Here's the thing.
I love to rant. And that's exactly what this started out as.
But, I also try very, very hard to balance it by off-setting something I really dislike with something I like lots.
So, here's the rant I started with, but now infused with some good stuff, and a request at the end for you to play too.
I’m an imp. I’ve recently accused a friend of mine of being an imp (and she IS!), but I guess in all fairness, I should toss my hat into the circle of impdom also. But, you know – there are things loads worse than being an imp.
For instance.
There are those people who thrive on negativity. Ugh. Do they even KNOW they’re being negative? Do they have any idea how they suck the life out of everything around them? Or – very scary thought – is that their intent? Ugh. We all know some people like that, right? And sometimes we have to put up with them, but boy howdy – I’m getting pretty good about keeping them at a distance. And you know what – some of them don’t even realize they’re being kept at a distance! Pfft! That ought to show me how important I am, huh?!
Then there are the Drama Experts. God save me from these people who honestly believe their every ache, pain, illness or whatever is THE most extreme and THE worst ever. You have a headache?? Well, pafooey – the Drama Experts’ headache makes yours look like a weeny ache. And please. Do not even bother trying to discuss your broken arm/leg/finger/toe/back or skull with this person – it’s not broken in 46 beezillion places is it?! Well heavens, what’s to discuss?!
Then there are those people who possess not one iota of generosity. Share some good news with them and they “might” grudgingly say “Oh, I’m so proud of you!” in a tone that totally gives them away as being less than completely honest. Or, they manage to totally ignore the subject at all costs. And here’s where being an imp is the most fun ever. Knowing they want to pretend it doesn’t exist, put it right back on the table whenever and as often as possible. (hear the imp go Tee Hee).
The lack of generosity amongst friends is one I don’t get. Some of you may have heard this old saying – “She’d rather her drawers fall down around her ankles than say something nice about somebody.” Lordy – please don’t ever let me be that person. for real.
I’ve asked a lot of people about this recently, just 'cause its been on my mind, and learned that the phenomenon of friends not being able to share in friends' joy is a bit more widespread than we'd like to think. And I find it to be a sad thing.
One theory that some Facebook friends share is that they think those people must see the world as a "zero-sum game," meaning that someone else's success takes away from their potential to succeed. One of these friends says she prefers to think that success and happiness are as limitless as the universe, and that the more we celebrate, the more we have to celebrate. I agree and prefer to think that also – the other is too convoluted for my tired ol' brain to understand.
My friend Vickie has this quote at her Facebook page - "Whether you look for the positive in anything or look for the negative in anything, you will find it..."
I’m happy to say Vickie is one of those special people who most of the time manages to focus on the positive, and that is a lovely thing, indeed.
Another friend I've talked with about this managed to come up with a few quotes (I love quotes) that kinda hits this nail right on the head . . .
"Anyone can sympathize with the sufferings of a friend, but it requires a very fine nature to sympathize with a friend's success."--Oscar Wilde
"Friendship is not possible between two women, one of whom is very well dressed."--Laurie Colwin
" A woman, if she is really your friend, . . . always desires to be proud of you." --- Sir Edward Bulwer-Lytton
and my very favorite of all . . .
"Do not save your loving speeches
For your friends until they are
dead;
Do not write them on their
tombstones,
Speak them rather now instead."
--Anna Cummins
But, you know what.
I don't want to talk about the things I don't like.
I want to talk about some things I like lots. And it just so happens that a couple of the people included in the "Things I Like Lots List" do, in fact, talk about this very thing. This thing I just purely hate. Negativity. And they do it brilliantly! I like it!
I've mentioned here before that there are some blogs out there that I try to read every day. I usually don't get to do that, but I do read them often enough that I'm able to discover true gems pretty often.
I'm going to try to start pulling out one or two every so often to share, and for today's sharing I've chosen two blogs that have been around for a long time.
One is Murderati, and one is The Lipstick Chronicles. It's no surprise that these two have stuck around for such a good while. They're what drew many of us to blogs in the first place. They're elegantly written by astute, bright people who don't mind putting their opinions, along with their feelings, out there for others to embrace. Or reject.
One of the Murderati regulars is Toni McGee Causey. This woman writes what I want to say. Over and over again, this woman writes what I feel. She writes like I would give my left foot to be able to write. She's just dazzling. And her Murderati piece of October 4th - "Positive and Negative Spaces" says worlds. Read it, please. You'll thank me. Betcha.
A member of The Lipstick Chronicles who seems to share some of my pet peeves (and temperament) is Kathy Sweeney. This is a woman I someday hope to meet. Another woman who writes what I want to say. When I read her piece of September 25th - "Time to Weed the Garden (or how to rid yourself of Toxic People)" I just squealed out loud. I wanted to find Kathy Sweeney and give her a hug. So here's another piece I'd like you all to read, please. Again - you'll thank me!
You know - this talking about things you like is fun! So here's another.
Books. Most of you are here because you love books. And you're creative. A lot of you are writers, but a lot of you are creative in totally different areas. What we do know is that creativity spawns creativity. Creativity recognizes creativity. It speaks loudly.
JT Ellison writes about this beautifully at Murderati, and here's another piece, In the Presence of Genius, I recommend. (yep - you'll thank me).
O.K. - so I meandered off my trail of thought there.
Back to what I wanted to share with you before the always brilliant JT Ellison popped into my mind . . .
Books. Don't most of us love being surrounded by books? We do.
There are never enough bookshelves in our homes, right?
Well, here's that love of books reflected in another way, and I just love it.
This is what I'll leave you with.
An image by a painter by the name of Victoria Reichelt who paints bookshelf portraits. 
Tolstoi, oil on canvas, 2006, 50 x 50c
How very cool and lovely is that?
Now.
It's your turn.
Tell me what you love.
OR,
if you're in the mood to rant - tell me what you hate. But. Then you have to off-set it with something you love.
Fair?!
