I kissed the hell out of a man in Times Square last spring.
We hadn’t seen each other in years but a serendipitous encounter moved me to call him up and invite myself to the East coast for a weekend. I had no idea if he was seeing someone or how he felt about me. I just knew I wanted and needed to see him. So I did.
Can I tell you something about this experience?
It unzipped me.
Because overnight I became a girl who would fly 2,800 miles to see a past crush and kiss the hell out of him, in a pretty dress and high heels, on the corner of a crowded street.
Life constantly blows us kisses and gives us chances to experience monstrous beauty. We’re just often too busy or stressed to notice. My greatest fear is not ending up alone. It’s not that I’ll never land my dream job. My greatest fear is that I’ll look in the mirror someday and realize I became a lifeless, timid version of the person I intended to be.
So if you feel like life is giving you a sign… Go. Just go. Don’t over-think it. Don’t ask for everyone’s opinion. I’ll drive you to the airpor and water your plants while you’re gone. Just go.
Do something for you. Do something that will unzip you and let more light into your life.
It’ll be soul-smashingly liberating. I promise.
image reblogged via weheartit
#1 by emjayandthem on January 11, 2013 - 3:58 am
It takes a tremendous amount of moxie to trust your instincts; but I also think it a lot more fear not to
MJ
#2 by Jaclyn Rae on January 11, 2013 - 6:43 pm
I love that you just used the word “moxie.” Oh MJ, you’re the best!
#3 by countingducks on January 11, 2013 - 4:08 am
Good for you. I hope the story continues and has a happy ending. I have been impetuos on a number of occasions. Sometimes it has led to a brilliant series of events, and sometimes to disaster. Yours sounds like one from the cheerier end of the spectrum. As for ending up as a timid version of the person you wanted to be. That is not going to happen. Your involvement with and appetite for life, even when tinged with fear, will get you where you want to go.
#4 by Jaclyn Rae on January 11, 2013 - 6:46 pm
Oh, trust me… I’ve got stories on both ends of the spectrum too! I guess we need both
Thank you for your kind words!
#5 by 1 Story A Week on January 11, 2013 - 4:52 am
I love your words. I really do. They never cease to make me smile or think or want to be brave. You show how truly beautiful a flower can be when it has roots buried deep in love and wisdom. Can we be friends?
#6 by Jaclyn Rae on January 11, 2013 - 6:49 pm
Yes, of course! I love making new friends – especially super kind, ridiculously talented writer friends, like yourself. Shoot me an email or something? jaclynrae01@gmail.com
#7 by Kathy on January 11, 2013 - 7:42 am
Love this. There is one person I’d love to see again, walk to up and wrap my arms around. It won’t happen. I am married. He is married. But my love for him, the friendship and support he gave me for so many years, will always be remembered.
#8 by Jaclyn Rae on January 11, 2013 - 6:50 pm
Isn’t it crazy how love stays with you? Your honesty is beautiful. Thank you.
#9 by Matthew on January 14, 2013 - 8:00 am
Brilliant!
I did something like that a few years back. I had a sort of long distance thing going with this girl. One week I could tell something was wrong, even in her texts. So that Friday, after work, I jumped in my car and drove the 300-some miles; where her jaw then hit the floor when she got home from work to see me sitting on her door step.
#10 by Jaclyn Rae on January 15, 2013 - 4:55 pm
Aw, Matthew! I love that story. Thank you so much for sharing it.
#11 by Jaclyn Rae on January 15, 2013 - 4:55 pm
Aw, Matthew! I love that story. Thank you so much for sharing it.
#12 by alwayzevolve on January 28, 2013 - 1:48 pm
The awesome thing is that you are not letting your fear of being alone keep you alone. You are living life through the fear and that’s something to be commended. Some people let fear stop them dead in their tracks; you are creating the tracks
#13 by Heather on February 22, 2013 - 9:32 pm
OH man, oh man, oh man. You have no idea. Just none. Absolutely NO idea. NO IDEA. I’m literally freaking out in my room, and it is absolutely insane. Boy do we ever need to talk!!
Ha ha ha! It just keeps getting more amaaaaazing. Oh the feels, THE FEEELS.