I saw this quote on Twitter today and I thought, “Wow, I do love Nicole Lyons because she just so eloquently expressed the hopes of most of us writers.” When I think of who I would love to have met in person from the past, Mark Twain always comes to mind and even Oscar Wilde. I so admire clever writers. When I am watching a movie or reading a book or even noticing a fun quote from Twitter, and I see a line that just says exactly how I feel in the most relevant, interesting, “damn, you just captivated that enormous feeling and sensation in one simple, profound sentence”, I am in perfect awe.
I wonder if we would be disappointed by our favorite authors, though. Comedians are often the most depressed people among us. (probably because they are so good at pinpointing all of the absurdities of life that the rest of us so blissfully ignore) They aren’t always “on” and I think that comedians often resent their own humorous talents for the expectations that these innate gifts create. I believe that most of us who love to write are introverts. I, myself, am an extremely friendly introvert. People don’t believe that I am an introvert because I’m friendly and “perky”. But I am a friendly, perky person who likes to spend a lot of her time with her friendly, perky self. I express myself much better when I write. My mind is always on overdrive so that when I speak, I think that what I say, often comes out kind of confusing and jumbled and ditzy and regrettably, many times, too direct. But when I write, I understand myself distinctly. When I write, I discover my most authentic, vulnerable self. So, it is true, as Nicole Lyons states, that when I write, I share my barest soul with you, my beloved readers. Thank you for treating it so kindly and respectfully.
Are you passing on love or are you passing on pain? Heal your pain and pass on love.
Kelly,
Oh my gosh, today’s post spoke directly to me and my soul!
I have been going through some papers lately and I have found drafts of letters that I have written to people over the years….a poem I wrote my beloved grandmother, the one middle school teacher that made an enormous impact on my son, my mother-in-law before she passed away, my sister-in-law before she passed away, a very special priest that I was friends with, etc. Those letters which I had written pouring out my heart to people I have loved and appreciated. I keep them in a box, with all the other poems I have written over the years, and I think…I hope someday my sons open this box and feel my presence again in their lives. So your post today was perfectly perfect!
And I can definitely relate to saying something to someone and feeling too direct or weird. Example: Joan, you should tell the grocery clerk how beautiful she is, Joan, that will sound so weird, Joan, go ahead, maybe she needs a boost today…and by the time I have had that internal dialogue, I now have made myself feel weird about saying what I was thinking and it comes off awkward.
Ohhh, this post really spoke to me.
Thank you for sharing!
PS. I would have loved to have met Mark Twain, he wrote one of the most notable books about St. Joan of Arc.
Awwww, this makes me so happy, Joan!!! <3
One hundred percent agreed!
I am far more eloquent on the page than IRL. I too put on an excellent extrovert show. No one would actually believe that I am an introvert because I’ve perfected the art of chatting.
Just recently I was rereading my personal numerology profile which I haven’t looked at in years. Every time I read it; I pick up something that I missed previously. This time I picked up the phrase “you prefer your own company over social situations”. And I realized that for the first time in my life I live alone, and I freaking LOVE it! I thought that when I moved out of the marital home, I would be lonely. Sometimes I am, not gonna lie. But 95% of the time I am content to be alone, just doing what I do. I maintain plenty of social interaction (just went to downtown LA on Thursday night with 3 friends for dinner and to see the musical “Everybody’s Talking About Jamie”) but I can go three or four days without leaving my house and I’m perfectly content. I love that about myself.
I just read Joan’s response, and I echo her thoughts about being too direct. But I’ve recently given up playing those head games with myself. If I see someone with a great smile or beautiful makeup, I just tell them. I’ve never once had a negative response. Usually, the person’s face lights up with surprise at the unexpected compliment and they walk away with more spring in their step. Then I feel like I’ve done my good deed for the day, and it gives me a lift as well!
SIDE NOTE: I know you love songs that speak to you, so Google the song, “He’s My Boy”. I know it’s on Spotify. As a boy mom, this one will tear your heart out (but in a good way.) It’s from the musical that I mentioned above. During the performance it blew me away (the friend next to me was actually sobbing and I had to put my arm around her to calm her down) so I know that you will feel it, too!
Oh, thank you, Kelly!! I can’t wait to look it up when I am in the mood to be emotional. I’m so happy that you can relate to what I am saying. It feels good to have my squad here at the blog. <3
Kelly, this was so spot on! I was so busy forwarding your post to my writers group and my friends that I didn’t get around to commenting to you. Yes, to everything you wrote.
I am so happy that it seemed to resonate to quite a few people. 🙂