met, the stranger standing in line next to us at the supermarket, we stayed open and curious and allowed them to tell us their stories?

What if…we refused to accept as truth the stories that we make up about people, and stopped judging them based on our own inaccurate characterizations?

What if…we asked to hear their stories and we listened without our own opinions clouding our perceptions? 

You know my name. You don’t know my story. 

You see my skin color, my gender, my age, my size. You don’t know my story. 

You see the clothes I wear, the house I live in, the car I drive. You don’t know my story. 

You see my actions, my frustrations, my struggles, my triumphs, my successes. You don’t know my story. 

You experience my rage, fear, shyness, anxiety, silence, crudeness, sorrow, emotion, lack of emotion. You don’t know my story. 

You hear my accent, my child crying, my nervous laughter. You don’t know my story. 

I have a strong desire to go beyond the reactions I may have to people, and learn who they are, through their stories. I want to listen with my heart, get beneath the surface clatter, see with empathy, offer understanding. 

And if their stories can’t be shared yet, for whatever reason, I desire to feel compassion.  I choose to live with an I-don’t-know-their-stories awareness, rather than create stories about who they are based on my own thoughts about them. I want to get comfortable with “I don’t know”, and accept that I don’t. 

I’m not sure where this journey is going. I don’t need to know. I only know that I am being drawn, guided, inspired. I’m being invited to love unconditionally and experience deeper compassion. 

This is part of my story, and it is still unfolding. In sharing my story, you may feel inspired to tell your story as well. Go ahead. I am listening. 

You Don't Know My Story