Monthly Archives: November 2010

Belonging: So, the “cheers” bar in Boston is really big. A lot bigger than the one on TV.

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I’m in a group of women who are on this semi-secret mission to support a mutual friend as she completes a major life task. She invited us to walk beside her, and we’ve become a sort of sorority with secret bracelets and books. (Don’t ask questions. That’s all you’re gonna get outta me. I’ve been keeping this secret for 6 months.)

I’ve also been jamming with a bunch of my favorite girlfriends who have decided to be a bit of a girl-band. It’s like… it’s like pure security. It’s like I can walk into the room and know that I have a place at the “table.” It’s the complete opposite of my High School lunch periods, but that had more to do with me and my issues than any of them. (And I mean that, y’all. I know some of you read this.)

I felt that very same belonging feeling with my group of friends at seminary. We all rallied around one another for foot soakings and bible studies and birthday parties. I miss them…

I want to be a person who can share that sense of belonging with others. To create a “community” around my life. Especially since not everyone has that feeling. But, I know that the more people I invite in, the bigger the group gets. And, soon little groups split off from one big Cheers bar where everyone hangs out, to a two story bar/restaurant with lots of rooms and tables and mini-conversations happening all at once. And not everybody knows everybody’s name. Gah. That’s when my introversion kicks into high gear and I just wanna hole up in a corner of the room with two or three other people and have our own little thing going.

But, instead, I’m going to float between tables–spend deliberate time with deliberate groups in deliberate conversations.

*Here’s to making time. Cheers.*

How do you find that sense of belonging in life?

White Space

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I have a friend who is very active and very influential and very well-known in our community. And she recently brought me a word of advice on making space in life. She was encouraged by a speaker at a conference who talked about white space–a chunk of time in your week that is set aside for yourself and your goals and your emotions and your refreshing and so forth…

And I’ve seen my friend put this practice of white space into her life. And it’s brought with it many beautiful things…

I’m sure you can guess where this is heading: There are some things I need to make space for. I need time to accomplish some important tasks. And I need silence to hear some very important Voices. And I need energy to process and say some very important things.

I need space. To think. To write. To listen. To talk.

So, this is it. Tomorrow will mark the start of two-a-weeks: Tuesdays and Thursdays (Ok. And maybe the occasional Saturday if I just can’t stand it. Dang, this is going to take major discipline to accomplish). That’s what we’ll get around here… Because, even though I value the community built here, it’s time to pull back and create some space. This blog has always reflected what’s churning in my heart, and this change is no exception. As I change, the blog changes. It’s how I stay “real” in this typed-up world.  I wouldn’t want you to expect anything less from me.

And, since this typing world has been so beautifully influential in my life over the past few years, I’d love to get some feedback from you. What do you do to create space in your life? And how do you use that space?

Next time.

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I’ve been doing a lot of thinking about things, which is probably no surprise to most of you who have been around here for any length of time. ;)

Anyway, I’m planning some changes for my little typed-up world here. Actually, I’m planning some changes for my real-life world, which will be reflected in my typed-up world. So, next time y’all see me, you’ll find out what in the heck is coming.

Until then, have a fantastic Thanksgiving (stateside) and enjoy the rest of the week.

See y’all Monday.

Texting with Strangers: A choose-your-own-adventure post

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This actually showed up on my phone last week:

“hey lisa i took the pictures of me you wanted they are super naughty lol! let me know when you are ready and i will send em 2 u! :) “

You have options:

  1. throw up in your mouth a little, then try to forget about it.
  2. laugh, show it to everyone around you, then do nothing.
  3. laugh, show it to everyone around you, and graciously inform the naughty mystery texter that you are not Lisa.
  4. pretend to be Lisa just to see if any pictures come through via text. (note: this was a co-worker’s idea, and yes I work at a church.)
  5. other: ________________________________________

So, which would you choose?