Silence Speaks Volumes

Silence. Traditionally known as the woman's greatest weapon (especially when battling a man). However, it is more than a little annoying when a man turns this weapon against you.

Silence is supposed to be our magic sword. We can wield it over a man and have him question everything from his manhood, to his latest choice in movie rental options. Just by saying absolutely nothing.

Not so fun when the shoe is on the other foot.

What I find interesting/amusing about this, is that every time a guy goes silent on me, I assume the absolute worst. He's mad at me for something. He's punishing me. He's trying to get revenge for that time when I pulled the silent treatment on him.

When the silence is broken and he finally calls....turns out he was just busy. That's it. Nothing malicious.

This is completely baffling to a woman. Silence must mean something. It can't just mean....nothing.

Can men really be that simple?


Apparently.

Move Your Body...

....and your mind will follow.

I have discovered that when I'm feeling unmotivated to do the important stuff (i.e. work), if I get into the gym and start moving my body, suddenly the mind comes around.

This has been a great coping mechanism as of late, especially when things in my life feel like they're spinning out of control. When I'm feeling overwhelmed, I know I can start moving out of the chaos by focusing first on the things that I can control. First and foremost, that would be my body. I can move it. I can make it sweat. I can jump around and get my blood really pumping.

Like a good cleansing cry, a good hard gym workout can do wonders for opening up previously blocked energy channels. Suddenly, it becomes clear what should be the first step of any task. The plan starts to come together. All the moving pieces seem to align.

"When you stand centered in your own space, it will become clear what your choices are, and which ones to make."


So. True.

The Knight In Shining Armor Is Just a Myth....so says Anais Nin

And I would have to agree with her.

"How wrong it is for a woman to expect the man to build the world she wants, rather than to create it herself."

-Anais Nin

I recall several years ago having a very similar conversation with a good friend of mine. We were in a heated debate about the source of one's happiness - Should it come from within? Should others be responsible for providing it?

The danger of putting your happiness in a box and allowing someone else to be responsible for it is the same danger you undertake when allowing a valet to park your car. They're never going to treat it with as much care and respect as you do.

However, if you're responsible for your own happiness, you get to choose the path that helps you find that happiness. No sitting on the sidelines and hoping for the best while someone else steers you blindly down the wrong path.

To bring this all back to my original statement, 'the knight in shining armor is just a myth,' its a myth because you can't expect someone else to know every little thing they're supposed to do to make you happy. Only you know what makes you happy, and to put that unrealistic expectation on someone else is just setting them up for failure.

There can be no knight in shining armor because, generally, people aren't psychic and that's the kind of power a guy would need in order to meet and exceed a woman's every expectation and thus catapult him into 'shining armor' status.

So, as all you lovebirds out there head off to your overpriced, chocolate-infused Valentine's Day dinner, just remember this - first and foremost, be the keeper of your own happiness. You're really the only one who is qualified enough to succeed at it. Anyone else would just do a hack job, and your happiness deserves far better than that.

And the time came...

...when the risk to remain tight in a bud was more painful than the risk it took to blossom.

- Anais Nin