Welcome to my World! I love to absorb my surroundings and people watch. I am fascinated by and embrace all walks of individuals. We all vary in our idiosyncratic ways yet are ultimately the same, striving to forge our way through this journey we call life, in the hopes that we might each self-actualize along the way.
Allow me to introduce myself. I am a writer, competitive long-distance runner, mother of four. I love challenging myself in all endeavors I engage in. I write novels. I run 100-120 miles per month and participate in races, half-marathons, full marathons and obstacle courses across the United States. have four children: a 25-year-old son, a 23-year-old daughter, a 21-year-old daughter and a 16-year-old son who is in high school.
I love to explore my surroundings and can often be found venturing out on lengthy treks of up to twenty-nine miles to traverse: mountains, streams, waterfalls, deserts, canyons, beaches and anywhere else that I can connect with nature to feel her pulse and be fed by her wisdom. Even the streets of the metropolis cities hold wonder for me, with their unique flow and energy.
I hope that you enjoy browsing through my web site for a glimpse into my world of never-ending adventures, perils and awakenings.
Cindy
Since it’s the holidays and all, I’m in an extra giving mood.So I thought I’d share something.
A few months back, a writer friend of mine sent me this photo.We’re both avid animal lovers, and every time I view it, I smile.I’ve shown the picture to many since I received it, today being one of those times.And just like the other occasions when I’ve shared the photo, additional folks gathered round, anxious to see what all the ooohs and aaahs were about.
For those of you not familiar with what kind of animal this charming critter is, allow me to assist.He’s a baby porcupine.
Don’t you just love it when you’re conversing with someone via written form and your intended meaning gets all jumbled up?For example, when individuals are flinging jokes or sarcasm back and forth, and instead of all parties laughing, one or more take the meaning literally, getting upset in the process.
In today’s modern world of text messages, IMing, emails, etc. we run the risk of having what we intended interpreted as something completely different.Not that this isn’t a problem when we verbalize our thoughts face-to-face.But it seems miscommunication is more prevalent in written form, especially with how folks jot quick messages to one another.
So, how do we avoid such misunderstandings?One way is to add little comments such as LOL, just kidding, laughing, etc in parenthesis if what we’ve written was meant to be a joke or sarcastic.But there are times when this is taken to be even more sarcastic—a further slam to the recipients of our writing.
And what if the one who has misinterpreted our written message doesn’t say anything, instead opting to fume in silence?If we’re not informed that we’ve offended another, can we be held responsible?Or is it up to the one with hurt feelings to let us know so we can attempt to clarify to make amends?
Communication has always been a tricky beast, capable of having one or all involved misconstrue what was intended.So does this mean we give up trying to infuse our writing with jokes or lighten it up through sarcasm?In my opinion, no.It means that we have to be extra mindful of how others are affected by what we’ve written.
Words are powerful, capable of evoking a smorgasbord of reactions, many of which are emotional based.When those words are written, leaving behind a permanent imprint that can be digested over and over again by the recipient to the point that they no longer hold the meaning as when they were written, feelings can get hurt.But if, as the writer, we are in tuned to the reactions caused by our words, then we stand a better chance of diffusing misunderstandings before they blossom into atomic mushroom clouds.Likewise, if we are the hurt recipients, then I believe we have the responsibility to speak up to give the other person a chance to clarify.
Communication….With all of the advances we’ve made, why hasn’t this gotten easier?
I wrote yesterday of stepping outside my comfort zone and how that allows me to grow and expand my present knowledge.But what of feeling “constricted?”Can that, too, bring about growth and greater knowledge?I think it can.
For those who regularly test ourselves in order that we might gain higher insight and thus evolve, it’s important for us to remain “constricted” by at least some elements of familiarity.I believe this helps to ground us, without which, we’d bounce all over the place with no real intent or direction.
Familiarity, that which we’ve grown exceedingly accustomed, can seem stifling.However, if we use that which we are most acquainted as our center of operations, we can then demonstrate the where for all to branch out, confident that something grounds us to ourselves—those experiences, relationships, etc. that have helped forge us into whom we are.I like to think of constraint as a snug blanket I wrap around myself, which offers an unparalleled comfort level capable of urging me on to cast off that cloak of comfort long enough to see what awaits me.
I find that by stepping outside my comfort zone, I’m able to expand my horizons and grow as an individual.Sometimes, I’m required the endure growing pains as I stretch outside that which I’m accustomed.But more often, I find that if I maintain an open mind and a willing spirit, much of my growth and gained knowledge is relatively pain-free.That’s not to say that there aren’t moments when I wiggle and squirm from going through things that I normally wouldn’t. I believe this is a natural part of how we become more.Does that mean I’m apt to shy away from new things?No.Does knowing there will be times when further personal growth will be painful cause me to resist?No.Why?Because I am a person driven to further myself. Become all that I can.Evolve into a more enlightened being.
