Favorite bumper sticker? It can exist or you can make it up! Simplicity is the ultimate sophistication. – Randal Ford
Positively Purging-I welcome your feedbacks in the comments and your likes and passing the real life wisdom on to others as I embark on this new venture of “positively purging“, as I know each of these pieces represents something…
My wife and I have a fair number of friend groups. We enjoy social gatherings, especially dinners out, with all the groups. But only one or two of the couples ask us out as much as we ask them.
The majority of the other couples only seem to go out with us when we initiate it, although they seem to go out frequently with other mutual friends.
We’re certain they enjoy our company as much as we enjoy theirs and they readily accept our invitations when available, but we feel we’d never hear from them unless we initiate the contact. I don’t think we’re insecure, but it verges on annoying, and we’re tempted to constructively confront some of the couples (one or two of them) about this one-sidedness. Is there a diplomatic way to do this or should we just let it go and wait indefinitely for them to ask us out? – Socially Perplexed
Dear Perplexed: Something simple but direct like “we like spending time with you, and it would mean a lot if you initiated plans next time” can start the conversation. Some people just aren’t initiators. At other times, friends can fall into patterns that put a burden on one side. If you’re always initiating, they may think of you as the de facto planners and initiating may not cross their minds. Proactivity can be coached, even if you have to be the ones to initiate the conversation in the first place.
In Out of Solitude, priest and author Henri Nouwen writes, “Somewhere we know that without silence words lose their meaning, that without listening speaking no longer heals, that without distance closeness cannot cure.”
Without intentional space, our creative pursuits may be hollowed out and suffocated. There is nothing more harmful to creativity than an empty tank, a heart of haste, or detached living.
Positively Purging-I welcome your feedbacks in the comments and your likes and passing the real life wisdom on to others as I embark on this new venture of “positively purging“, as I know each of these pieces represents something…
What’s the difference between a satin and eggshell finish?
RANT to improper storage of my luggage. In February, I flew from Seattle to Miami. When I picked up my luggage in Miami, it was wet. I didn’t realize until I got to the hotel that the airline had placed an ice chest full of raw fish on top of my luggage for the entire flight. The liquid had seeped through my soft-sided luggage and ruined my clothes. Everything smelled bad. What a way to start a vacation! I had to fill out a form with 47 items to get reimbursed for the cost of the luggage. I still have not heard back.
RANT to football game schedulers who intrude on family and friends gatherings with games on Christmas Day (and Hanukkah this year too). We don’t need or want you. Enough is enough!
RANT AND RAVE Rant to all drivers, especially those in dark-colored cars, who drive without lights in the diminished light of the early morning and evening. Rave to all drivers who do drive with their lights on! Lights are not only for seeing the road but also to be seen!
RANT to a delivery truck that was parked in front of my house for 10 minutes. When they left, they left a huge oil spill on the street in front of my house where they were parked. Clean up your act.
RANT to the inconsiderate TikTok phone zombies idly occupying gym equipment with no regard for those who are waiting. One more instance where the phone triumphs over civility.
RANT to all the companies out there that are eliminating diversity, equity and inclusion programs. Just because it’s happening at the federal level doesn’t mean your organizations have to follow suit. Do you really and truly believe that your profits matter more than all the good these programs bring? Do you actually not have morals or principles? I for one will not be purchasing a thing from any one of you.
RANT to the dog owner/s who let their dog do their business on the floor of a grocery store. I already have to worry about the price of eggs. Do I now also have to worry about where I step while I’m grocery shopping? Please pick up after your dog no matter where you are!
RANT to people who drive without their lights on when it’s 7 a.m. and pouring. The streetlights are still on. Come on, people.
RANT to the vaunted silent reading venues now charging admission to get in. That defeats the whole purpose of silent reading night, which was a casual way to all be together doing one thing at one time. You make enough money from the food and drinks you sell, quit turning it into a Ticketmaster event.
Real Life of an MSW 