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OK, I can do this one and it'll be more interesting than the 9 things. I can never think of things about myself to talk about when someone asks me to...and I'm a little bit horrified to be all 'old lady' and talk about my digestion and my health as 'interesting things about me'...cuz, damn, I find such talk boring, in general, when it comes from other folks. Unless they have an interesting illness, such as actual brain parasites (instead of imaginary, like mine) or an illness in common with mine, cuz then we can compare notes. oh, god, I AM turning into an old lady. Gah. Cuh Rap.
OK, so 8 QUALITIES of AWESOMENESS
1) Confidence - I love to meet people who know who they are and aren't ashamed to be that person, they know who they are, they know what they can and can't do, and they aren't afraid to say NO or YES when appropriate. I can fake this from time to time, given the right social milieu, quantity of caffeine, or alcohol, but I don't have it deep down to my roots.
2) Ambition - I love to meet people who have goals in life, who know what they want, want to be tne best at it (or at least very, very good), and are working their hardest to make it happen. People like that generally don't have time for silly things like friends and fun, or me, but I like to watch them go. I hover between envying such single minded pursuits and being sorta glad that I drift along and let fun and friends happen. I'd love to have something I felt strongly enough about doing that I just HAD to do it, thought about it all the time, wanted it, was working on the next step to get me there...but I don't get that often, or for very long.
3) Passion - along with Ambition, not just the drive to accomplish and excel, but the love of doing it. I think some folks may have Passion without Ambition. I don't generally have much of either, unless someone pokes me with a stick in one of my tender areas. For example, I'm passionately against the abuse of animals, small humans, and people you've made everlasting vows of love to. But generally it doesn't come up in conversation or everyday life, so it's not a daily thing.
4) Humility - Being willing to admit you don't know something, being willing to listen, being willing to defer to the expertise of others, even when you've got some experience in whatever topic yourself. Being willing to admit you might be wrong.
5) Honesty - goes with humility, but is also related to letting people know what you really think and feel. Which is often very difficult because you know that someone doesn't really want to deal with your thoughts and feelings, but for the sake of the relationship, you have to put it out there whether they like it or not, whether it's comfortable or not. Being able to call people you love and respect out on their shit, hopefully in a way that leads to more sharing, trust, and honesty, rather than in a judgemental, hateful, or shutting-down kind of way.
6) Sense of Adventure - I love to meet people who just do what they want to do and go where they want to go, often without maps or plans or backup plans. People who can just chuck any part of their life that isn't working and go do something else, even if they have no way of knowing or even guessing if it's going to be any better. The guy who can sit in the Captain's Chair while his ship is in the middle of vast, uncharted space and say "Thataway,"
7) Lovingkindness - the ability to connect to others, the ability to find likeable things in anyone you meet (self included), the ability to just take it easy and to not let anything be such a big deal. To just relax, accept others as they are, and let relationships find their depth, and let them go gently and kindly if that's what ends up happening.
8) Patience - Trying and failing 1000 times, and getting up again and again to finally succeeding on the 1001st try. Asking for what you want 1000 times and not getting it, but asking again and finally finding a way to be understood that 1001st time. Reading that chapter again and again and again, asking questions and thinking and reading and FINALLY getting what the author is trying to say. Fumbling at getting that hem straight, or getting those two beads to join up, but just sticking with it until it finally happens. Letting people make mistakes and mess up and hurt you and themselves, but still be there to cheer them on when they finally make it. Being open and believing in the idea that good things come to those who wait. Believing things are worth the wait.
OK, so 8 QUALITIES of AWESOMENESS
1) Confidence - I love to meet people who know who they are and aren't ashamed to be that person, they know who they are, they know what they can and can't do, and they aren't afraid to say NO or YES when appropriate. I can fake this from time to time, given the right social milieu, quantity of caffeine, or alcohol, but I don't have it deep down to my roots.
2) Ambition - I love to meet people who have goals in life, who know what they want, want to be tne best at it (or at least very, very good), and are working their hardest to make it happen. People like that generally don't have time for silly things like friends and fun, or me, but I like to watch them go. I hover between envying such single minded pursuits and being sorta glad that I drift along and let fun and friends happen. I'd love to have something I felt strongly enough about doing that I just HAD to do it, thought about it all the time, wanted it, was working on the next step to get me there...but I don't get that often, or for very long.
3) Passion - along with Ambition, not just the drive to accomplish and excel, but the love of doing it. I think some folks may have Passion without Ambition. I don't generally have much of either, unless someone pokes me with a stick in one of my tender areas. For example, I'm passionately against the abuse of animals, small humans, and people you've made everlasting vows of love to. But generally it doesn't come up in conversation or everyday life, so it's not a daily thing.
4) Humility - Being willing to admit you don't know something, being willing to listen, being willing to defer to the expertise of others, even when you've got some experience in whatever topic yourself. Being willing to admit you might be wrong.
5) Honesty - goes with humility, but is also related to letting people know what you really think and feel. Which is often very difficult because you know that someone doesn't really want to deal with your thoughts and feelings, but for the sake of the relationship, you have to put it out there whether they like it or not, whether it's comfortable or not. Being able to call people you love and respect out on their shit, hopefully in a way that leads to more sharing, trust, and honesty, rather than in a judgemental, hateful, or shutting-down kind of way.
6) Sense of Adventure - I love to meet people who just do what they want to do and go where they want to go, often without maps or plans or backup plans. People who can just chuck any part of their life that isn't working and go do something else, even if they have no way of knowing or even guessing if it's going to be any better. The guy who can sit in the Captain's Chair while his ship is in the middle of vast, uncharted space and say "Thataway,"
7) Lovingkindness - the ability to connect to others, the ability to find likeable things in anyone you meet (self included), the ability to just take it easy and to not let anything be such a big deal. To just relax, accept others as they are, and let relationships find their depth, and let them go gently and kindly if that's what ends up happening.
8) Patience - Trying and failing 1000 times, and getting up again and again to finally succeeding on the 1001st try. Asking for what you want 1000 times and not getting it, but asking again and finally finding a way to be understood that 1001st time. Reading that chapter again and again and again, asking questions and thinking and reading and FINALLY getting what the author is trying to say. Fumbling at getting that hem straight, or getting those two beads to join up, but just sticking with it until it finally happens. Letting people make mistakes and mess up and hurt you and themselves, but still be there to cheer them on when they finally make it. Being open and believing in the idea that good things come to those who wait. Believing things are worth the wait.
