Okay, here we go again with a twenty-minute post. This is actually a harder exercise than I would have imagined because it really is such a short period of time and once I start writing, I find it hard to stop myself.
In fact, it feels similar to my experience with Marco Polo. I believe I mentioned the app once before and how I use it to keep in touch with a few people. Honestly, at this point in time, I basically use it with one close friend. We leave each other video messages most days and it is a nice way to stay in touch without having to wait for free blocks of time to align so we can talk on the phone (sometimes it is many weeks before we can catch up by phone).
This sounds funny, but on multiple occasions, I have started a message only to feel discontent with it and delete it. This is often due to the fact that I feel like I am rambling or I forgot to address a major point she talked about. I am a huge talker but leaving messages on this app has forced me to take a look at the way I communicate.
One lesson I am learning is that deleting and repeating messages is a misuse of my time. But more importantly, it is teaching me to be more precise about how I speak and what I speak about. It reminds me that not only does what I say matter, but my attitude matters. The things I say have the ability to affect not only my friend, but me as well. This seems like a no-brainer, but it is easy to forget when we interact with others throughout the day.
My goal for this blog is to encourage you and also to encourage myself. In these twenty minute posts I am forced to think about each word. What do I want to say and why is it important? Perhaps if I approach more of my life like this, I will find it easier and easier to hold tight to the things that matter and let go of the things that don’t.
