brown and black bat opening mouth
Social Media,  Thinking,  Visiting Authors & Artists

5 Things About Me – TMI Tuesday

While employed by others, I spent a lot of years maintaining strict boundaries and everyone’s privacy. In many of my work environs, it was not a good idea to become part of the story, and any information shared outside of the office qualified as TMI. So, as a highly introverted advocate-turned-author, one of the things I struggle with is how to connect online without sharing too much about myself. The idea of “TMI Tuesday” felt right, so, here’s my first attempt. (I hope the questions don’t get more difficult later on!)

[bctt tweet=”As an introverted advocate-turned-author, I struggle with how to connect online without sharing too much.” username=”AndreaPatten”]

1. Given the choice of anyone in the world, whom would you want as a dinner guest?

I have been lucky enough to have dinner with some pretty extraordinary people over the years — some famous and some just plain fascinating. Right now, my dinner guest of choice would be my youngest stepson. Having him here would mean his passport woes are behind him and he’s getting to spend time with the American half of his family. (And, yes, we’d appreciate all the good vibes you can send in our direction, please.)

2. What would constitute a “perfect” day for you?

You mean aside from waking up on the right side of the dirt???

So far today is pretty close to perfect. I got up early, caught up with some friends on social media, and found this blog idea, all while drinking slurping not spilling savoring my first cup of coffee. There’s a gentle rain outside. I’ve got the windows open, the birds are singing their heads off, and the garden is full of fresh new growth. There are no outside commitments on my calendar and no critical end-of-the-day deadlines. I have two exciting, active projects in the works and lots of ideas about what I’ll be able to get to add to them today. And I’m only minutes away from My Favorite Husband returning from the gym. He almost always brings me a latte. (It’s the best of both worlds — like getting room service without having to leave home.)

[bctt tweet=”It’s the best of both worlds — like getting room service without having to leave home.” username=”AndreaPatten”]

I also enjoy perfect days exploring new places… or new looks at old, familiar places. I’ve got a few of those on the calendar.

3. How much do you like your personality?
(pick just one)

a. A lot.
b. A little.
c. It needs work.
d. I am annoying sometimes.
e. I am difficult, and people have told me so.

I’m going to have to go with “c” — my personality needs work. While there are parts of me that are pretty OK, there are some parts that could be best described as “a hot mess.” I try not to injure others with those parts, to be at least a little bit better every day, and not beat myself too mercilessly when I screw up. I’m consoled by the fact that my dogs love me — or at least pretend until they get fed. Progress, not perfection, right?

quote on fiery background "If I'm not the problem, there is no solution."

4. If you were able to live to the age of 90 and retain either the mind or body of a 30-year-old for the last 60 years of your life, which would you want?

Neither. My mind is a whole lot better than it was at 30. My body? Eh… I’d look even more ridiculous. Seriously? Everybody’s got challenges. Whether physical or mental, I hope to keep learning from mine.

[bctt tweet=”If you could wake up tomorrow having gained any ability, what would it be?” username=”AndreaPatten”]

5. If you could wake up tomorrow having gained any ability, what would it be?

Wow ~ so many things. To be kinder. To lose fat and build muscle. To run long distances or return to downhill skiing without requiring another knee surgery. To write something that sells millions of copies….

Maybe the best new ability I could hope for is to keep up with the ideas I have about trying things!

picture of Mary Oliver quote "instruction for living a life:
How about helping me out and making this more of a two-way street by answering one of these questions in a “comment”? (I really DO want to know.)

Let’s connect on social media.

15 Comments

  • May

    Great answers – really love it that you see so much “grace” in your current day. Mine was ok but too busy to do TMI – which I love to do

  • Lisa Hutchison

    I can relate to feeling uncomfortable sharing online. In my previous work for others, I couldn’t share too much of myself at all. It took me years to come out of my shell. I share more now although I do it in the service of helping others. Thanks for your fun post Andrea!

  • Kelley

    Great blog Andrea! I loved getting to know you more and so appreciate the challenge about how much to share personally. As a counselor I was trained not to share much personally because the focus was on the client. Sharing my experiences in my writing has been liberating and healing for sure. My answer to who to have for dinner is difficult to narrow down, but this week I would say Michael Franti the amazing musician, peace activist and humanitarian who I have been following for over 23 years. He is so inspiring to me and has blessed my life with his music and commitment to love, compassion, and social justice and he’d be a blast to spend time getting to know personally.

    • Andrea

      Thanks, Kelley. Yes… It’s not easy to leave those “therapeutic roots” behind, is it? And now I want to know more about Michael Franti. Thanks.

  • Lore Raymond

    Appreciating your transparency and going public in this fun and extroverted way, Andrea. I’m an off-the- charts-extrovert though as I age, I seek more quiet and alone time. 1) I empathize with you wanting to be with your stepson. It took me many attempts and heart aches to get my adopted Honduran daughter here. The privilege of being an American citizen became a new item on my gratitude lists! I’d love to have dinner with Jesus AND Mary Magdalene.

  • Jennifer B Duffey

    These are some pretty tough questions. I think the answers would vary for me depending on the day. Too many things I want to do and accomplish to narrow things down to just one each! Thanks for sharing. I might try this next week.

  • Sheila Callaham

    I agree with Jennifer, those are some tough questions. While I’ve never met, nor certainly dined, with anyone famous, I’d like to meet the Dalai Lama. Or Ellen. Or Oprah. Or Richard Branson. Or…. 🙂

  • barbparcellswritingalife

    Wh at a wonderful blog post! I love this idea! I think I would love to have dinner with former President Barack Obama. I think he has a wonderful mind and a beautiful soul. I ‘d also like to wake up and have the ability to fly like an eagle, to soar above the trees (this from a woman who suffered from a fear of heights and flying for most of her life until she grabbed the bull by the horns and made herself fly across the country to LA).

Leave a Reply

Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked *