October 7, 2008

About Being Shiny, Are You Listening?

ME Liz Strauss wrote this at 6:00 am

Ever been shiny, golden, glittery — the top of the social media set? Ever had a day go almost perfectly? Ever felt like the sun was shining just for you? Bet it’s happened at least one time. It’s usually something like this . . .

Every conversation is just the right amounts of smart and witty. Every word communicates and moves to action in a nice way. Everyone seems so appealing. Caffeine and chocolate aren’t necessary, but they’re available. Cooperation is the weather all day.

Ideas appear without reaching, like poetry in motion.

Everything anyone touches turns golden. People behave in the most extraordinarily generous fashion. Even that guy you dislike looks to be doing things right.

It’s a symphony. Hmmm. You check that you’ve not fallen asleep laughing.

Life is a breeze, piece of cake, easy as pie. Wishes are horses and beggars are riding.

Except, of course, for the traffic or the slow Internet connection. But who cares about those? Really.

It seems only right to savor a day like that.
Actually, it seems only right to savor every day. I mean really.

Imagine kicking back with the ones who fit this description . . .

old_bears


. . . our understanding of each other
           had reached that sweet depth
where two people
     communicate more often in silence than in words;
         an affectionate quietness replaces the tensions,
  the unrelaxed chatter and chasing about
  that produce a friendship’s more showy,
       more, in the surface sense,
               dramatic moments.
–Truman Capote, Breakfast at Tiffany’s

. . . the ones who listen to what we’re not saying.

We don’t need to be shiny.
It’s the dull old bears that we hold onto.
Are you listening?

–ME “Liz” Strauss
Work with Liz!!

Image: sxc.hu

Get your best voice in the conversation. Buy my eBook.


Filed under Motivation/Inspiration, Successful Blog |



C'mon. Let's talk!

20 Comments to “About Being Shiny, Are You Listening?”

  1. October 7th, 2008 at 7:10 am
    Vicky H said

    I love this post! Now I have a visual of all my good friends as cute, fluffy, well worn teddy bears, which is kind of in style, they call it shabby sheik.

    I love the shabbi-sheikness of my friends because they have wisdom. The wisdom of those who have experienced life, who have lived, who have grown.

    Ah, teddy bears… You each make me smile just looking at you.

    Having a berry good day.

  2. October 7th, 2008 at 7:10 am
    Terry Starbucker said

    Amen, my friend - when I read that Capote quote I thought of all the great friendships I have because of this medium, and because of you. We all don’t talk very often, but there’s much affectionate quietness. Thanks Liz, as always, for being able to put feelings into such meaningful words.

    Best always,
    Terry

  3. October 7th, 2008 at 7:20 am
    Kym Huynh said

    Of course Lizzy! Every day is like this, but only because I have such amazingly good lookin’ people like yourselves around me all the time!

    B-E-A-YOUTIFUL inside and out!!

  4. October 7th, 2008 at 7:40 am
    Karen Putz / DeafMom said

    Smiling as I think of the teddy bears of the internet that I’m grateful to know.

  5. October 7th, 2008 at 8:14 am
    Jenn Givler said

    What a moving post! Especially because I’ve experienced those days… it’s when my mind-chatter is the quietest and I’m really tuned in to the present.

    Ok, gotta run - I feel another Shiny day coming on ;)

  6. October 7th, 2008 at 8:39 am
    Trish | eMOM said

    Ever been shiny, golden, glittery — the top of the social media set? Ever had a day go almost perfectly? Ever felt like the sun was shining just for you?

    Yes! And then Monday comes along…

  7. October 7th, 2008 at 10:19 am
    Avital said

    I do have days which follows this blissful description. But not today :)

  8. October 7th, 2008 at 11:27 am
    Juggling Frogs said

    If anyone has expertise on this, it’s you, Liz! Your whole blog sparkles and shines every day!

  9. October 7th, 2008 at 12:15 pm
    Todd Smith said

    I love what you’re saying, Liz. Simplicity sometimes outshines everything!

  10. October 7th, 2008 at 1:57 pm
    ME Liz Strauss said

    Hi Everyone!
    I was at the most amazing meeting this morning. The folks there were brilliant in different way each one. Not an ego in the room. It was a collaboration of conversation. I think something special will be happening.

    Wish I could have here too. Sounds like some shining . . . :)

  11. October 7th, 2008 at 6:22 pm
    Teresa Morrow said

    I enjoy these “shiny” days but I also respect (even when it is hard) those not so shiny. When I am not having those great days, I remember even the smallest blessings that I have in my life such as my loving family and friends. Like you mention, those great “tried and true” teddy bears that you can rely on –to me those are my family, friends and faith.

    Another thought provoking post Liz!

    Sincerely,

    Teresa Morrow

  12. October 7th, 2008 at 11:25 pm
    Ed Borasky said

    awwww … teddy bears …

  13. October 8th, 2008 at 1:37 am
    Amy Derby said

    Liz, only you would quote Breakfast at Tiffany’s. :-)

    I love it.

    Today was NOT a shiny day for me. This was an everything-that-can-break-will-break day. I’m not even dull — not the good kind anyway. I’m feeling kinda pointy. ;-)

    There was some cheesy-ish book (but yes, I read it) that said something along the lines of “Be grateful when you’re feeling good and graceful when you’re feeling bad.” It’s easy to forget to be grateful but harder still to remember to be graceful. I’m not graceful. At all. When I dance, I break things. Like toes, and sometimes a lamp.

    Sometimes the only answer (for me) is to put myself down for a nap. So now I shall. Maybe I’ll see some of those lizstars everyone’s been talking about. :-)

  14. October 8th, 2008 at 5:45 am
    ME Liz Strauss said

    Hi Teresa!
    The way you approach your work and your life, I’m guessing that you find more shiny days than the average guy. It’s nice to know that you take the rest in stride as part of what’s worth living. We need every kind of experience to understand what living is. :)

  15. October 8th, 2008 at 5:46 am
    ME Liz Strauss said

    Yeah, Ed,
    Like old t-shirts we live in and great friends we spent time with — teddy bears that we’ve had for years.

  16. October 8th, 2008 at 5:49 am
    ME Liz Strauss said

    Ah Amy,
    Sometimes I dance gracefully, sometimes I fall down not so gracefully . . . either way I figure if I can still eat and no blood is spurting. I’m probably okay.

    Those breaky days don’t last longer than any other days. :)

  17. October 8th, 2008 at 6:09 am
    Juggling Frogs said

    Amy,

    On days like those (I have my share) I try to be grateful for the chance to take a nap!

    All the best,
    CLKL

  18. October 8th, 2008 at 6:12 am
    ME Liz Strauss said

    Naps are gifts from heaven. :)

  19. October 8th, 2008 at 8:33 am
    Craig S. Kiessling said

    Ever seen the Firefly show? ;)

  20. October 8th, 2008 at 9:55 am
    Amy Derby said

    Liz — I checked for blood and hunger. Looks like we’re all good. ;-)

    Carolyn — LOVE your frog juggling cartoon. That’s the best thing ever. :-)

Name (required)

Email (required)

Website

C'mon Let's Talk!