Through the Looking Glass

Day 1 - I am grateful to still have my parents. There was a time when someone tried to isolate me from them. In my time of need, they were there for me, they were my safe haven when I ran to them. They've been one of the biggest rocks ever since my divorce.

Day 2 - One of the things I've learned from my past experience is that I matter. My opinion, feelings, desires - they all count. If they don't, then, that's not a place I need to be.

Day 3 - One thing I do for myself is take time in the evening to be alone. That's my reading time. (I'm in between books right now. Before I start a new one, I've popped in here.)

Day 4 - One of my biggest fears in a relationship is being hurt by a terrible ending. Over the last few years, I've gotten good at building walls and keeping people at arm's length. I've made wonderful friends, don't get me wrong, but they can't hurt me too much. But, someone found his way in, and I'm not afraid. I know that no matter what the future holds, I will always have these sweet memories. That helps in allowing my walls to stay down and not to be fearful.
 
What was I thinking with this prompt…time to dig deep.
When I was in HS I belonged to a peer counseling group. The training was intensive and we spent many hours first getting to know the other students in the program. One day, we were all sitting in a circle and sharing or asking questions of each other. I said I wished I was closer with a fellow student in the group (we had become a very close group of people) but got the feeling that he was not interested and I was unsure why. He responded saying I had nothing of value to offer him and he did not want to get to know me better. I had never been openly rejected. I had never had an offer of friendship be turned down.

What I learned is that some people are assholes. 🤣

No seriously, I learned that there are some people that you just don’t gel with and it is ok. I still try to meet people where they are and I want folks to like me but I accept that some folks won’t and I don’t need to try to convince anyone that I am a worthy person.
 
I'm very lucky to have family and friends who can make me laugh and see the funny side of most situations.
Both my wife and 2 boys have dry and sarcastic senses of humour, you most certainly wouldn't be allowed to take yourself or life too seriously.
 
Day 5: The often brutal honesty of children, just as often delivered in that self assurance that only a child can have. I have never known a moment when a child won't deliver some completely innocent words of truth that don't make me laugh in some form or another, even when such words are at my own expense.



All the better when it's my nieces and nephews, who will take no prisoners and who will, routinely, throw the words of adults back at them.
 
Day 5: This one is easy! You've probably seen me say this before, but @Shenanigans90 has been an amazing friend for over two years. When we first started talking (why would he be making chili in AUGUST!?) I had just found out that I had been sick for the last 10 months because of kidney stones. Then, the fun began! He's a nut and I really needed his wisdom, prayers, and most of all, silliness to get me through. He's still a nut. 😁
 
Day 4 - I had a feeling about a lady that works at the local grocery store. I uncharacteristically went out of my way to get to know her, and try to be her friend. I was never trying to pick up on her or anything, just be a friend.

It was really weird... I knew when she needed something, time and time again, I would suddenly feel I needed to go by the store, and would get there when she was needing a ride (always at different times).

It sounds creepy or something as I write it, but this is my perspective - I was just trying to be a friend. And she was always sort of polite, and had no problem asking me to help her out with something, and never offering anything back.

Finally, after a few years of this (not consistent, at all... just every few weeks or so I'd see her), she said something that could only be taken as either really incredibly vacuous, or incredibly mean spirited. I think she was being mean, on purpose. I kind of blew up about it and have made sure to never see her again.

But what did it teach me? One, that I could befriend a total stranger and get to know them and could easily survive if they turn out to be a piece of shit for an excuse for a human. I am fine, and her mean spirited statements did not, and do not define or change me in any way.

Day 5 - This one is far easier... I am so grateful and blessed to now return to lighthearted, enjoyment of things around me that I had years ago. Life, kind of stomped those feelings out of me, and drove me darker and darker.... but I'm through with all that. I can laugh at whatever stupid thing I just did, or at what my kitties do, or what my dog does when she thinks I'm not watching. There are so many things to enjoy and laugh at... I don't want to be brought down any more by the other.
 
I like Dad jokes. They may not be everyone's thing but they absolutely make me laugh, even when - and maybe especially when - no one else is laughing out loud about them. But the puns and the groans and the wit and cleverness (oh yes they are), always make them fun.
 
Day 5: my kid, they bring me such joy that I never imagined I could have. The giggles, the snuggles, the hilarity all make life so much sweeter, and better.

Day 6: the Duck tales theme song, makes me remember my childhood for all the good things that were there, and sometimes forget the not so great.
 
Days 1, 2 and 3.
I decided to post all three in one post. Answer any or all of these prompts and I’ll post one per day moving forward.

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1. I am grateful for just one more day of living. No, I'm not dying or anything. I am exceptionally healthy. There's so much to see and do, to experience.

2. A past relationship. I learned that I was weak, made terrible mistakes, and that I learned from them and perhaps I am a better man for all that.

3. Pedicure. I give myself a pedicure about every month or two. It's nice having good looking feet.
 
Day 6: I lack the internet strength to go finding the song itself, so it shall have to remain as text alone, but that said:

Feeling Good, specifically the Nina Simone version, though I've heard others that are pretty good as well.
 
Aha. Take on me.

The original version is fun and pop and makes me smile and sing along and has for forty years or so.

But there is also an unplugged version which is emotional and powerful and brilliant. I'm still floored the same song can do that.

I don't know how to link videos - sorry, but if anyone else wants to and blame me for it, I thank you in advance.
 
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