In Search of a Better Metaphor

1. You KNOW it's gonna be a good day when DS plays Gaga, Evanescence, The Script, and the Goo Goo Dolls consecutively.
2. Sleep doesn't always come easy.
3. Have fun with Plato (and play-doh)
4. Breathe

Happy Friday, and happy Friday the 13th! Megan here--we're just changing it up this week.

All right, so I want you to take a moment and think about something for me. Are you, or do you know, someone you would describe as an emotional rock? Got someone in mind? Good, so do I... and I miss them a ton. The term "Emotional Rock" carries with it a specific connotation of someone very anchored and strong, able to withstand any and all instances of adversity, usually while remaining positive about everything. They essentially give the impression of oozing glue everywhere and are able to keep not only themselves, but everyone else together and united. However, there are a lot of aspects of rocks that really kind of make this an odd metaphor. For instance, rocks aren't alive, and while they change to their environment, it's definitely not quickly enough to mimic what is needed in our human experiences. Rocks don't move or adapt, or do anything under their own power. And so that leads me to the following idea.

Let's find a new metaphor. I propose trees, though... "emotional trees" makes me think of weeping willows... No, seriously, think about trees. Trees have the ability to adapt to tons of various circumstances--they influence and are influenced by the environment, they're alive, and it takes a heck of a lot to knock 'em down. People who are described as the equivalent of emotional rocks need to be able to adapt, to roll with the punches, to be swayed. Being able to adapt to conditions around us leads to our survival--the ability to adapt leads to the survival of every living thing, and since rocks aren't alive, they don't have that problem and thus, can't really serve as our best metaphor. Trees, on the other hand, take some level of control over their own lives. Have you ever seen trees grow towards a light or water source? Mmmmhmm, that's what I'm talking about.

Yep, I like the idea of using trees. I mean, it takes a lot to knock them down, they can be damaged, but they also have the ability to heal. They change and improve the environment by preventing erosion, creating oxygen, and they provide shelter for all sorts of creatures. Yep, we should all strive to be emotional trees instead of emotional rocks. Let's be honest, rocks are great, but they just lock up and sit there. Yeah, they can withstand a ton of assault, but so can trees... and we need something a little more complex, metaphorically speaking. (Plus trees have sap which is really... gluey. It helps things stick together right?)

Strength doesn't come always from hunkering down and putting up walls, it comes from adapting to your circumstances, from influencing what's around you and letting it influence you.

Have an excellent day, you emotional tree you. Watch out for those pesky woodpeckers.

-Megan

Watch Your Step

1. Have faith in your ability to recall information.
2. Technology is stressful. It's okay to disconnect.
3. 16 hours of sleep in 3 days = bad outcomes.
4. Trust your feet.

Hey, it's Megan. I won't wish you a happy Wednesday, since it's finals week for us... but I hope you're surviving at least.

So I have been completely disconnected from all social networks ever since Monday morning, courtesy of Nicole changing my passwords per my request. I am connected via email and text messaging and that's pretty much it. :P It's different, but I am enjoying not being so accessible. It's a lot less stress on me, especially with all my thought and effort focused on finals. The only reason I can rationalize being here and typing this is because I got out of a final sooner than I expected to. Oh, and I guess Melissa and I might grab lunch together :) It's okay, I have higher hopes for tomorrow's finals.

I worked at a bowling alley for much of my senior year and the summer before college. It was super icy this morning, and while I was walking on the iced over cobblestones on my way to DS, it just brought me back. I was always horrible at walking on the lanes--there was no real process to it, you just had to teach yourself how to do it without falling. My coworkers told me the only way to really be able to do it well and with a decent amount of speed was to walk confidently and trust in your feet.

Following my usual blog pattern, I think this makes a great metaphor for life. Life isn't always easy or solid, and sometimes it's downright slippery. Finals are tough to navigate, especially when you don't know what to study or for how long... or how much it will impact you. Sometimes everything feels unstable or uncertain, but even though that may be the case, it doesn't mean you'll fall, or fail for that matter. It's okay to trust in your step and trust in your feet, because when you do that, there's less freaking out and compensating. My friend and coworker always told me that we overcompensate when we're on a slippery surface which makes us even more likely to fall.

If you're stressed and freaking out over anything, whether that be an exam, a presentation, a date, or even going home for winter break, it's important to take a deep breath, reset yourself, and walk--all while trusting in your step. Well, I tried to remember what my coworkers said and I didn't slip this morning, so I guess that means I must be doing ok.

Good luck on the rest of the week, be well and stay safe.

-Megan