(There are a lot more but these are the ones that come to mind! They are not in any particular order.) Asking the right questions by M. Neil Browne
Critical thinking: I read this book in 2017. It forced me to see my assumption and hindsights in having great discussions or contributing to significant dialogues. I also learned about fallacies and how not to be easily swindled with other peoples words. Marital Advise to My Grandson, Joel by Peter Davidson Marriage: This book is partially a memoir with humorous ways to keep a lasting marriage and as the author describes - "how to be a husband your wife won't throw out of the window in the middle of the night." It is engaging and simple. The Total Money Makeover by Dave Ramsey Finance: Dave Ramsey broke down wealth and ownership into simple steps that if you pay attention and take action, it no longer seems unattainable. This book isn't only about finance but mind-set change. The last time I wrote about being “fat” was in 2020, sharing that “It weighs heavy in my mouth like the additional slices of crackers with gently laid cream cheese and strawberry jam I swallow at 2:03 am, after promising that the previous and the previous would be my last piece.”
Fat. This time, it doesn’t weigh heavy in my mouth. It is my mouth – my cheeks and face. When I tug at it, I feel its stubbornness. When I see it in the mirror, I think of the chipmunks. Not in a sad wicked way but in a sarcastic way that says, “if someone told you you’ll look like this and laugh, would you believe it?” Unlike others who can wrap their wholeness or being to their weight or exist in a world that does it for them with judgment and without permission, when I look in the mirror, instead of saying, “I am fat,” I say, “see your fat this or fat that” and pick my body apart like a poem in revision. When I look at my body, I think adjust, breath in, change, damn!, exercise, fat, grown, hide before I think love. In a couple of weeks, I’ll turn XX years old – the age I have permitted some people to drag my introvert ass out to do a scavenger hunt for someone’s son’s mumu button. Until then, I have “single as a pringle” jokes for days and a cheek full of insults for uninvited guests who view my status as a complete paralysis of being (especially as a woman). The thunder that will fire some of you is doing press-up in an Agama lizard’s body at your village.
Following a friend’s advice, I joined a dating app – Hinge, for the past two months. Before I tell you my non-existent romantic escapades, I want to speak face-to-face to friends who recommend dating apps for introverts. First of allll… it is still like being outside with strangers but online. Of course, I have deleted it, not out of success but the annoyance of my experience on the app. The thing is, as an introvert – I am not mad at dating apps the same way I am not mad at outside. However, what irks me is how human beings interact and (mis)behave within my bubble. Being on a dating app doesn’t remove my hatred for people who start chats with single-word conversation killers. You know how someone will start a conversation with “Hi,” and you’ll return with “Hello” 6hrs later, and they’ll return with “It’s nice to connect with you.” And you’ll say, “Likewise.” Then, another 24hrs have passed, and they’ll return with “How are you doing?” and it goes on and on and on… Or people that just start conversations with “Our wife” or “wifey.” Where are the 60 tubers of yam, life goat with lion whiskers, and 5 eagle feathers that must precede your ownership of me, my lord? It is the audacity and covetousness for meeh! Will you go back to the end of the line and join the queue! |