“I’ll tell you one thing for sure, once you get to the point where you are actually doing things for truth’s sake, then nobody can ever touch you again because you are harmonizing with a greater power.” George Harrison
Storm watch
Where have I been? I know, I was AWOL. It has been a summer of raging heat waves and thunderstorms. There are summers that are stormier than others. It fills me with nostalgia for the first summer my family and I spent in Florida, which was followed by an insane hurricane season of 4 hurricanes in 6 weeks. (2004 was a stormy year, what can I say?) Ty Gibson recently wrote on Instagram that when it storms, he has to go outside and feel the rain on him. (I am assuming he wouldn’t do this if there is lightning– but who knows). He said that his grandma always said, “When there’s a storm, we go outside cuz that’s where the fun is.” It made me think about how when it storms, we seek shelter, but maybe the storm is where it’s at. Perhaps, it’s in the middle of fear and uncertainty that we find life.
Currently reading…
I have been growing and learning a lot. I have been reading a ton. Currently, I am reading: No Pain, No Gaines (Chip Gaines) [It’s a good one. Haven’t read a Gaines book I didn’t like], Under the Southern Sky (Kristy Woodson Harvey) [I like Kristy– this one is not my fav. I like the Peachtree Bluff series. This one is too predictable, in an absurd way. Regardless, I will finish it and want to support her. She is great], and Claudia and the Sad Good-bye (Yep, The Baby-Sitters Club– major throwback. Reading this with some friends) [*sobbing* be right back].
Risky business
I took a risk assessment test. It measures how much of a risk-taker you are. The average is a 6.3 for women (6.5 for men), and I tested at an 8.3. I realized I often don’t see the world in the same way many others do. Apparently, if you hand me a parachute, I will jump. I would rather fail than not try. I don’t quit. I think this lines up with (and explains) my life pretty well. I think that’s what happens when you have the God of the universe by your side. You jump (and He is right there with you).
Weekend from hell
What else, what else? I had a bizarre experience of spending an infernal weekend with a guest who I am convinced is part of a cult. It was a wild ride of a weekend. Would not do that again. We should make a “How to be a Decent Guest” checklist. Anyone down for that post?
Anger
I was talking to a friend, and I was reminded of how much of our anger can stem from our hurts, and quite frankly, our being rejected. Now, I will only talk for myself, so here is an excerpt from my journal:
“Could it be that our anger stems from being rejected, and we just want to be validated by certain people? We want to be wildly pursued; our company cherished. When you experience the opposite of that from someone you love, it’s hard. Truly, only God can validate who we are and give us a whole identity. The plain fact is– I need to remember I am deeply and wildly loved. We all are. So, act accordingly.”
Wishing you a beautiful weekend. School in the South starts in two weeks, y’all. I know, I know, I am in NYC. But truly, while I am not in the South, the South is always in me. xx
GABRIELA YARELIZ 