Not my cup of tea.

Have you ever tried to do something that you knew wasn’t really for you but you went ahead and tried anyway??

I am always trying to teach my kids to be open to new things. Try a new activity or a new food, something you haven’t done before. “Who knows, you might like it.” So with that in mind, I try to step out of my box (I really like my box) and do things that I might not be comfortable with or things that are different for me. I want to expand my horizons, meet new people, try new things and see what the world has to offer. It’s part of the journey, right???

I don’t think I’m a prima-Donna. I’m not really THAT prissy. I like to get dirty. I love to dig in the ground and plant my flowers. I am always looking for something to paint and often spend days trying to remove some spot of paint from my skin or hair. But when I socialize, I like to be comfortable. I really don’t function when I’m cold. Like; coat on, shivering, my toes are numb cold, is not going to work for me. Standing around in a dirty garage, tolerable in short bursts. All evening??? Nope. No plate, no napkins and I’m probably not going to be interested in food. (That says something because I love food.) I find cigar smoke very offensive. I will be distracted by the smell and my burning eyes and find it hard to converse.

I knew going into the gathering that I might not have fun. I tried really hard not to express myself too much (smile) and I held back from running home as early as I wanted. But I think they all noticed.

How will I integrate with a new group if this is how I started???
I want to be part of the group but some things stress me out more than they should.

Camping….

We’re going camping soon. Not just my micro family but with a group. A group of old friends and new friends.

I’ve never been camping.

I get close sometimes. By close, I mean in the morning after hubby has “camped” in the back yard with the kids I bring coffee down and sit for a few minutes.

I’m not only worried about the camping trip but fitting in with the others who are going. After running away from the smoke filled garage party, I want to be sure I’m not the one whining and complaining about the conditions. I want it to be a good memory for the kids and for all of us. Hubby is so excited for the new tent and has been tracking its delivery minute by minute.

I don’t want to be the topic of conversations. (“Remember that girl who didn’t let her kids get dirty?” “Wow she was so uptight about everything”) I don’t want to be that girl. I want to have fun and make memories for my kids. I’m just not sure camping is my cup of tea.

I keep thinking about the skiing trip and how much I liked sitting by the fire, drinking Irish coffee. That was all I liked about skiing. It’s not my cup of tea either.

A matter of perception

How do you see things?
You most likely have heard the saying…
One man’s junk is another man’s treasure.
Or the question…
Is your glass half full or half empty?
(Or you could be like one of my friends who will reply, “overflowing”.)
I love that. I try to learn from my friends. I have really good people in my life and I think very highly of all of them (or they wouldn’t be in my life) I try to learn from them whenever I can.

You know how when a few women get together and start talking. It can easily lead into speculation about other people and what may or may not be going on in their life. Well, I have another really smart friend that will simply say, “You never know what is going on in someone’s life”. True. Are you peaking in their window? Do you read their mind? How can you really know what is going on?

I heard Oprah the other day say… “People think that pretty people don’t have problems”.
Do you read a book by its cover?

I tend to have a sarcastic sense of humor. But when I say things they don’t always get received in the way they were intended. In the past, I’ve tried to give up sarcasm for lent. It never goes well. I can give up Doritos or even wine (Ok, so that one is only when I’m pregnant but it counts) but I just can’t get the sarcasm out of me.

I do wonder sometime (after the fact and way too late to do anything about it) how people see me. I think maybe that’s why I try to play devil’s advocate when I can. (When I remember to) Attempt to give the benefit of doubt.

There is a part in the movie “Dead Poet Society” where Robin William’s character asks his students to stand up on the desk. He points out to them that sometimes you have to step out of the box or look at things differently to get a clear picture. See it in a different light. I’m reminded of this from time to time when I watch my 22 month old. Last week he couldn’t see what his sister was doing. So he climbed up on the table. I found him in the middle of the table on his knees and elbows with his nose about 2 inches from his sister’s craft project. He just wanted to get a better view.

Should I have yelled? Should I watch him every single second of the day and be two feet away at all times just in case??? Ten people will see it ten different ways. I just scooped him up, kissed his cheek and set him on the floor. Do I always handle things this way… sadly NO. All too often I react then I think.

Those who interpret body language will tell you that crossed arms is a sign of someone who is unapproachable, closed, someone who may be angry. I know when my arms are crossed, I’m cold or maybe I feel self-conscious. By no means am I trying to tell people to stay away from me. Go ahead, talk to me, I won’t bite.

Do you have an open mind? Do you give the benefit of doubt? How do you see the world around you? How do you express yourself? What do you want others to see?

Enjoy the day and look at things a little different. What do you see??????