self-improvement | rfljenksy – Practicing Simplicity

I took the perfect photo with my Iphone about 8 years ago. I started to write a post on it, but literally lost my motivation.. or got carried away with other motivations. I’m settling back down and trying to finish up old tasks or personal challenges I left behind.

For awhile I loved taking photos of everything. I found it a bit exhilarating. I did it for myself and no one else. Somewhere along the way, I forgot that i only did it for myself and got caught up in only doing things for other’s enjoyment.

I am back and now trying to work on finding that intrinsic happiness of doing things because i enjoy them. Not for anyone else, but for my personal self satisfaction and interest. So here it is and I hope you enjoy it as much as I do.

Only one question: Thirsty?

“No matter how valuable you are and your ideas, fools will certainly play both of you down, so exclude yourselves from the inflammatory environs of fools.”
― Michael Bassey Johnson

Other posts I like

Mahbutt; Harlem; Livefree; girlvsworld; eric; hunger; happiness; doodle

I have hesitated starting a blog only because if I don’t even find myself that interesting to listen to.. what would I have to say to others? However, I wanted to find a way to share my adventures and so I sort of made a quasi-agreement with a friend to edit all of my blog entries.. or actually to write them for me under my name.

The agreement went that I would send details of what was actually transpiring in my life to him and he would write my blog for me.

What follows was my letter of offer to him to write my blog and what it would mean for me. This email wasn’t actually meant to be a blog.. but I think it’s as good a way to start as any. Mind you it’s not about my travels thus far.. but about my blogging quandary. Here goes..

My near actual proposal email to my friend –

Dear Friend,

So I know that we’ve talked about you writing my blog for me. You have seemed open to the idea so I want to give you more information about why it would be good for me to have you absolutely sign a contract agreeing to write my blog. You would be me. I would only provide you with some minute details into my life and adventures and you would do with it as you will.

Let me give you an example. I have a friend. She used to be my Japanese exchange student when she was 15/16. We’ve kept in touch over the years. She has visited me in Washington (the real one), I have visited her in NY and she is in fact in DC now. Over the years I have been trying to find easier ways to stay in contact, share pictures and so on.

Then came along Facebook. She hates FB and has refused time and time again to get on it for many reasons.. but mainly she just thinks it’s a waste of time. However, over the past several months I have convinced her (quasi-bullied her) into allowing me to set her up an account and only she and my daughters would be friends. It was the perfect plan. I set it up and she’s now on .. hidden from everyone else.

What I neglected to understand is that anyone who is my friend or my daughter’s friends might also see her. In less than 4 days she’s had over 7 friend requests. I have rashly accepted some of them.. sort of with her permission. Actually she never gave permission but I’ve had complete transparency with her and she has laughed about it. She has still not managed to sign on. Feeling bad for her new friends and not wanting them to think she is ignoring them, I’ve sent short, uncomplicated and non-committal responses claiming I don’t understand the system and am still trying to work things out.

This has caused several ever-helpful friends and family to send messages assisting her in figuring it out. She laughs.. but still does not sign on. I’m developing a tremendous sense of guilt (not really.. but I feel I should be).. I can’t come clean with the people.. now her FB friends.. but I hesitate deleting her account because truthfully her friends are really my friends. It’s a farce.. but it’s becoming ever more interesting.

Which brings me to you blogging for me.. it’s complicated.. admittedly fun.. but possibly dangerous..

In my situation, I can’t decide if I should keep responding as her and just sending all events related to her page to her in updates through email.. or if I should stop.. by the way as of today she has 8 more friend requests. This is in less than 2 weeks.

This brings me to another point. Through her FB I think I have doubled my ability to be charming and likable. I’m practically becoming Japanese which is causing me to think more diplomatically and be more polite and kind.

This takes me back to your blogging for me as me. If you do in fact blog for me, I think I can be substantially more intelligent, diplomatic, and possibly funnier, which makes me wonder if I stand in for others more often and have others stand in for me more often…. will I in fact be a better person? Just things to think about before we sign a contract..

AND THERE YOU HAVE IT

As you can tell at this point, he didn’t take me up on my offer. This was a year ago. I am now attempting on my own to write for you about myself, as myself. I guarantee I will not be as interesting, introspective or have the ability to offer insights into anything related to your life. But it’s going to be all me, all the time.

I hope you enjoy.