This week's quote really resonated with me. When I took the LSAT, 20 years ago, I had a need for status in the form of admission to a prestigious school. (And I was offered a major scholarship at Texas, and slots at Virginia and Cornell.) I was obsessed with prestige, in part because my extended family is full of Ivy League professors, child prodigies who started Cornell and Chicago at 16, etc etc and I needed to feel like I was a good. (Clan of Jewish Asperger's-having genius-level savants on both sides. I joked about Uncle Bob -- actually a cousin)
But now, 20 years later, after having made a lot of stumbles and finally evened out, I actually want to go to law school so I can practice law as a way to have a challenging career where I can help people and live more comfortably. I'm okay now that I'm never going to teach at Brown or win a Nobel Prize. And the amazing thing is, I'm more motivated, which is translating into practice test scores that are better than I did 20 years ago.
Ohhhh…hooo, I so agree with social media stance..Iv been slowly letting it go. I do think for business purposes , it’s important, but for personal relationships , not, for news, no..and I’d almost agree with extremist who believe it’s satan for the soul
Yes. I deactivated my facebook account and have had difficulty not going on. I went off because I have been married 22 years and I served papers. I don’t want to know about him anymore or it is too hard to move on. I wish I could forgive like you talk about but I am not close to ever forgiving him. Not seeing him on fb helps with him never existing(except my 3 kiddies)😺
Divorce is the death of a marriage. There are stages in grief. It's okay to be where you are at now. You have intuitive wisdom, as you proved by deactivating your FB account.
I smiled all the way through your post today! I felt a lot of zippy do dah in it. Great energy. Loved it!
Some sentences and phrases that caught my attention
Bad writing is a bonus
Just eaten a glazed donut
Navel watching… all made me chuckle
And the lines that moved me
The truth sat down on me
Gifts of resilience & courage
That’s a such a great picture of you in the olive green suit.. and congratulations on the hand stand! I have to walk up backwards against a wall to get there. It is very challenging.
Give you all the credit ⭐️
I’m with you on social media. I’ve never found anything inside me that needed the attention from posting. It’s like oxygen for some folks. I appreciate your words regarding same.
Shelby’s cake looks delicious!!
Oh let me not forget to mention the picture of the lone apple. Couldn’t help but stare at for a minute. I have a similar bowl that I keep filled with apples as I eat 2 a day. And the painting is lovely. 🦋
Thank you Allison. Some outstanding writing today. Loved it.
Beautiful missive, as ever. And I applaud you big time on the courage to leave social media. I take long breaks/months away from it and it’s truly astonishing how much more reading and other work I get done - not to mention less depressive and anxious scrolling - that invaluable time to LIVE more fully!
Your retirement from social media is a testament to your character and integrity. Speaking of navel gazing, social media is the ultimate form, particularly those annoying selfies that make people look either narcissistic or extremely insecure. Neither one is a good look. This is in contrast to your great sense of style and I’m sure you’re the best dressed at work!
Allison, you make so much sense. You are one of the most grounded people that have a place in my life and I am so grateful for the wisdom that you bestow on those of us who are receptive. Bless you, dear woman. Your shining spirit is an inspiration!
Re: the photo in your Theory suit - what products do you use on your hair? You and I have a similar curl pattern, though I don’t have near the volume. I’d love to know your curl routine!
I have had to rethink how I use social media. Instead of mindlessly scrolling, I look for the accounts that give me information about Armenia, my ancestral homeland. The mainstream media hardly covers news from there, so I seek out news outlets that post on Instagram. That's all I have bandwidth for these days. I prefer Substack. It stimulates my soul and my intellect.
Love this post (as always). I have not watched TV in two years. Killed my FaceBook account four years ago. Never was on anything else. Time = Freedom. Glad you are happy/happier.
This week's quote really resonated with me. When I took the LSAT, 20 years ago, I had a need for status in the form of admission to a prestigious school. (And I was offered a major scholarship at Texas, and slots at Virginia and Cornell.) I was obsessed with prestige, in part because my extended family is full of Ivy League professors, child prodigies who started Cornell and Chicago at 16, etc etc and I needed to feel like I was a good. (Clan of Jewish Asperger's-having genius-level savants on both sides. I joked about Uncle Bob -- actually a cousin)
But now, 20 years later, after having made a lot of stumbles and finally evened out, I actually want to go to law school so I can practice law as a way to have a challenging career where I can help people and live more comfortably. I'm okay now that I'm never going to teach at Brown or win a Nobel Prize. And the amazing thing is, I'm more motivated, which is translating into practice test scores that are better than I did 20 years ago.
Thank you for sharing your thoughts on social media. You encapsulate thoughts I've had about it. Food for thought. Much appreciated.
Your spirit shines with what you impart. Thank you for all you give in words, music, books, etc.
Ohhhh…hooo, I so agree with social media stance..Iv been slowly letting it go. I do think for business purposes , it’s important, but for personal relationships , not, for news, no..and I’d almost agree with extremist who believe it’s satan for the soul
Regarding separating from social media, I've been feeling that a lot lately.
I feel I could be doing something better, something constructive and/ or creative.
I still have a few accounts, though I rarely visit them. I'm glad I stumbled across your Instagram post that led me here.
Thank you
You are such an inspiration to me…I’m actually doing a festival with handmade items with my best friend ex sister in law. I’m doin it. Imperfectly
Yes. I deactivated my facebook account and have had difficulty not going on. I went off because I have been married 22 years and I served papers. I don’t want to know about him anymore or it is too hard to move on. I wish I could forgive like you talk about but I am not close to ever forgiving him. Not seeing him on fb helps with him never existing(except my 3 kiddies)😺
Divorce is the death of a marriage. There are stages in grief. It's okay to be where you are at now. You have intuitive wisdom, as you proved by deactivating your FB account.
Thank you
I smiled all the way through your post today! I felt a lot of zippy do dah in it. Great energy. Loved it!
Some sentences and phrases that caught my attention
Bad writing is a bonus
Just eaten a glazed donut
Navel watching… all made me chuckle
And the lines that moved me
The truth sat down on me
Gifts of resilience & courage
That’s a such a great picture of you in the olive green suit.. and congratulations on the hand stand! I have to walk up backwards against a wall to get there. It is very challenging.
Give you all the credit ⭐️
I’m with you on social media. I’ve never found anything inside me that needed the attention from posting. It’s like oxygen for some folks. I appreciate your words regarding same.
Shelby’s cake looks delicious!!
Oh let me not forget to mention the picture of the lone apple. Couldn’t help but stare at for a minute. I have a similar bowl that I keep filled with apples as I eat 2 a day. And the painting is lovely. 🦋
Thank you Allison. Some outstanding writing today. Loved it.
xo
Me too Gay
Beautiful missive, as ever. And I applaud you big time on the courage to leave social media. I take long breaks/months away from it and it’s truly astonishing how much more reading and other work I get done - not to mention less depressive and anxious scrolling - that invaluable time to LIVE more fully!
Your retirement from social media is a testament to your character and integrity. Speaking of navel gazing, social media is the ultimate form, particularly those annoying selfies that make people look either narcissistic or extremely insecure. Neither one is a good look. This is in contrast to your great sense of style and I’m sure you’re the best dressed at work!
Enjoyed this thorough, chat filled and very brave post. 💙
Allison, you make so much sense. You are one of the most grounded people that have a place in my life and I am so grateful for the wisdom that you bestow on those of us who are receptive. Bless you, dear woman. Your shining spirit is an inspiration!
Re: the photo in your Theory suit - what products do you use on your hair? You and I have a similar curl pattern, though I don’t have near the volume. I’d love to know your curl routine!
Hi Jennifer. Check out the post from Nov 4 in the Questions + Answers section. I describe what I do in detail there. Thanks!
Beautiful and meaningful, as always. Really important that I start each week with this post. Thank you.
I have had to rethink how I use social media. Instead of mindlessly scrolling, I look for the accounts that give me information about Armenia, my ancestral homeland. The mainstream media hardly covers news from there, so I seek out news outlets that post on Instagram. That's all I have bandwidth for these days. I prefer Substack. It stimulates my soul and my intellect.
Love this post (as always). I have not watched TV in two years. Killed my FaceBook account four years ago. Never was on anything else. Time = Freedom. Glad you are happy/happier.
Change is part of the journey Without change there is no growth I Always appreciate you Allison