Small Talk

I wish it was more acceptable to be blunt in modern society. As someone who deals with mild social anxiety I wish the expectation and pressure of small talk was less prominent. I wish when someone asked how my day was, they actually wanted to know. They weren't looking for a generic happy answer. I could say "I'm having a horrible day." And if they didn't want the emotional weight of my true answer, that didn't have to ask. I feel our society could benefit greatly from that.

 

 There seems to be a stigma around the word "blunt" that tinges it with negativity. But being blunt doesn't have to be rude or condescending, it can be helpful and compassionate. Bluntness is often closely related to openness and honesty, and sometimes its hard to be open without being blunt. I for one, would prefer people not to ask how I'm doing unless they really want to know. So that I don't have to answer a pointless question with a pointless answer. Just to appease a social expectation.

 

It's not that there is no value in greetings or small talk, just the overabundance and pressure of it. I do see the value of greetings between family, friends, and coworkers. However I don't see the value of the social pressure to chat with the cashier at the grocery store, or even the pressure to greet every coworker you encounter. To me, a smile and nod do the job just fine. For many this may seem ridiculous and even rude. But for others, simple social interactions are exhausting. And the pressure to make unnecessary conversation just adds to the drain. Maybe we should be a little more conscious and conservative with the exchanges we have with other people. And give a little more thought before we speak.

Thoughts, Love, and Stories down bellow,

Enigma

Midnight

 

 

 

To me midnight is a separate dimension. It is a place of peace and thought, coating everything around it in a blanket of calm. It slows the world down and never rushes you; midnight always has plenty of time. Yet somehow it is also buzzing with energy and potential. I am always most struck by the urge to create when the day is closing.

Sometimes though, midnight can be brutal. It can be a time where you're forced to face yourself. When you've been holding down the pain for too long and it wont be silenced any longer. But other times it is the sweet whisper of wanting to take a walk in the stillness, or settling into a good book. It is the feeling of solitude, but also of content. Like your the last person alive, or the only one who knows a special secret.

Midnight has a magical quality to it. Whether you're in bed and you know its late but you have to finish the chapter, or you just cant stop watching the stars. I think it is a time and sensation that is under appreciated, and sometimes completely missed.

Thoughts, Love, and Stories down bellow,

Enigma

Consideration

Its frustrating how little people think about how their actions will affect others. People go about there daily lives ignorant and unaware as to how there actions trigger ripple affects in those around them.  Whether its being overly loud and boisterous, or making an unnecessary rude comment to an acquaintance, many people we encounter on a daily basis are oblivious.

 Our culture encourages and insinuates many of these self absorbed mentalities, however that doesn't take the blame off of individuals, myself included. I often do many things that irritate others yet continue to do so even though I am aware of the effect. I believe everyone has a hypocritical side, its just a matter of becoming aware and managing it. Even little things such as blasting music while others are reading, or repeatedly interrupting someone who is speaking, these small things can make someone fell unvalued and disrespected.

 It may seem irrelevant or small, but just as a simple act of kindness can make someones day, or inspire them to keep going, so too can a harsh word discourage or take the energy out of their day. I think its important to be aware of how we interact with those around us. As a society we've become so oblivious to the pain or discomfort of others that's its considered normal to ignore. And we are so focused on ourselves that we don't stop to consider that others are struggling too.

 Its all seems to come back down to the golden rule "Treat others the way you want to be treated." Now that being said its important to take into consideration not every personality will want to be treated the same. Some don't mind playful teasing, while others are highly sensitive to it. Empathy is key. Imagine how a particular person's personality would react to the situation or action, not just your own. Becoming more self aware is a major key in helping to lower the amount of human struggle in the world. While the past of human history by no means sheds a bright light on a proper way to treat fellow humans,  there are times I wish we could bring back some of the chivalry and manners that that were expected in that past.

Thoughts, Love, and Stories,

Enigma

ECHO LAKE, Echo Lake, echo lake...

Although I am definitely a home body, and I love the feeling of security that it brings, I also have a fluttering urge to travel and explore. I get a thrill in my stomach watching videos or reading books of the incredible adventures of others. And although so far my adventures have been small and short lived, I treasure them all the same.


Back in May my family and I were at Attitash Mountain Village. Its a quaint little ski resort set in Bartlett New Hampshire. Being May we didn't do any skiing, however there are plenty of other fun ventures hanging around the area. Not to mention the facilities of the resort, including an indoor pool, hot tubs, and bike trails. It's a perfect get away before the bustle of summer.

I've been spending a week there every May since I was born, so for me its a  second home.We usually do fun little trips to places in the area, and stop at all the tourist shops. This year we had our sights set on Echo Lake. We took advantage of the rare beautiful New Hampshire weather and set out for a picnic and a bike ride.

Echo Lake and its surrounding State Park are located at 68 Echo Lake Road, in Conway New Hampshire. It has a little bit of everything, whether you're a seasoned nature enthusiast, or just  looking for a scenic picnic spot. The admission is cheap and they offer space for a wide variety of outdoor activities such as bike trails, canoeing on the lake, and hiking.


For us, we brought a lunch and camped out in front of a beautiful slate mountain to eat our food. The foliage reflected off of the water giving it a mythical glow. Everything around us was breathtaking. The birds chatting softly in the trees, and the fish causing ripples along the water.

A Beautiful Mountain Overlooking Echo Lake

 

The Glowing Waters of Echo Lake

 

 

Afterward, we took to the bike trails.

And this is where we got lost. We had the trails mapped out on paper, but none of the physical trails were labelled. So if you're directionally challenged like me, you may have trouble. We finally found a trail, which turned out to be a hiking trail made entirely of tree roots. I was hoping for a gentle ride with good picture stops, this was not it. After hauling it through the trail we found ourselves on a walking path, which was flat, smooth, and everything we were looking for in a bike trail.
Panting, we cut our ride short and hightailed it back to the parking lot.


Overall, it was a fun interesting experience which I would recommend to those who like pretty views, or exerting adventures. For anyone looking to participate in Echo Lake's nature trails, remember to leave with all the stuff that you enter with, and pick up any litter you find along the way. Keeping the park clean allows others to enjoy it and keeps the ecosystem healthy.

Thoughts, Love, and Stories welcome down bellow,
Enigma