All posts tagged Lesson Learned
Mercy, mercy
This past Tuesday, I went with a few friends to see Matt Nathanson perform at the Pageant. One of the best concert I’ve been to. For shiz. This has a little to do with the fact that Matt Nathanson is a crowd-pleasing, booty-shaking, talented hot tottie. Yep… partially because of this. But it’s moreso because my friends and I were right up front by the stage.
Usually I get to concerts casually late and stand toward the back or balcony areas. I’m a chill observer– happy to be there, but not fully jumping-in-the-party engaged. (Or whatever.) And I think, “I’m glad we’re not crowded in the front,” or, “It’s nice that we came late and can leave a little early to beat the crowd.”
But I learned during this concert that getting there before anyone’s playing and being bumped around by crazy weirdo fans and not being able to leave at any point for the bathroom or a drink and staying the whole time is completely fantastic. All of these little inconveniences weren’t inconveniences at all in the moment. I was too enthralled to be bothered, and being up front brought me to a higher level of energy. I was upclose and personal with the artist, and I could feel his passion. In a way, I felt honored to witness his gift so closely.
So, I guess what I’m saying is that I’ve officially converted from a mature fan to an excitable, screaming groupie-esque fan. And strangely, I’m cool with this…
Where’s Waldo? Find my face… go!
Reppin’ Florence + The Machine
Strategy
Dear Jenn,
You will pack your lunch this week. You will pack your lunch this week. You will pack your lunch this week. AND you will not forget it when you run out the door.
Love,
Waistline & Wallet
Um…
Today, I noticed an interesting progression in my IDs.
College
Once upon a time, I was an innocent, sweet student full of ideas.
Graduate School
Then, after realizing I’d been in school for 18 years straight, I became a bit jaded.
Full-time Work
And then, I entered the real world and evidently became the devil.
Awesome.
Being barefoot
Well, I was going to write a girly post glorifying shoes. Yes, really. Describing my favorites and how they affect my mood. Poking fun at my obsession.
I thought snapping a photo of all of my shoes together would make me feel like a fashion diva. Instead, it made me feel a little disgusted.
It made me realize that, despite however kind and thankful I might think I am, materialism has penetrated a part of my identity. And if I don’t keep it in check, it’s easy to lose perspective.
I recently met this wonderful person who is helping out in Joplin this week and immediately after flying to Mozambique to help build a kitchen. Wow. Knowing of his journeys has made me step back and analyze myself a bit. It’s made me realize that while tornadoes were passing through the Heartland, I was freaking out that my new car might get hail damage. It’s made me realize that while people don’t have adequate shelter, I’ve been moping a little about giving up a “super cute” apartment in Clayton to house sit for someone.
It’s made me realize that I am so over myself.
I know what I’ve “discovered” is an incredibly simple concept pretty much everyone learns in grade school: Don’t be selfish. But I still think that sometimes we need to write down concepts like this (however basic they may be), sit with them and then share them with others to truly solidify the meaning in our heads.
I also realized recently that, when my flip-flop broke in the middle of the woods during a game of frisbee golf, everything was fine. When faced with a problem and considering the worst possible outcome– walking back to the car barefoot– it was not the end of the world. Sometimes being without and facing a challenge can wake us up and make us live a little deeper.
Sometimes, we need to be barefoot.
