January 23, 2007 @ 8:51 pm | Filed under: Soul Food
"Tell me something about you that I don’t already know."
Every now and then Mike will still ask me this question – the same question he asked on a regular basis when we were dating and first married. That question alone was the catalyst for me opening up and admitting to him that I loved to write. That I wanted to be a writer.
Since then, I’ve tried using that mechanism in some of my other surroundings and with friends and family. At Bonnie’s surprise birthday party this past year, we learned 50 (yikes, just gave away which birthday it was) new facts about Bonnie that we didn’t already know.
At our WOW (Women of Worth) meeting at church last month, we opened up with an ice-breaker. The mission was to find two people that you didn’t talk to on a regular basis and discover five new things about them, and them share them with the entire audience.
The response is always the same. People are elated at what they discover. I think it is somehow liberating to have someone look at you and say, "I want to know more. I already know you’re married. Or that you have 2.5 children. And that you drive a Black Ford SUV. But I want to know about you."
I think if we were to take the time to delve deeper and care a little more, we would be amazed at the conversations that would unfold and the relationships that would be strengthened. This applies to husband/wife relationships, parent/child relationships, friendships, and family ties.
I was so moved when I read this earlier today over at Sarah’s. This is a brother and sister talking. He is an associate pastor at a local metroplex church and she and her husband live in Australia. This is yet another example of how much "soul food" we can receive from just from the words that come from the lips of those around us…when we take the time to delve deeper. To care more.
So now I have a question for YOU.
Tell me something about you that I don’t already know.
Something about me you don’t know – is that it really embarrasses me to be complimented on my musical talent because I know I don’t work hard enough at it, so I feel like I don’t deserve to be complimented.
Posted on January 23rd, 2007 at 10:13 pmI am absolutely petrified, near panic attack petrified, of dead bodies. Funerals are very very difficult for me. The whole process of dying and death scares me in a very unhealthy manner. (And yet I can’t wait to be with Jesus.)
Posted on January 24th, 2007 at 6:15 amI love knowing these facts about you. Liz, I’m quite sure that your musical talent more than deserves to be complimented! And Ro – I’m with you on the death thing. But, girls, now tell me something POSITIVE about you. It’s not bragging, it’s just “enlightening” me.
Posted on January 24th, 2007 at 7:01 amSomething about me that you don’t know..
Posted on January 24th, 2007 at 7:36 amWell, I graduated from college in 2003 from the University at Buffalo with a BA in legal studies. I am very proud of myself for accomplishing this goal of mine….i did it while raising 3 kids(my 4th came after college)…and it only took me 10 years to do it, but i did it.
Carey! That is so inspiring!!! You really DO understand the whole going to college while raising a family thing, don’t you? And hey, what is 10 years compared to a whole life laid out before you! You SHOULD be VERY proud. I’m proud of you too!!!
Posted on January 24th, 2007 at 8:33 amYes i do understand the whole going to college thing while raising a family. I would do it all over again the same way if i had too.
Posted on January 24th, 2007 at 8:36 amI’ll have to think a while on this… it took me a little while to think of the first one!
Hmmmm….
Posted on January 24th, 2007 at 9:18 amI think I’ve already shared with you enough for this week!!!!
Posted on January 24th, 2007 at 10:33 amSo whats the outcome of the purse? Did you buy it? And hows the word count coming along? You can do it! Keep going!
Posted on January 25th, 2007 at 10:01 am- My biggest dream is to be apart of the music industry OUTSIDE of the UPCI. There are very few artists that are and most of them quite honestly appear in the clearance section.
- I’d rather listen to someone about there problems then tell them about mine any day. This has a bad effect because I normally end up completely going into a rage about something else. I don’t express my feelings very well verbally.
Posted on January 25th, 2007 at 11:17 amCarey, thanks for caring about the word count! I’ve kept up my daily WC so far this week and I’m on Chapter Five. And the purse – I’m going to purchase it when I receive my next royalty check from my publisher in February. I’ll be sure and post a pic of me WITH the bag!
Tsionah – I can totally see you in the music industry! I’m so proud of you! Pursue your dreams, girl!
Posted on January 25th, 2007 at 8:16 pm