I think it’s time…I think it’s time to have THE TALK. Dun dun dun… It’s time to talk about LOVE. As many of you know, I have spent the last year interviewing New Yorkers about their dating, hook-up and love escapades in order to turn them into a web series. People often say to me, “Jamie, you spend hundreds of hours talking to people about their love lives. Is there anything you’ve learned from all of it”? Well, thank you for asking. In fact, there is. Let’s choose one lesson for today. I learned that in every situation, we are given the choice to close ourselves off to another person or to choose to be loving and supportive. Now, does this mean that we have to always smile and nod and act like everything is always peaches and cream??? Come on, that’s so vanilla. However, I challenge all of you (and me of course) to fully listen to the people in your lives, and then to choose how you want to respond.
Fortunately, I had the opportunity to test-drive this newly acquired knowledge a few days ago. I was talking to one of my good friends and he told me that he had been offended by something I said to him. Now, my first instinct was to get defensive and say, “Are you kidding me? You are a sensitive little _________________….” Quick- mad libs time…insert offensive noun here. Instead, however, I thought back to my interviews and I realized that this was a perfect opportunity be loving and supportive. I paused and said, “I’m sorry. You’re right.” After I said that, I realized that he was right and that what I said was actually incredibly offensive! Lesson learned.
I know how hippy-dippy all of this sounds, but hear me out! Throughout my interviews, I have heard countless stories about relationships that don’t work out because people assume things about the other person instead of actually just listening to what they are saying. I don’t want to hate on my own gender, but I hear a lot of women saying phrases like, “ All men suck. They are all the same. There are no good men in this world.” Now, call me crazy, but I don’t think that’s sending the message, “I am a great catch and would love to get to know you.”
Ok, it’s time for a love smackdown…. Throughout my interviews,I have met so many awesome women and men that have a lot of love to give. I am therefore debunking the theory that love does not exist. DONE. Try and put a little more love into everything in your life and see if things start to transform. Put love into your food, the environment you create, the things you dedicate your time to, and of course the people in your life.
Oh, speaking of love, special thanks to my blog model Manny. Oh ladies!!!!!!!!!!! He’s single, very attractive, and can bench press more than…well, whatever, a high number for bench pressing is…I don’t know how these things work. Anyway, If you’re interested, just send me a message through my contact form and I’ll hook it up.
Good luck with our love challenge and please let me know how it goes! Wishing everyone lots of love.
Have a Funky Friday!
At the end of Act II, the actor playing Matthew Shepherd’s mother said, “ Go home, give your kids a hug, and don’t let a day go by without telling them that you love them.” At that moment, I looked around the theater and I saw a lot of crying audience members. I was reminded of what a special community I was visiting. There are a lot of people in the world that are not raised in such a loving and accepting environment. Please forgive me for sounding preachy and hippy-like, but I hope that the GOA students will continue to spread their love so that the people they influence will choose this way of life.
