What's On Your Mind?

In last week's post, I briefly mentioned a conversation that took an unexpected turn. A lady complimented my little silicone straw tips. I like them because they provide some protection for my teeth from metal straws. It surprised me that she wasn’t concerned about her teeth at all. She wanted to prevent a metal straw from impaling her brain in case she got into a car accident while she was sipping! It must be exhausting to worry about such things all day long.

I have since learned that THIS IS A THING! My sister sent me a link to a story of a woman whose metal straw stabbed her eyeball. Ugh. So gross. Are you squeezing your eyes open and shut right now? ‘Cuz that’s what I did ALL DAY after reading that story!

You just never know what’s on a person’s mind. I mean, unless you’re that lady with the stabbed eye. We all know EXACTLY what’s on HER mind…..A METAL STRAW. *blink*blink*blink*

I realize how random and nutty my OWN thoughts are. Not because I am self-actualized but because people consistently let me know. Quizzical looks. Uncomfortable laughter. My mom straight-up tells me, “You know, you sound a little crazy.” My mom don’t play. She says it in an amused, only-slightly-concerned way. I'm pretty sure she tells me because she loves me.

Sometimes this makes me feel misunderstood and out of place. One time I was talking to my sister-in-law, Sandi, about a topic that had me really excited. I had just listened to Oprah’s Super Soul interview with Ainsley Macleod about past life traumas and Spirit Guides. Who knows whether any of it is true, but the conversation stirred me all up and I was eager to bounce ideas around with someone. Sandi’s eyes glazed over like a Voodoo donut. My sister told me I was being “too weird”. Whatever. It wasn’t the first time and it won’t be the last. I estimate that I am weird approximately every 30 minutes on average.

This past week, I met someone else who listens to Ester Perel podcasts. It was like finding a unicorn! I love, love, LOVE therapy podcasts! These are recordings of actual therapy sessions. Where Should We Begin? Other People’s Problems, and Motherhood Sessions are my favorites right now. I have listened to certain episodes over and over because they seemed so personally relevant and I wanted to absorb every bit of information that was being offered.

Several years ago, my oldest went through a really tough time, and Albert and I attended family therapy regularly for a couple of years. Once we found the right therapists, it was such a valuable experience. Learning to express yourself clearly. To be understood deeply. Interpreting your own words and actions from another person’s perspective. We did a lot of work between sessions, but an hour a week just seemed like we were scratching the surface. So these therapy podcasts were like extra-credit, having the answer key ahead of time so I could figure things out even faster.

Therapy also provided me with a reality check. I can get so wound up in thoughts and ideas that do me no good. Someone who is aware, who knows me, and who has a different perspective through vastly different experiences offered me a peek at myself through a different lens. Radical Acceptance was modeled for me, shoring me up when I thought I might crumble. And now that those seeds are planted, I practice and grow in them every day.

There is no other way to learn some of these lessons unless someone (or something) teaches us. Through therapy, I have learned to be more comfortable with my feelings, even when I feel like I might die from sadness or fear. Feelings can’t kill me. On their own they can’t even harm me. Embrace your feelings and don’t be scared. But while you're doing that, watch out for those metal straws.

What are your favorite podcasts? Do you love Ester Perel as much as I do? Thank you for reading! You can subscribe here to get new blog posts delivered right to your email inbox.