Monday, May 23, 2005
Do You Ever Feel Itchy?
Don't be scared; it's not that kind of blog post.
"Itchy" is what Mrs. Dash and I call it when we feel restless with something in our lives and usually happens just before something changes. In the past we've felt itchy about jobs and zip codes, churches and cars, how many kids we have - etc.
I've felt itchy for the last little bit - but unable to identify what needed to be scratched. This can put Mrs. Dash in a pretty bad mood and has led to some of our most intent discussions. Not that she resists change ... in fact she is usually ahead of me in that area - but because I tend to be rather nuts in just about every part of my life when I get like this.
At one point in a discussion last night, she suggested that I would be "all freaked out" for a few days until I decide that it's not a big deal and not to be bothered any more. She doesn't understand this ability ... to just "make" everything ok and usually wants to get to the heart of the problem much more than I do.
In her defense, I should clarify that to "make everything ok" involves a healthy dose of denial and the rejection (some might say repression) of a few emotions. With that in mind, she is right to poke at the itchy place - if for no other reason than to help keep it on the radar. I'm pretty sure that is a mixed metaphor - but you get the point.
She is right in that if I didn't have this "ignore the itch and it will go away" or "we'll deal with it if it comes back" approach we would be making drastic life-changing shifts all the time. It is difficult to explain, but I probably will be over it in a few days. I just wondered if anyone else out there in the blog-verse was itching with me?
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7 comments:
I would not have called it an "itchy place." I think the term you are really looking for is restless (maybe?) Anyway, I too get restless, and I am usually our agent of change because you do ignore the "itch" and I don't. I think overall we are finding our way through these moments, as each one is definitively different, better and better. Sometimes with the "all better" approach, sometimes with the "fix it" approach, but we get there.
Denial and rejecting emotions. Why didn't I think of that? Maybe I did and I just didn't notice.
I get restless sometimes, but it isn't typically a harbinger of much change as much as an urge to be more creative. Unless they are the same thing.
I usually find when that feeling comes along...its just the segway into a growth step in my life. Now that I recognize this, I sometimes pushback. Then I agonize a little and wish I would go ahead and push through the growth. Overall, I am learning to go with the flow...and move into the growth period. Occasionally, I even wish for some growth when I am feeling I have hit the plateau. But...LOL...I have learned not to ask God for it! My growth stages seem to come in waves of abundance...and I find myself looking to plant my feet on solid ground! I am quite happy to let God take the lead on this one! :-)
Wow. Ask Roamer if I'm itchy, and she'll tell you how many umpteen times she's had to kick my thumpin' hind leg off my ear. There are two types of itchy for me. The first is probably just like Dash. It is a personal desire to expand the horizon. I think as a couple we deal with it like Mrs. T & Dash. It works out for good. I think its healthy. At the worst, I've heard people call it "gypsy blood" because of the habit of pulling up stakes somewhere and moving on. Were you're grandparents travellers? Mine actually picked cotton as migrant workers (so did Roamers!) The other kind of itchy I get is more universal. I share this with my brother. It is the feeling you get when a storm is coming, but there is no sign of it except for the blaring silence.
Where would you like me to scratch?
Interesting to know we aren't the only family dealing with the itchies from time to time. Dar wants to jump usually and I'm saying, hold on, let's have a plan. He helps me expand my horizons and I suppose I help him make sure he has a lily pad to make a jump to. I like the approach of asking yourself if it is time for personal change or to add some creativity to your life. Sounds like a better approach than chucking over current life for something that's only different not necessarily better.
Exactly roam. You can't move just to move or you'll be let down. But when your move is a part of God's plan for your life, then it's better every time, even when it's not necessarily different.
btw wind I don't know about gypsies...but I wouldn't be surprised. My gpa had the "itch" bug too.
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