Learning Something About Y-O-U, and M-E

I’ve been working on various blogging attempts for over a dozen years. My posts are a wealth of information, primarily to me, but you may also get some value from them. My theme is simple, “Making Sense of Life, One Thought at a Time.“

We are not good at multitasking. Our brains and emotions can only handle a single moment. Load and layer it up? We become overwhelmed.

Through these years, I’ve learned a lot about myself, what makes me tick, where I find joy, and how chock full of nuggets are in my mind and from my research.

Equally, I’m always learning something about you. Oh, and by the way, I’m learning even more about myself.

When I began thinking about writing a book, one premise started with understanding the potential audience. Create an Avatar. This seems to be a term that finds its roots in Hinduism. At least, that’s what most of the dictionaries tell me. Yet, it’s also an electronic image of a person. Maybe yourself, or perhaps of someone you are looking for. They’ve become popular when your photograph doesn’t quite cut it.

So, I started creating an image of the person most likely to read what I am interested in writing about. Other than those who know me and would find an interest, I started gleaning from my social posts, which my reader might be. There is a variety! It’s challenging to whittle down that block of information into an image of a potential reader.

Hmmm… It found me.

What does it mean? Maybe my book idea is a wasted effort. Unless I write with a subject in mind, and I want to achieve an ending goal, you, the reader, want to walk with me down that path. Where? To the end of the rainbow, of course!

Getting closer to 70-years old, I’m still willing to learn what makes all of us tick!

Here’s What I’ve Learned

Have you ever watched someone screenprinting a T-shirt or some other article? It’s a layered approach of images and colors applied by pressure, heat, and repeated as necessary. The final product looks nothing like the first layer. It’s the last layer that brings it all together.

Life is about layers. Pressure. Heat. Repeat as necessary. Learn!

When I go through a trial, I find out who my friends are. Suddenly, I realized most of my friends were far away. Over There, Down the Holler (actually close to Gurley Hollow), and on the Other Side of life’s joy. The past few years show me that most of my friends are not physically close to my location. They live in other states. A few come from family connections, co-workers, neighbors, or once strangers who opened up their door to my world.

Some friends show up only when needed the most. Yes. They are friends, know who they are, and what they mean to my world.

But around me today? They are fewer than a few and very far between.

I belong to a fellowship, but it only works if I go to them. Spend the money and time to show up where they are, and you have access. A few years ago, I showed up at a special honors event. Several said, “Hey, call me some time…” but “You never call me!” Or, when and if I do get a call, it’s only because they want something. Ca-Ching! This changes how I manage this layer of my world. This fellowship is not about friendship. I’ve learned this succinctly.

Friendships start with a backyard fence mentality.
Proximity forces connections.
Let’s chew the fat for a while.

It opens up my view of a personal world when I think it through. Have I become like “them?” Gasp! I certainly hope not! Time will tell as I analyze this part of my questioning moment.

The Pandemic changed a lot of these connections, that’s for sure. As we come back from the edge, could it be we will need to re-create our relationships? Most definitely. But during the season, I learned even more about Y-O-U and me.

At any stage, every stage, it’s time to evaluate. If there’s value, you stay connected no matter how much on the outside you feel. If there’s no value, you may remain despite the connection lack and live through the events. Regardless, you must choose the person you will be, and become.

Our Final Image

We are defined by our life that has been groomed through shades and shapes across the years and miles. Experiences. Victories. Defeat. Battle lines. Even those personal connections that most hunger for but never find.

Others seldom know the personal trials you face,
nor the minute decisions that make you who you are.
Are they still worth the time and effort?
Time will tell.

Who are you? A friend that sticks closer than a brother? One who can gnaw the bone in quiet solitude but then share when the next dog shows up? Or, do you work hard at being the person we all recognize only by your connection and position?

I’m learning much about M-E. Everyday. All the time. You only know what you see, but you will never know who I am until you stretch yourself over the backyard fence and enjoy some fellowship. That’s where we learn the most about a person.

To a boss who wanted me to be more like himself, I said, “I’m going to be the best “me” that “me” knows how.” Everyone had an impression of his world, and no one wanted to be like him!

So, I burn another image and load it on the screen press – add some color, position, apply the pressure, heat, and see the results. Try again. I’m still learning!

To my bride, who agrees with me: We are our own best friends, Y-E-S!

Jesus

Hanging on the cross, Jesus saw the crowd and heard their calls. He prayed, “Father, forgive them. They don’t know what they’re doing.” (Luke 23:34) They don’t know what they are doing. Forgive.

As I was thinking through this, it came to my attention that Luke is the only Gospel that contains these words. Where was Luke when Jesus was on the cross? I’m not sure. Who did he travel with? The Apostle Paul. Luke came to the Christian story later in life. He wrote from personal testimony of those events and from the witness of Paul, who tells the story of Jesus everywhere he goes.

These words must have meant a lot to Saul of Tarsus.

Before his conversion, Saul was following the law and imprisoning, punishing, and agreeing to the death of so many who followed Jesus. Could it be the words of Jesus are also the words of Saul? Forgive them. Forgive me.

Let’s make our next steps right!