the truth about {NOTHING}

I was thinking about what to write about today and nothing came to mind. I started thinking about that thought. The thought of nothing. I am sitting here- home on a Saturday evening. I didn't really do much today. I had planned on going to work out and attending a yoga class but I slept in with my 5 year old in bed beside me. I brainstormed about upcoming workshops this afternoon and worked on some creative projects but that's pretty much it. My five year old is in already back in bed with a fever and I am just sitting around surfing the web and being enlightened reading websites and blogs. But it hit me that this nothingness that I refer to is anything but that. It is my life and the truth. It may not be the most exciting of days in my life and nothing eventful to write about but that does not change the fact that this is happening and this is my life. It is something. And that something is actually quite large.

The next time that you think that you are doing nothing- or if you are someone who accounts your life to be nothing- read the definition below and see if that thought is true...

Dictionary.com Unabridged (v 1.1) - Cite This Source - Share This
noth·ing Audio Help /ˈnʌθɪŋ/ Pronunciation Key - Show Spelled Pronunciation[nuhth-ing] Pronunciation Key - Show IPA Pronunciation
–noun
1. no thing; not anything; naught: to say nothing.
2. no part, share, or trace (usually fol. by of): The house showed nothing of its former magnificence.
3. something that is nonexistent.
4. nonexistence; nothingness: The sound faded to nothing.
5. something or someone of no importance or significance: Money is nothing when you're without health.
6. a trivial action, matter, circumstance, thing, or remark: to exchange a few nothings when being introduced.
7. a person of little or no importance; a nobody.
8. something that is without quantity or magnitude.
9. a cipher or naught: Nothing from nine leaves nine.
10. (used in conventional responses to expressions of thanks): Think nothing of it. It's nothing. Nothing to it.
–adverb 11. in no respect or degree; not at all: It was nothing like that. Nothing dismayed, he repeated his question.
–adjective 12. amounting to nothing, as in offering no prospects for satisfaction, advancement, or the like: She was stuck in a nothing job.

my life as an adjective...

When I gave up my maiden name at marriage- I lost more than 5 letters of the alphabet. By taking his name, I gave up who I was in the world.

I remember the process of officially getting my name changed on all of my ID, but I did not realize back then what it meant to change my identity. I willingly handed over a part of me. And then slowly, I went from being a noun to an adjective. I felt like I was nothing more than a function of a noun. Although syntactically my position may have preceded his, it meant nothing at all. Without a noun an adjective has no place. Grammatically a noun can exist alone but an adjective is attached to a noun. It serves no purpose on its own. And that is pretty much how I felt, co-dependent on a noun.

Looking back now I think- boy did my grammar ever suck! Luckily I did figure out the truth- that after all- he was just a noun! I had been the one who has added something special. I put the grammar aside and took back my place and meaning.

People still ask me every now and then if I ever plan on changing my name back. I laugh. What's in a name anyways? Maybe I will one day but the truth is that I can't really go back to the person I was back then either. I reclaimed me and that is what matters.

It should not matter what names we take on in life. Nothing should ever redefine our meaning!

I leave you with Shakespeare...

What's in a name? That which we call a rose by any other word would smell as sweet.

Life 101- Hands on Learning

Have you ever considered how in life- we get the test first and then learn the lesson?

As far as lessons go- I think I've learned a thing or two. They have this quality of coming back again and again until we get it right. Take relationships for example (in the general sense), I have been in that course for what seems an eternity. Seriously- I think somehow I got enrolled on the lifetime plan. The faces would change, the places would be different- but the lessons- they kept reappearing. The same old story. And if regular classes were not enough- life decided that it would put me in remedial classes- night school summer school- whatever it took!

As long as there is life- there are lessons. The thing about lessons is that they never really end- we just move on to the next one. And for me at least- I find that the lessons past have all taught me what I need to know as I move forward. And as different as each of our lives are- so are our lessons.

If you find the guide- do let me know but in the meantime you can find me in Life 101.

Artist: gilad
Title: User Manual to life
Available at deviantart.com

Front Row & Backstage Pass: Your Life

It doesn't really matter what stage you are at in your life- take a minute and consider the following....

The lights are dimmed, the curtains are raised and right there on center stage- the spotlight shines on you. This is your life. And you are the star of the show.

As you look out- you see your audience. Move your gaze and focus on the front row. Who do you see? These are the people who have been given the honour of having the best seats in your life. Are they your biggest fans? Are they giving you a standing ovation? When you look out- are these the familiar faces that you want to see.

Now take a step back. Look behind you. Who is standing backstage? If this was your last performance- is this the same face or faces that you would want to see?

We have all handed out front row and backstage passes to our lives. Take some time and think about who these ticket holders are? Do they deserve to be there? Do they support you through your life's performances? Everyone applauds when your show is a hit- but who is there for you when your show is a flop? Who are the faces that you look to for comfort. The ones who love you no matter how you perform? The ones who will cheer the loudest and be there no matter what price they have to pay?

Is there anyone missing? Or- is there someone there who does not deserve to be? This is your stage and you can do as you choose. Your act is not over and you still have time to make it right. Your ushers are standing by. Ready to accompany your VIP's to the front and to kick out the ones who should be in standing room only.

This is your life and there is no dress rehearsal. The second act is yet to come. You decide...

when your house burns down...

Here is something to consider when you feel like you have lost everything and you are starting all over again...

When your house burns down

You are given an unobstructed view of the sky

every last drop...

Think about the gifts you have been given. Do you open them and let them live and play? Or are they sitting there waiting to be unwrapped...

What are you waiting for?

What are you afraid of?

What will happen if you start doing the things that you love?

Do you even know what your gifts are?

Here's something to think about...

When I stand before God at the end of my life,
I would hope that I could not have a single bit of talent left,
and could say,
I used everything you gave me
{Erma Bombeck}

Artist: *ahermin

Title: Last Drop

Available at deviantart.com