Saturday, April 10, 2010

Almost there!

Social media, as I've written about quite a lot lately, is an incredible tool to connect with people around the globe.  Occasionally, we get really lucky and connect with someone via social media that happens to be in your own home town.  This very thing happened to me a couple of months ago, with me connecting with a new girlfriend.  We discovered many fun little details and experiences in common and chatted here and there via Facebook for many weeks before we got around to talking on the phone.  Once that occurred, it was that happy spontaneous combustion where both hearts recognize one another and friendship is remembered in a blaze of excitement, common interests and resonating energy.

Fast forward to a recent networking event that was being held at a downtown Knoxville location and we were afforded the opportunity to drive to this event together.  It was during the last few weeks of the truly vicious winter the whole country was dealing with and I have a bad habit of not using a proper winter coat when I really should.  When we left the event late that evening, of course it was dark and the temperature had dropped considerably.  As is common in most downtown areas, the higher buildings create a wind tunnel effect that whips the cold air into a rapier sharp weapon that steals your breath and stiffens your legs to the point that you can barely bend your knees as you hurry along.

That night, this new friendship was solidified by just such a sharp, winter wind.  We were leaving the restaurant we had chosen for dinner after the networking event, and as we walked across Market Square in Knoxville, the wind tore down and slapped into us with enough force to make us both stagger.  The primary objective was to get through the Square and behind some high enough building that might block the wind long enough for us to reach the parking garage.  The photo to the left is of Market Square in the snow.

Me being my southern belle type of self, rather than swearing as viciously as the merciless wind deserved, I was breathlessly uttering my own litany and version of profanity. "Oh my word above!" "Holy conniptions!"  "Sweet merciful petunias!"  My girlfriend was laughing breathlessly at the novel form of swearing, informing me what an absolute rebel I was.  We continued to hurry along, leaving the Square behind, but unfortunately we stepped into an even more brutal wind tunnel effect as we got close to the parking garage.

My girlfriend rushed ahead of me, exclaiming all the way, "Almost there, Dawn!  Almost there!"  This dissolved me into helpless giggles, as we were nowhere near "almost there" by any stretch of the imagination.  Yet she kept declaring this positive statement as she bustled forward, continuing to spark absolute hilarity in her wake.  The wind was tossing her winter scarf over her shoulder to dance and fly up in the air, entertaining me even more.  This resulting laughter had the typical effect of making my knees weak and me even more breathless.  "Almost there, Dawn!" kept trailing behind her, the cheerful words being snatched gleefully by the whipping winds as she outdistanced me, unhampered by helpless laughter as I was. 

In that moment of absolute absurdity, my mind split in two, as it often does, and recognized the sheer power of her statement.  "Almost there!"  Yes, we were approaching the parking garage with varying degrees of success, one of us leading the charge, uttering encouragement and determination, the other straggling behind, giggling and stumbling, yet equally determined and enjoying the journey in a slightly different manner.  It struck me that this moment of silliness and laughter between two girlfriends was a beautiful analogy.  We are all always on the verge of becoming.  Always on the verge of discovering.  Always on the verge of achieving. Always on the  verge of blossoming, lifting our faces to the warm sun.  Always on the verge of breaking through.  Always on the verge of conquering.  Always doing all of the above in our own individual, unique fashion.

Today, several weeks later, our friendship has become so solid that we both have to work at remembering when we didn't know one another.  This is often one of the most precious side benefits of friendship, that the heart realizes and remembers that we have done this many times before, and the love is simply a continuation in this moment, this place, this time.  Now we constantly throw out "almost there!" in relation to practically everything we're discussing or experiencing together, because it is always apropo.  It always applies to every single moment.  And on a purely mundane note, it makes us both laugh.  To me, that is particularly beautiful.

Life is a series of cycles.  Beginnings and endings.  Lessons learned, lessons begun anew.  Experiences achieved, and new dreams explored.  Personally, being in constant pursuit of that next hilltop, that next new vista, that next achievement is what drives me.  It is a personal joy of mine to constantly be growing and changing, learning, discovering and evolving.  The beauty of this process is that "almost there" is the irresistible lure that beckons me forward. 

Sharing this experience with this new, yet old friend is the cherry on top of the whipped cream on top of the sundae.  Even better, this same premise applies to many of the friends I have reconnected with via social media.  Despite the fact that many of them are in far flung geographical locations from my own home, I have a deep inner knowing that I will see many of them face to face.  I have no idea how this will manifest and am not concerned with the actual mechanics of it all; I simply have that inner certainty that it will occur.  And once again, I am able to smile and throw in a cheerful "almost there!" declaration and enjoy how the entertwining threads create more unique fabric between friends of the heart who will eventually lay eyes on one another for the first time. 

That hopeful stage of becoming is constantly changing, adapting and adjusting when necessary, and most importantly, continually inspiring each of us to reach for more.  Simply....more.  That human desire to expand our minds, and more importantly, our hearts and our Spirit. Journeying forward, sometimes together, other times apart, connecting again at seemingly random moments that are actually an intricate orchestration. Experiencing.  Becoming.  On the verge.  Almost there!

20 comments:

  1. LOVE this homage to our friendship! You have such a knack of capturing the spectacular in those little moments that became great memories! Such a blessing to know you and to be your friend! I will now bask in the Leo light of Dawn and will patiently wait till our next meeting.....ALMOST THERE! ;)

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  2. LOL...it was a Danadian-Dawnesian moment!!! And our next meeting is mere days away - bring on the laughter! Glad you enjoyed the post, and that you also enjoy the way that my mind works and views those moments. Much love to you, dear one.

    ~ Dawn

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  3. This was wonderful. It made me think of the women in my life that are always there encouraging me to keep going. Lovely post!

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  4. The power of a positive affermation, In recent times the hours have been long at work and the productivity high, with this has been a declining of moral in the manufacturing floor, as a light harted motivator for myself more than anything I started to tell myself each morning " Thank God It's Friday " every morning and instantly lifted my mood for the day ( It was Friday in my mind ). I started to greet the guys at work each morning when I saw a down tired face with a cheery and bright " Morning ~ Thank God It's Friday " to which they all would laugh at me. But the seed was planted and I got a smile. They now all greet each other the same way every time there is a tired frown. Funny how the mind can make Heven into Hell or Hell into Heven if you let it !

    Thank you for a great Blog, made my day by reading it !

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  5. Marla, friendship is a golden word, and a golden thing, don't you think?! We're all so blessed when we stop to really examine the energy of those connections. I'm so glad you enjoyed the post and that it underscored all the wonderful relationships in your own life. Thank you for visiting!

    Andrew, what a great idea - I loved reading your own experience! My girlfriend's "almost there!" is always so full of cheer and positivity that it never fails to life my heart, make me laugh and instill lightness all around. The day instantly changes with those words. I truly appreciate the new version of the TGIF Movement that you have started at your workplace, and I am sure your co-workers are appreciative as well. I'm happy you stumbled across my blog page, and am thrilled that I made a happy mark on your day! Thank you for the kind words.

    Namaste'!
    Dawn

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  6. It is so wonderful to have those divine moments of encounters with such kindred spirits. I am so happy for you and your new found friend. You are not almost there, you are there with this new friendship. Beautiful written. love, jane

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  7. Janie, so glad to see you back online, as I know you've been through a lot these last several weeks. I agree w/ you - "divine moments with kindred spirits" are to be treasured. You and I have shared quite a few of those, with more to come, because each new moment is always just around the corner and 'almost there!'

    ~ Dawn

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  8. Dawn,
    What a beautiful post. It reminds me of the phrase I have used so many times in our journey, "we'll make it". I love "almost there" though, it says so much. Your posts say so much to so many. Thanks for your inspirational writing!!

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  9. Smirk.... I got the visual... the only thing that could have been better was if your friend were wearing Snoopy slippers to accompany her scarf.

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  10. Judy, that's the best part of friendship - when that private vocabulary is developed! I'm glad this one resonated for you & I appreciate your comment today.

    D.S., I must agree w/ you on that! And I love the 'smirk', as it is so very you. Thanks for dropping by today - I plan to return the favor & visit you back!

    ~ Dawn

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  11. Morning Dawn, I'm finally trying to catch up on more reading this week, it looks like it will be a slower week! (Of course I've said that before =D)

    The journey is all we truly have & even when we reach the top of the next hill there's still always things to do & to learn & grow. Thanks for sharing this wonderful story.

    Hugs,

    Bill

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  12. Hey Bill, thanks for stopping by! Just seeing your name reminds me that I need to catch up on your posts in return; life sure does speed up when you get a backlog of reading, doesn't it! And yes, the journey continues. That's half the fun of it, in my opinion! :)

    ~ Dawn

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  13. Hi Dawn. What a beautiful post! Loved it absolutely. Friends are such a gem in our life. My life revolves around my best friends and I could reconnect with your feelings.Your post made my day.Thanks a lot.Keep writing.
    PS:
    And how come you know Namaste'? It's a hindi word.Anway
    Namaste'! and love. :)

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  14. "Oh my word above!" "Holy conniptions!" "Sweet merciful petunias!" Haha, wow these made me laugh out loud for real. :) It's so wonderful to have friendships like these. They are rare & more valuable than gold! Nothing beats Sisterhood! :)

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  15. Ajay, I am very much drawn to the Eastern teachings and philosophies - I tend to not draw strong lines w/ that and embrace many ways of looking at the world. The word 'namaste'' is a beautiful one to me, and I use it often! I love reading that something I've written has made someone's day, so thank you for visiting, reading, enjoying and commenting! Namaste' and love to you, newly found friend!

    Anahid, glad to give you a chuckle w/ my rebel method of profanity! *L* Everyone laughs at that side of my nature; I know it's very old fashioned, but I just see no reason to utter ugly words. Not saying I don't do it on occasion, but I choose to embrace a more positive approach when I can. Your words, as always, are SO lovely - "these are rare and more valuable than gold"...simply beautiful! I'm thankful to be able to call you Sister also, dear one! :)

    Much love!

    Dawn

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  16. Lovely blog and nice words of encouragement! Received my dose of encouragement today- Almost there, Yes I am!

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  17. Olaoluwatomi, thank you for your nice words in return! Those two words really do apply to literally every moment, every situation don't they?! And they never fail to make me smile. So, I agree w/ you - almost there, yes, you are!

    ~ Dawn

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  18. really wonderfull write up..
    truley encouraging..

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  19. Traveling Rants, thank you! I'm glad you enjoyed it and found it to be uplifting. It always makes me smile to see that other people recognize not only the whimsy of such moments, but also the deeper intent. I also love how both can co-exist in such a happy manner!

    ~ Dawn

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  20. I agree w/ you and I'm glad I decided to write about this memory w/ this friend. I will always have it in my personal memories, but this gave her something to have as well. Sharing it on my blog makes it even more special as it reaches out and touches so many.

    ~ Dawn

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