“Just because you know a person’s love language doesn’t mean you traffic easily in it” ~Jenn Haston~
Category: Uncategorized
The Fine Art Of Conversation
Dear Readers,
When was the last time you picked up your phone to talk to someone? I don’t mean to call your partner to remind them to pick up the milk, or other transactional items, I mean calling someone to talk, to catch up, and to converse rather than text.
I know, texting is easier, and you can say all you need to say in a text, so why bother with a good old-fashioned phone call?
I will give you four reasons.
1. You can’t enjoy the same level of intimacy that you get from hearing your friend laugh at something you said in real-time, not reading it on a screen.
2. Last time I checked, job interviews still require you to answer questions and talk about yourself, so you might as well hone that skill with someone you love and trust.
3. Friendships are born at the moment one of you says to the other, “you too?” I thought it was just me who felt that way. That just doesn’t happen in a text.
4. It feels good to have another person hear your voice and talk to you, especially given all the distance.
I am definitely an outlier on this, because I schedule phone calls a lot, and I think my relationships are the richer for it. There are also the “I love you” (my Mom has dubbed these Stevie Wonder calls) so much better than a text. Definitely a “poor baby” is more effective voice to voice and sometimes the very act of talking something out is cathartic.
Getting right down to it, my favourite way to connect with people is face to face, but for the sake of safety, that isn’t really advisable so, I would love to see a resurgence of the “conversation” as a result of all the social distance. Is it hard? Will it be a little awkward? Probably.
But before you go back to texting, please think about the richness you could bring to your relationship just by picking up the phone and talking.
Think About It.
Haston Helping Hands-Criticism or Correction?
“Most people don’t like criticism, and it’s usually how we learn.” ~Jenn Haston~
Buy Nothing? Sell Nothing? Um, Yes, Please!
Dear Readers,
When was the last time you got something for nothing?
What in the world am I talking about?
During this time of social distance, it’s really hard to not feel isolated, and as some of co-workers were discussing recently, the temptation to buy more things is stronger than ever…. so what do you do? So how to fill both needs?
Easy- join your local buy nothing/sell nothing group!
It’s exactly what it sounds like, and it’s all people in your neighborhood giving things away, (most of it porch pick up so no contact but you have to coordinate timing with people and when you post, sometimes you talk a little about the thing you are giving away or why it’s available, or in the case of our KARAOKE machine (telling the story of how we met, which charmed the owner and won it for us!) and asking for things. It the modern day equivalent of asking a neighbor for a cup of sugar and it is great! It encourages the idea of getting something for NOTHING. Where else can you get that? NOWHERE!
I have made friends, gotten job leads, and some cool stuff for the munchkin! not to mention some VERY nice clothes for moi!
My shirt-Her hoodie- FREE!
The best part is that when you get something for nothing, you feel compelled to commence decluttering and give back yourself, so you get free things and you give away things that you were not really using anyway…. sounds like a win-win to me.
How about you?
Check it out and see what I mean!
Think About It.
Haston Helping Hands-What are your “rocks”?
“I don’t know what these rocks will become, and right now they are a moment captured.” ~Jenn Haston~
Amplifying Black Voices- Amanda Gorman
Last week on Inauguration Day, we saw this extraordinary woman capture the world.
“
We will rebuild, reconcile and recover
and every known nook of our nation and
every corner called our country,
our people diverse and beautiful will emerge,
battered and beautiful
When day comes we step out of the shade,
aflame and unafraid
The new dawn blooms as we free it
For there is always light,
if only we’re brave enough to see it
If only we’re brave enough to be it” -Amanda Gorman~
Haston Helping Hands-Making Sunshine Out Of Rain
“Always tell me your rain or sunshine, because no matter the weather, I want the report.” ~Jenn Haston~
Birthday in Quarantine
Dear Readers,
Today is my birthday, and I definitely like to really celebrate every year. Most of the time, it’s a birthday week or weekend, not a birth(DAY) because as my good friend Jessi says, “I do what I want!” especially regarding my birthday.
When it hit about December, I started thinking, my birthday is really not going to be “the usual” this year. I mean, how could it be? Lockdown and social distance, do not exactly go with loud and crowded karaoke bash, which is what I have called my parties before.
This year was bound to be different so trying to lean into that and accept it, instead of railing against it has been my stance. A friend said, “you have to do something” and so I started planning.
It actually led to something awesome.
First, no karaoke and no in-person meet up meant I could decide to have several celebrations, not just one. I really like to take the whole week or weekend as it turned out, this year. Started with cookie delivery from my husband and daughter!
Secondly, the family Birthday day! Breakfast made for me by my partner.. (no pictures because I ate it)
Then, socially distanced, 8 feet apart outdoor coffee!
Then cheesesteaks and cookie cake- (my new favourite birthday meal)
Finally, on my birthday, a zoom call that was fully international and full of love. So many people I love on one screen.
It would be easy to complain about the birthday party I did not get or the hugs or high fives I missed, and I am doing my level best to look at that glass as half-full.
What is a good thing to come out of all this social distance?
Well, for me? A zoom call with people who are all at least a state, of not a country away, that would not have happened without the need for creative virtual meetings. What are you embracing because of social distance?
Think About It.
Haston Helping Hands- Give Up The Hurry!
“No worries, no hurries” ~Jenn Haston~
What’s your hurry? Can you give it up? Even if just for a day or so?
Think About It!
The Snowy South?
Dear Readers,
On Saturday night, I went to sleep and hoped for snow, because the forecast promised it, but didn’t REALLY believe it, this time it was! The whole family woke up to snow! Not just on the roof and car and backyard but miracle of miracles, it was still falling!!! It fell all day and I have to admit, it was kind of magical.
Quiet and beautiful, there was a kind of hush that settled over me as I watched it come down, and turn everything to snow-covered dreams.
Other than movies and manufactured snow, I have never really seen this much snow before.
It was beautiful ! I got to play in it with my family and for just a second contemplated moving north, like Canada or Wisconsin, then I got super cold and said, “No, I think I will just enjoy it while it’s here”
It got me thinking, what are we missing out on because we want more of it, so we fail to fully appreciate the here and now. I wish I could bottle that feeling and the pictures will just have to do.
Think About It.
Haston Helping Hands 