The other night I literally woke myself up from a dream, grabbed my newly purchased notebook from the sale section at Urban Outfitters and began to scribble down my thoughts.
This is what I wrote:
What really is a Profile Page? We are given a template. We chose what we want to “share” with the world. Our Hobbies. Our Interests. Our Favorite Movies. But… who are we really trying to impress? Do you think you are really getting the chance to “know” someone based on their favorite book?
What if there was a section called “Baggage”. I mean, seriously, we all have it so why don’t we admit it to ourselves and to others? Are we scared that people would not want to “be our friend” on Facebook if we actually chose to be honest with ourselves and others? What if we listed a struggle with alcohol or food addiction? A horrible ex relationship? Money or health issues? Don’t you think our baggage plays as big a part of who we are today and how we got to this point in our lives as our love for music?
Personally, I think so.
And yes, I am grateful for mine!!! How else would I have learned so much! The best part is when you meet a person that shares that the same baggage: POOF, instant connection! Kind of like me and my MS. It blows my mind how many people I have met that are such important friends in my world due to the fact that I have an auto immune disease. Call it a twist of fate.. but I believe it is more than that. It’s the baggage that brings us together!
It simply comes back to how you chose to define friendship. I like to think a real friend knows everything about you and loves you just the same! So… if this is the case, how many of you have really taken the time to KNOW people? To listen? To learn– and still love?
Ya know, if I were to meet a person and they claimed that they were able to look me in the eyes and say that they did not have any baggage… well, that would make me more worried than if they did!!!
Our baggage is like a building block… one colorful piece at a time. It means we have LIVED. We have traveled the many roads that our journey has put across our path.
Bring on the cargo of life 🙂
Carlyn – I can’t wait to write on your site – I love it! I’m home – haven’t unpacked or looked at my mail yet – catching up and off to play pool! I’m thinking about you a A LOT. So glad we became friends!
Later, Sherrie
Carlyn:
I love the idea that our “baggage” is what helps us connect to others. So often we hide our hurt and often that is what our real and true friends love most about us.
As we are able to show people our own struggles, and then share how we have overcome them and even turned them into a blessing, it can inspire and encourage someone else who is struggling.
I love that you do not allow your MS to define you. But rather you accept it and use it to connect with others and make you a more radiant and loving human being.
My Mother used to say often that God does not make us suffer, but He does us our suffering and struggles to mold our character if we allow Him to do so. She used to remind me that suffering can be a blessing in disguise. I understnad that more now as I get older and more mature.
That is our REAL “profile!” How we love and how we open true ourselves up to others.
Love always, your friend, Michelle
Carlyn,
I believe we are who we were when we were 12 years old, until significant emotional events we experience in life, both good and bad, cause us to change our belief filters (how we see life) and our behavior (Dr. Morris Massey). The adversities we encounter in life, depending on how we respond to them, can cause us to become stronger, calmer under fire, more courageous, more trusting in God, better friends, etc, or the reverse of all of these.
I’m so glad I had the opportunity to get to know you and to learn how you have responded to MS in such a positive way. How brave you are in facing your MS head on! May God bless and keep you, always!
Sue
Carlyn,
I believe we are who we were when we were 12 years old, until significant emotional events we experience in life, both good and bad, cause us to change our belief filters (how we see life) and our behavior (Dr. Morris Massey). The adversities we encounter in life, depending on how we respond to them, can cause us to become stronger, calmer under fire, more courageous, more trusting in God, better friends, etc, or the reverse of all of these.
I’m so glad I had the opportunity to get to know you and to learn how you have responded to MS in such a positive way. How brave you are in facing your MS head on! May God bless and keep you, always!
Sue
I think one of the great joys in life is having the opportunity to know people below the surface….and what amazes me is how often it turns out that we can empathize with one another — which generally becomes an opportunity to inspire one another.
I have been blessed with amazing children who understand the power of positive thinking.
Thank you for being the amazing , strong and inspiring child you are….
Mommy loves you.