I'm a fast walker. I usually eat breakfast in the car. I'm often thinking about multiple things at one time. Almost everyday I have some sort of a "to do" list. I sometimes have trouble falling asleep. I tend to be on the move. You'll rarely find me at home on the couch. Even when it seems there is little going on I end up busy doing something. Bottom line- the things I do, I like to do well, and I like to do a lot of different things. But here and there I really love to slow down. However, sometimes I have to be reminded to bring it down a notch, to calm down, to relax, to breathe, to let things go until tomorrow and to just be.
I know you're wondering what I'm talking about. How does any of this relate to my liking the color of my bedroom? Let me try to explain. Some years ago while celebrating my birthday in Austin I had the extreme privilege of getting a massage at the incredibly fabulous Lake Austin Spa. That place is heaven, but that's another story. Anyway, while waiting for my massage I sat in this perfectly serene room filled with comfy chairs, chilled water with lemon, beautiful books and a portrait worthy glow of light reflecting off the lake and the trees. But the one detail of this great relaxing room that I was quickly drawn to was its color. Both gentle and exquisite and soft and refreshing, the blue shade drew me in and captivated me. I instantly felt at ease. I wanted to create that same peaceful feeling at home. After a few phone calls I found the key to serenity-Benjamin Moore Summer Blue.
The other details of how my bedroom changed overnight from tan to summer blue I'll leave out, but let's just say I now have my own private quiet retreat. I like the color of my bedroom because it invites me into a place I so often need to find. A place where I can let all of the little things go and I can unwind. You see, I'm not one to live passively. Even when it appears that I'm just sitting somewhere, I'm usually either intently listening or silently thinking. Certainly I'm no genius, but my mind is the kind that doesn't like to rest. Couple this wandering mind with the fact that I like to be on the move, and you start to see why I need some relaxation in my life.
I like the summer blue color of my bedroom when it calls out to me, "Settle down!" I like the way the walls look when I turn on only the lamp in my bedroom. There's this indescribable energy and if I sit quietly I can hear the rippling waves of the ocean or even see the sky with its thick puffy clouds happily moving about. The images, all shadows of blue, call out to me, "Stop thinking so much. Stop doing so much." Just be. Believe me I can be happy this way. I don't need to be always on the move, I just simply forget to slow down.
When we think too much and do too much we start to forget the basics. We make plans for things that are supposed to happen that never do. We overlook things that are right in front of us. We plan instead of react. Sometimes each of us needs a little reminder to change our thoughts, to put insignificant things aside, to take a minute, an hour or a day and to live a bit slower. For me, I need to remember to stop and to look at the serene walls in my bedroom. Calm down. Slow down. Look around and see what's there.
I like the color of my bedroom.
Monday, September 20, 2010
Sunday, September 5, 2010
Lindsay Likes...Having More Than One Side
I still hear the words and want to laugh. "I always liked to vacuum in the nude." Imagine my surprise when the nearly ninety year old woman sitting next to me at a dinner party decided to share this intimate detail with me about her life. Such images came to my mind and still do when I recall this. Although I didn't know every detail of my table companion's life; I certainly hadn't pegged her as the free-spirit nudist type. People really can surprise you!
I know as people get to know me they are sometimes surprised. I've been called "conservative," "a sweet nice girl" and even "a goody-two shoes." Some would probably describe me as serious or shy while others may say...well I won't speculate. The truth is I may be all of these things at times but I'm so many other things as well (except I've never claimed the goody-two shoes label-I think the person that told me that was actually saying it in a mean way). Sometimes it's interesting to hear what others portray me as because I often feel like I'm always evolving and always trying to figure myself out.
Without giving my inner-most personality traits away-if you're so curious get to know me better, I'll let you in on a few little glimpses of me. Although I would describe myself as an independent person, when I'm around my family I tend to quickly become "the baby" again. While one day I may be driving a rental car in Malibu or exploring the neighborhoods of New York City alone, the next day I may be tagging along with my Mom at the grocery store while she asks me what she can make me for dinner. I can be such a grown-up yet even a minute later become this silly childish girl. I promise I've been to Law School and learned to handle myself in the professional world, but I can still talk like a baby on command. I can put on my serious work face but I can also laugh for endless amounts of time over unexpected funny noises or stupid stories from years ago (like the time some of my high school friends left a shot-out old wheelchair on my front porch that they had found on the side of the road).
And yes I may be sweet and nice, but I can also be tough. I prefer to be friendly and easy-going which I usually am, but when the occasion calls for some toughness I'm not afraid to speak my mind. I'm normally even-tempered but when something gets me going, I have trouble letting it go and will breathe fire until I get it out of my system. I'm no pushover. I've got a voice deep within me and I have some hidden muscles so BEWARE!
Also, let me be clear. I like school, I like to read, I like jeopardy, I like to learn-but I love to have fun. I like beer, wine, vodka, champagne and those delectable minty mojitos! I like as you've heard to host parties and to entertain. I enjoy traveling, decorating my house and playing with furniture and accessories and I love fashion and art. I'm up for the occasional day at the pool with SPF 80+, I like a random bowling night here and there or mini-golf. Concerts are great, plays, museums, hanging out on my patio with friends and even taking a hike. I could go on and on but I'm giving away too many future Lindsay Likes topics. My point is that I have more than one side.
Just when you think you know someone you learn something new about them. Although sometimes our first impressions are correct so often people are not what they seem. We all stereotype even without realizing it. Sometimes in a big crowd this is the easiest way for us to find someone to befriend or to seek out for a certain purpose. But once you start asking questions or spending time with a person in different settings you see stuff and you learn stuff about them you never knew. I really like getting to know people and seeing what they are all about. I not only like that I have more than one side but I like when others do too. It makes things interesting. Some depth in people is a good thing. You hang out with them for a while and you learn things, sometimes even things about yourself.
I like having more than one side.
I know as people get to know me they are sometimes surprised. I've been called "conservative," "a sweet nice girl" and even "a goody-two shoes." Some would probably describe me as serious or shy while others may say...well I won't speculate. The truth is I may be all of these things at times but I'm so many other things as well (except I've never claimed the goody-two shoes label-I think the person that told me that was actually saying it in a mean way). Sometimes it's interesting to hear what others portray me as because I often feel like I'm always evolving and always trying to figure myself out.
Without giving my inner-most personality traits away-if you're so curious get to know me better, I'll let you in on a few little glimpses of me. Although I would describe myself as an independent person, when I'm around my family I tend to quickly become "the baby" again. While one day I may be driving a rental car in Malibu or exploring the neighborhoods of New York City alone, the next day I may be tagging along with my Mom at the grocery store while she asks me what she can make me for dinner. I can be such a grown-up yet even a minute later become this silly childish girl. I promise I've been to Law School and learned to handle myself in the professional world, but I can still talk like a baby on command. I can put on my serious work face but I can also laugh for endless amounts of time over unexpected funny noises or stupid stories from years ago (like the time some of my high school friends left a shot-out old wheelchair on my front porch that they had found on the side of the road).
And yes I may be sweet and nice, but I can also be tough. I prefer to be friendly and easy-going which I usually am, but when the occasion calls for some toughness I'm not afraid to speak my mind. I'm normally even-tempered but when something gets me going, I have trouble letting it go and will breathe fire until I get it out of my system. I'm no pushover. I've got a voice deep within me and I have some hidden muscles so BEWARE!
Also, let me be clear. I like school, I like to read, I like jeopardy, I like to learn-but I love to have fun. I like beer, wine, vodka, champagne and those delectable minty mojitos! I like as you've heard to host parties and to entertain. I enjoy traveling, decorating my house and playing with furniture and accessories and I love fashion and art. I'm up for the occasional day at the pool with SPF 80+, I like a random bowling night here and there or mini-golf. Concerts are great, plays, museums, hanging out on my patio with friends and even taking a hike. I could go on and on but I'm giving away too many future Lindsay Likes topics. My point is that I have more than one side.
Just when you think you know someone you learn something new about them. Although sometimes our first impressions are correct so often people are not what they seem. We all stereotype even without realizing it. Sometimes in a big crowd this is the easiest way for us to find someone to befriend or to seek out for a certain purpose. But once you start asking questions or spending time with a person in different settings you see stuff and you learn stuff about them you never knew. I really like getting to know people and seeing what they are all about. I not only like that I have more than one side but I like when others do too. It makes things interesting. Some depth in people is a good thing. You hang out with them for a while and you learn things, sometimes even things about yourself.
I like having more than one side.
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