Cafe Musings

Yesterday, Saturday October 10, 2009, I spent 11-hours photographing a wedding. Starting at the hair salon with the bride-to-be for her hair and makeup session, her maid of honor and one bridesmaid, back to the hotel to get dressed, and following the dressed party, dashing across a busy six-lane street to the hall where the ceremony and reception were to take place (no limo needed). There, I hooked up with my partner-in-photography and we proceeded to record the day's events. The ceremony, the traditional pictures, cocktail and reception candids, speeches and toasts, garter toss, bouquet toss, dancing toddlers, adult tears of joy, laughter and silliness -- 90% of which I spent standing, leaning, walking, running or kneeling.

It was a very successful day of photography. As I loaded up my car I knew that I wasn't going to do JACK-SQUAT the following day -- today!

After my personal time this morning to pray, meditate and thank God for guiding through the maze of the day before, I uploaded the 480+ images (I'll get my partner's 360+ images later this week), archived them onto a DVD, cleaned out my 'fridge (only one plastic container of food had decayed beyond recognition -- I'm getting better), did 2 loads of laundry (THAT'S where that shirt was...!), showered, put my "face" on and bounced to the nail salon for near-torturous, acrylic fingernail "fill ins" and HOT wax, eyebrow hair ripping! The price for upkeep...

Later today, I was sitting in my favorite D.C. dig, Busboys and Poets Cafe. Dining on a scrumcious late brunch of broiled catfish layered on top of collard greens and a cornmeal pancake along with a lemon iced tea, I had to remind myself that it was OK for me to be there. Just because. No justification other than a beautiful fall day. Period.

I have this annoying sense that if I'm not in the midst of DOING each and everyday, I'm being lazy. That if I am not striving toward a goal with a sense of urgency, I'll end up 75-years old as a greeter at Wal-Mart. To a certain degree, I believe that is true. I have desires to work my plan for an abundant future but desires are like navels -- most people have them (I once knew a young woman who really did NOT have a navel!). It takes dedication, focus, faith and work to reach your goals!

Not today and I needed to relax and be OK with that. So I eat my catfish, collards and cornmeal pancake, and I open up my O Magazine. What do I see in very large purple and red letters on the page before me -- "How To Become The Person You Were Meant To Be."

I order a cup of coffee and proceed to take a quiz "Who Am I Meant To Be?" by Anne Dranitsaris, PhD. Dr. Dranitsaris writes that the quiz will help me discover my "striving style" which she defines as modes of thought and behavior that direct us to seek satisfaction in different ways.

My striving styles is Style #4: Striving to Be Spontaneous.

"Action-oriented, curious, outgoing, and often technically gifted (I remember that I took my grandparent's mantel clock apart as a kid and I get giddy when I talk about camera lens f/stops!). You live for new experiences. You are drawn to risk-taking and aren't afraid to fail." Word?

The Style pretty much nails me. What further gets my attention is written under "What to Watch Out For":

"When you can't satisfy your thirst for variety and excitement, you may see yourself as trapped, which can lead to impulsive and self-destructive behavior -- drinking, drugs, breaking off relationships, ditching financial responsibilities."

D'oh!

"Life will have meaning for you as long as you feel stimulated...You'll be happiest if you change jobs every so often and travel extensively. Movement is what keeps you going."

In all fairness, I didn't take time to finish reading the complete article as I am sure there is more to just knowing my Style. I will. It really doesn't tell me anything I don't already know -- but I'm talking about doing, not knowing, right?