So, all this week since I returned from PEI I've been frozen to the bone in my dorm room. I thought it was faulty heating. I thought it was because I foolishly left my window open one 'nice' afternoon. I thought it was because I am still wearing summer clothes and pretending it is 30 degrees with bright shining sunshine.
All of this may be true. But I feel there is some further connection. There is a deeper meaning.
Here's the story:
Today I was lazy. I had all day to be throughly productive. I was finished classes at 10 Am. I was however quite busy up until 4:30. All of a sudden my energy level fell, and I had no motivation to do anything. I stuck myself at my computer and essentially did nothing. Not even Facebook was amusing. For 3 hours I felt paralyzed. The only downside to this paralysis is that there was a heavily present cloud of numbness. It felt like a toe-dipping into the deepest state of loneliness.
Chatted with Teresa on FbCh. Hovered and became further discontented with the extensive possibilities of the Internet. Decided if I was going to be lazy I might as well.....not be. So I just got up and went to the gym. I think Teresa's motivation helped. She had to leave so she could go to the gym. Simple enough. Why don't I do that too?
So I did. I grabbed my workout clothes and booked 'er to the campus gym. I mainly booked 'er becuase it IS postively frigid after 6 pm here. Once I got there I knew why I was there. To prove to myself that I was not the laziest bugger there and that I needed to being my process of self renewal, all to build a healthy level of self-consciousness.
I listened to music, did a few machines and then (kept gym clothes on) and left. I felt so much better on the walk back, and the air didn't even seem that cold this time around.
A feeling of reassurance and renewed faith in myself and my endurance was what I felt when I walked, feeling the bear of the music and the ground beneath my feet. (I always think I am totally grounded and actually to an extent that it turns egotistical. I'm sorry to anyone whom I offended in the past, and whomever I may offend in the future.)
Anyways, when I rounded the chapel, listening to "Opposite Way" by Leeland, There was such a strong compelling urge to stop that I couldn't move forward; I do believe there was some hand of God in this. (this was not an 'other-worldly' force, but my thought process was stopped, and all I could think of was how I hadn't been to church in over a week, and how I purposely missed vespers this week, and how I wanted nothing to be connected to God again.
I couldn't quite find enough human respect in myself to come to a complete stop, or to sit on the chapel step, or even to enter the open building; however I did manage to pull myself around and pace around the entrance doors. I quickly paused to say a foolish, aloof dedication to get the feeling off my heart, however this wasn't good enough. At this moment I went to take a drink of water and the adjuster thing on top had been closed. It was probably me who was playing with it while walking. However this was a distinct enough sign for me to pick up that I had not properly acnowledged God. This time I stopped.
I removed the earbuds form my ears and I stood. Not for very long, but I stood. I put my body out of action and committed my mind and soul fully. This would not be a swift kiss to the sky, this was a calming of the fury within me. I heard the organ in the church. I saw lights flicker in the chapel ceiling and the stained glass shimmered in Oh! so! many ways.
I believe this trip to the gym was a long time coming, yet it came at the right time, because I was in such a deperate state. Nothing felt comfortable since last week. Missing two opportunities of confession, worship and dedication ruined my week. Luckily I was perceptive of a lovely opportunity to wipe my slate clean.
I discovered this week that my expectations are set far too high. I expect people to approach me with warm hearts and kind greetings at a table in the Meal Hall. I expect the conversation to happen around me, yet I who contributes nothing will be held up in the same respect as them. I expect sympathy and constant attention. I am a conditioned only child.
I expect the cutest guy to discover me as soon as I discover him. I expect my intellect (obviously superb) to grant me everything. I expect the best in myself. I respect the inferior mistakes in others. God, I am a horrible person.
I expected the music I quietly become absorbed in while sitting in my dorm room to project the "real me" to everyone who walks the halls. I now know better. It doesn't matter what music I play, unless I turn it up really loud. No one will respond to the music choices I have because everyone has the same music choices, and my music isn't obscure enough to attract THAT crowd.
I really hope this university adventure continues to be exciting. I hope more though, that it becomes a interpersonal discovery, not a solely personal adventure for four years. I really do love people. I'm just a geek that's all.
-Judi
P.S. I honestly do love You, and I wish I could meet You.
P.P.S. This has been the circles of Judi's mind. Thank you for visiting.
1 comment:
micHun it's hard to adjust to the life away from home, away from high school. The shock of how different from the expecatations of the "college/university" life compared to reality is quite disturbing. We were raised certian ways, with certian expecations, you don't find your true self until you've found your place. Your experiences away from the barriers in which we were raised bring about your true self....you aren't horrible, you are learning! Remember that hun!
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