Saturday 1 March 2008

Lessons in Spontaneity






inhibition n feeling of fear of embarrass - ment that stops one from behaving naturally.

antonym of inhibition: spontaneity

spontaneity n the act of the voluntary and unpremeditated; occurs through natural process without outside influence.

Moving back in with my parents, who are in their “golden” stage of life (over 70 years old!), has taught me a few lessons in letting go of inhibitions. I always thought of myself as a spontaneous person until I reached my 30’s. Something happened. The spark that was always ignited in my soul vanished without warning. Life does that sometimes. My strong Christian faith experienced a crisis of belief during this period further plunging that spark into total darkness. Would that spark ever be awakened yet again?


Astoundingly, as I neared my 40’s, that spark began to be stirred up and was ready to fan the flames of spontaneity again! My relationship with God was rekindled! Life is good! I LOVE being 40! No opportunity wasted! I am determined to not let any fear stop me from “behaving naturally,” stop me from being spontaneous! Although I’m not sure I am at the same stage as my parents when it comes to letting go of inhibitions….



Am I ready to?

** eat meals at the table in only my bra and knickers (pl n “woman’s or girl’s undergarment covering the lower trunk and having legs or leg holes” ) Well, only if it is a Daisyfresh bra! hehehe - that was for you my fellow "road rage sista's"!



** tell a group of teenage girls waiting for the Go Train in the middle of winter that they should have a warmer jacket on and be wearing mitts



** tell that same group of teenage girls that they are beautiful and are carrying lovely handbags



** flirt with a fellow “senior” at Tim Horton’s while my husband/wife is sitting beside me



** have no issues with noisy flatulence in public places, especially restaurants



**have no problem with speaking my mind when unsatisfied with customer service in department stores and/or restaurants


** have no problem telling friends their choice of fashion is wrong

However, I was ready to…
** travel solo to Paris for a vacation - I even climbed up all 722 steps of the Eiffel Tower!


** skinny dip in the daylight


** go to the movies solo


** eat at restaurants solo


** go to the theatre solo


** stalk celebrities at the Toronto International Film Festival (TIFF)


** ask for a picture with one of my favourite actors I literally ran into at a restaurant and continue talking with him for more than 1 minute



** be more bold in sharing my faith



** listen to God when He prompted me to share something extremely personal at church



** go to the Spice Girls concert





** willing to partake in quirky skits at my church

And...

FINAL - LY, an example of total surrender to the liberation of inhibition – an example of true spontaneity….

I was willing to strip down to my bra and knickers, because I did not have my bathing suit, so I could join my friend in the pool and hot tub at our favourite hotel! I didn’t want to miss out on the fun. For a brief moment, when two employees of the hotel walked into the pool area, I had a wee bit of a panic, but calmly swam to a corner of the pool and waited until they left! Yes, you heard correctly! I am turning into my mother!!!:) Ahhhh!!! (Sorry, no picture of this one!)

Karyne’s homecoming was long overdue! As a friend so eloquently commented on this photo,


"Now that is the girl I know and love....this makes me laugh!"


There’s no stopping me now- although I may want to add a filter!!:)

I love to be spontaneous. It is truly who I am at the core of my being!












76 comments:

carolyn said...

What a great post!! Makes me want to rush out and do something spontaneous, too...(insert crickets chirping here)...except i can't think of anything. Oh well, i've got about 4 months until my big 4-0, so i'm sure i'll think of something!

Runner Girl said...

I've just decided, you are my new best friend! What happens to us when we hit 30 that sends us to unfamiliar places in our personalities and our faith? You simply can not know how relieved I am to discover that I am not the only one with rock solid faith and inner strenght that was profoundly shaken for reasons unbeknownst to me. BUT...at age 39, something inside has broken free that reminds me of that girl in her 20's. What's that all about? I can sense the self-help title now...losing yourself in your 30's and finding her again at 40!!! Love ya, girl...even though I don't even know you!!!

Tiffany said...

This post make me feel joyous, exuberant and incredibly happy. You go girl. And tell that mom of your to do the same.

Apparently, it's in your genetic code to live it up...go for it!

Lisa Petrarca said...

I want my spontaneity back again! I'm forty one and seem to have lost the carefree spirit that made me feel alive. Thanks for this post...I hope that I can have just a little bit of what you have found!

THANKS FOR THE INSPIRATION, I needed it today!

Congrats on being the "special" SITS girl today!!

Buttons and Dots Photography said...

Sometimes my spontaneity embarrasses my kids or my fiance'. But that just makes it more fun for me! I am a fun loving, always laughing 36 year old woman that loves to make everyday mundane chores more fun!

Colleen said...

What a great post! Happy SITS Day!

ugagirl30 said...

That is something that I have always lacked. I struggle with wanting to be more spontaneous, with allowing myself to have and be more fun.

Good for you, girl! Cuz I think my filter is on too tight!!

Heather said...

I too love to be spontaneous, and try to teach by example with my kiddo, too - spur of the moment adventures, hopping on the seesaw at the playground, that sort of thing...

I haven't gotten spontaneous enough for issue-free, noisy, public flatulence yet (at least on purpose) but my five year old thinks that it is a great and hilarious thing...... :D

Cheers!

Claremont First Ward said...

Loved this. And HE looks so um......appealing?

Lori said...

I love that picture of your parents. Look how deep into his eyes she is.

Chandra said...

Love it. I have only eaten at a restaurant by myself once, but it was indeed liberating! Good good GOOD for you.

Heather said...

I have never been this spontaneous. I live for planning, and list-making, and planning. I so admire you. Life is short; why worry so much about what others are thinking? This is such an inspiring post! Thanks for sharing. (And congrats on your sauciness, SITSta!)

Creative Junkie said...

Good for you!

I totally believe in spontaneity ... provided I can plan for it in advance so I'm fully prepared.

-Bridget said...

Most people live their entire lives and never learn this lesson to the extent you have. You go girl!

Lula! said...

BRILLIANT!!!! I loved this one, Karyne...I want to be you when I grow up.

Jen said...

What a great post. You are awesome. Being spontaneous is one of the things that I miss most. It kinda goes out the window when kids are involved.

Michelle said...

Self-discovery. A wonderful thing! My inhibitions are much stronger than yours....

Caroline said...

I'm so glad that you are finding more of Karyne and loving every minute of it. Your adventures look like so much fun.

Party of 5 said...

Hey SITSa! How awesome are you? That's spectacular. Looks like you have had a ton of fun!

Sherri said...

Happy SITS day!!!

Unknown said...

You go girl!!! I want my girls to have that same sense of spontaneity and grabbing life by the horns.

Brooke said...

Okay, now I am inspired to do something spontaneous. Problem is I have no idea what. P.S. Your favorite actor -- I love him to...was disappointed when his sitcom was canceled.

Kelly Deneen Raymond said...

Way to go! I hope I am willing to strip down at a hotel pool to go swimming at 40. Maybe the 30s are causing me to be too cautious! ;)

EmBee said...

I too find the older I get the less uninhibited I am. It's so freeing... I don't care if strangers see me spontaneously break into a dance or making silly faces as I sing along with my radio... Now my kids on the other hand, that's a completely different story!
Rock on Girlfriend!

Melanie Dickens said...

Excellent post. Why are we all so burdened by our 30's. Time to break free. I love it.

Live.Love.Eat said...

WOW. This post made me happy for you, happy that life is what it is. And your parents are cute!!!!!!

Jennifer P. said...

As a suddenly single gal myself, I find that little spark of spontaneity I once had returning as well. I don't necessarily want to draw attention to myself, but neither do I want to sit around worrying so much what others might think---too much passes you by that way! Thanks for the great stories and great photos. Was that Robert Downy, Jr. btw?

May you have many more adventures my SITSta!

Karen said...

I love this post. You are so cool.

Anonymous said...

This post brought tears to my eyes! What a great lesson! A lesson that would be good for anyone! Oddly enough, being with older parents sounds a lot like being with a child...you know being in their underwear at the table, openly stating their opinions and most especially the public flatulence!

By the way, I love Tom Cavanagh, too!

Anonymous said...

That's wonderful that you could rediscover that freedom. It's really enviable. Congrats.

Gina said...

GOOD FOR YOU!!!!!
That is so awesome!!!!
And I love that you are a Christian!!!
I just turned 37 and I am hoping that spontaneity reveals itself in my life soon, too!! (I'll pass on the public flatuations, however- that can wait until my 70's and it's only because I can't hold 'em and I can't hear 'em!)
This was a fun post to read- and very inspiring!!
"You go girl!" and ENJOY this life of yours'!!!!!
(and HOW BRAVE- a trip to Paris by yourself!!!!!). My baby sister has traveled the world by herself and she is only 25. She's even been to Vietnam for 2 weeks by herself!!! I SOOO want to be her!!! I'm the big sister- so I always imagine all the worst case scenarios. She's just does it and doesn't think about it.
-sigh-

Alison said...

You are inspirational in your independence and spontaneity! You go, girl!

Crazy Momma said...

Great post!

Unknown said...

Congrats on being the featured SITSta. And especially on finding and reclaiming yourself. I don't know why we get to that stage but I lived through it too.

Tracy P. said...

Look how much fun you're having! I love that you are enjoying your journey of faith in new and bolder ways, at the center of the fun. And the 40's are great with me too. We still have a long way to go!

CindyDianne said...

Excellent determination of how you want to live! Kudos!

sassy stephanie said...

You are fun!

EmmaP said...

now that I am single again (after 14 1/2 years of a toxic relationship) i am feeling that same way - saucy & bossy. I am not waiting for life to happen TO me any more. I am in control. But I know what you mean about the filter. hahaha.

You go girl!!!

Mary said...

Good for you!We could all use a little (or a lot) of that!

Kelly said...

You go girl!!

Ronnica said...

Wow, I'm 25 and definitely not spontaneous according to your list!

Nik said...

ROCK ON! Dang! Just imagine what the world would be like if we all looked at it like that!

AWESOME post...thanks for sharing.

The Peacock Pearl said...

you go girl!

Laura said...

Here's to your continued spontaneity! You totally rock.

Adiel | Rose Gold Lining said...

Wow, you're braver than I am. I have never done the skinny dipping or swimming in my underwear before. Guess I'm just not that brave!

wendy said...

Good for you! Very inspiring. :)

Blog said...

Being a single mom to a 6 yr old - I have lost the ability to be spontaneous. However you inspire me........ one day I will be able to be that away agian. Thankfully I have done many of these thing BC (before child). There are benefits to have a child late in life. But I do miss it.

j said...

Hey I LIKE this chick who is so spontaneous. I would enjoy being friends wih her, bit I would probably spend a lot of time being the wall flower looking on at her crazy antics! And enjoying every minute of it. You keep LIVING your fearless Godly life!!!

Jen

My word verification is godhve.

A message in that? HAH!

katylinvw said...

YAY! good for you! :) i would love to be that uninhibited :)

♥ Becky ♥ said...

What an awesome post. I wonder when that day will come for me. To learn to love myself enough to have fun with just myself and stop relying on others to fulfill my happiness.
You are my HERO!!!!
And I love the picture of Tom Cavanagh, I love him!!!!

Jess NBP said...

That's wonderful... I'm still in my early twenty's and not very spontaneous. Although I should be with two boys, but I'm not sure what to be spontaneous about with them.

Mama Dawg said...

Bravo! Bravo!!!!

In the truest sense of the words..."You Go Girl".

Anonymous said...

I can't believe you climbed all those steps! (and i don't mean *JUST* the Eiffel Tower ones...)
Way to go!

Peggy said...

You are my kind of lady! Go, Girl!

Anonymous said...

Just found you today on SITS... I admire you for being able to do all of these things! Congratulations on coming back to yourself. :)

Summer said...

That's it. From now on I'm eating dinner in my undies. Never mind that everyone else will have no appetite. ;)

Lisa@BlessedwithGrace said...

That is just great. The words of a self confident women who can feel safe in her own skin. Way to go. There is no way I could go to Paris by myself. You are SO BRAVE! Wow. You rock, SITSta!

Anonymous said...

You are making me fear my thirtieth birthday, which is only four months away . . . seriously, though, I work with kids and I think they keep me pretty spontaneous. Translation: they make me insane! LOL

Tena said...

What a great post, you seem like a fun gal!!!

Showing love from SITS

Dana said...

Spontaneity is both exciting and frightening at times! I'm glad to hear you're having fun with it!

Angie's Spot said...

Fabulous post! Vive le sponteneity!

thotlady said...

Wonderful reading. It sounds like you live life to the fullest...good for you.

Casey's trio said...

I loved your list of spontaneous accomplishments...And a trip to Paris(solo)--WOW! It sounds like there is no stopping you now:)

Julie H said...

What a great post!

Stephanie said...

I don't think I've ever been spontaneous. Well, maybe a couple times as a teenager, but I've a very un-spontaneous kind of person. Maybe I should open up, branch out, and do something spontaneous. I was going to list an example of something crazy-spontaneous to try, but couldn't think of anything. Hmm.

Laurel said...

oh go girl! Great post! And Go Momma too!

Kaza said...

I'm finding the 40s even better than the 30s so far... but I'm only a year into it!

Melissa Lester said...

Wow, how amazing that you were spontaneous enough to go to Paris like that! I'm sure your amazing memories made you glad to pushed aside any reservations and went for it. Good for you!

Wep said...

You are braver than me ;) I had trouble trying on stuff in Victoria's Secret tonight. Damn lighting.

Belle (from Life of a...) said...

Very inspiring. Going to Paris...AMAZING!

kelly said...

i'm such a such wimp! i love your courage.

Unknown said...

Great post. I'm enjoying the age I am now. i feel as though I've finally sort of grown up...or grown into me !!!

Anonymous said...

COngrats on finding your self!

Judy Schwartz Haley | CoffeeJitters.Net said...

inhibitions are really life limiting

Christine said...

no swimming in bra and knickers for me.

Rhea said...

You go, girl! Way to live life fully. I'm super impressed. Why does it take us so long to get comfortable with ourselves and lose inhibition?!