Author: J.Lynn24

I will trust and not be afraid

~ J.Lynn24 ~ Leave a comment

img_4026-newIn my previous post, I left you at a ledge with a decision to make: Would you stay content in the darkness or would you move toward the light?

That ledge is daunting. You have no idea how far the drop is or what you might find below — if you survive the fall. To jump would mean losing control. It would be a leap of faith — belief without logical proof that there is more than the darkness you’ve been in, that purpose can be found.

You jump.

Your heart pounds violently, and your stomach flops as you fall. You’re terrified and utterly helpless. You have no idea what will happen to you.

You continue to fall, until, suddenly, you’re submerged in cold water. Water rushes into your lungs and you try to keep your head above water. You tread water, but the water is deep and you quickly get tired. You try to swim, but you don’t know which direction to go. You yell out for help.

Then, you hear a voice say, “Here, take my hand.” You reach your arm out to grasp the outstretched hand. The person is in a small boat that has a lantern attached to the helm. The lantern’s light emits a warm glow that contrasts with the icy water engulfing you. The person hoists you into the boat and wraps a warm, dry blanket around you.

You don’t know who the person is. You don’t know where the person is going. But the person has helped you.

The person turns to look at you and asks you a question…

… and before you answer, I want you to remember that Princess Jasmine wouldn’t have discovered a whole new world if she hadn’t first decided to answer the same question:do-you-trust-me

Do you trust me?

An exercise in faith

~ J.Lynn24 ~ 1 Comment

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Imagine this:

You’re in a space with no light, immersed in complete darkness.

You stretch your arms out in front of you, seeking something — anything — for your fingers to touch and recognize. You move one foot cautiously forward, making sure there is solid ground underneath for you to step on.

With this carefulness, you walk around blindly, relying on your senses to perceive what is safe and what is not.

As your fingers and feet are exploring, you catch your breath. Your front foot has nowhere to go. The ground has disappeared in front of you. Realizing you are at a ledge, you take a step backward and return to the ground you know is safe.

You sit there. You lose all sense of direction. There is nothing but you and the stifling darkness. You begin to think you’ll never escape.

Suddenly, your eyes are jolted by a flicker of light.

It is small and distant, yet it radiates energy and purpose in the still darkness.

The ledge looms between you and the faraway light.

Now what do you do?

Do you stay in the darkness?

Or do you walk toward the light?

Star Wars, a novel idea and anagrams

~ J.Lynn24 ~ Leave a comment

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I’m pretty excited, people. Not just because Christmas is coming, or because the new Star Wars movie releases in a matter of weeks (although that is, of course, extremely exciting… there are so many theories about who Rey is related to, and some think Jyn from Rogue One could be her mom… hmmm… maybe we’ll find out… sorry, geekiness over… for now).

Back to the original reason for my excitement. I have an idea for a novel that I actually really love. I mean, I’ve dabbled in various plot ideas before, yet have never really committed to one particular story. But now? I’ve been consistently writing, researching and pondering about my plot and the characters. I want to know more about the characters I’m meeting, where they’re going and what they’re doing… but I’m the one who’s creating them. The suspense is killing me. (Does that make me the orchestrator of my own demise?)

Interestingly enough, the idea stemmed from my actual job. I cover a specific area of technology, constantly reading, writing, editing and researching technological content. I find it interesting… and apparently so did my subconscious. One day, my protagonist just showed up, running for her life. Let me tell you, that was intriguing.

I have more plot than that, don’t worry. But I don’t really want to reveal too much yet. Partly because I still don’t know where exactly the story is going, and partly because I would be way too intimidated. But I’m excited about it. Things keep popping up, and I think, “Wow, that would work so well with the plot.” Or, “So that’s how this could happen.” 

Also, the plot sometimes takes a turn into the world of SciFi. I’ve never envisioned myself writing SciFi. I don’t have anything against it — you need only look at the first paragraph of this post to recognize that. But I never thought it would emerge in my writing. And while what I have so far is not full-fledged SciFi or anything, it does have a sprinkling of it.

But that’s all I’m saying about it at this point. Maybe I’ll eventually post snippets of it here… we’ll see. But for now, I’ll give you another tidbit of my writing. I was reading poetry by Anne Bradstreet yesterday, in which she created some anagrams — where you rearrange letters in words to create different words. This is what her work inspired:

 Finer hens jingle.

I know, I know. Riveting. I bet you can’t wait for a story about fine hens jingling, right?

Thoughts on coffee. Yes, coffee.

~ J.Lynn24 ~ 2 Comments

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There are a lot of important things to realize throughout a person’s lifetime. Realizations like you can’t always please everyone, or communication is important in any relationship, or the simple fact that you need water to survive. I recently realized a startling fact about my own life: I have never made a pot of coffee before. Ever.

I love coffee. My dad first introduced black coffee to me when I was in second grade, and although I didn’t become a regular coffee consumer then (probably for the best — who knows how much shorter I would be), I grew up with an immense appreciation for the taste of black coffee.

Life passed by, and I dabbled in coffee drinking. Some coffee here, some coffee there, some coffee while I sat in a chair. Some coffee in class, some coffee at work, some coffee so I wouldn’t go berserk. Eventually and inevitably, coffee and I became quite close. It’s not like I depend on coffee or even drink it excessively, but I certainly look forward to it in the morning.

My workplace provides free coffee from both a standard coffee maker and a Keurig machine (what a beautiful, beautiful thing). I tend to go for the Keurig, due to the before-stated fact and topic of this post that I have never brewed a pot of coffee. You can be guaranteed that I would not try this whole process out for the first time at my work — I can easily imagine the number of things that could, and most likely would, go wrong.

So, I don’t have to brew the coffee at work. But, what if — horror of horrors — the Keurig machine broke, or the company ran out of K-Cups, or (hyperbolic situation alert) a gun was held to my head, and the only way the gun-wielder would let me live was if I could successfully make a pot of coffee? **music from Psycho shower scene plays** Would I be coffee-less? Would I die because of my inability to make a pot of coffee? Both are tragic thoughts.

I think I would be able to fake it ’til I make it. I’d like to think I’m a somewhat intelligent person, with enough common sense to be able to figure it out. But hey, with my life being threatened, I might not be able to. I mean, I’ve seen my parents, best friend, and Lorelai from Gilmore Girls make pots of coffee. But could I do it?

In case anybody else is in the same situation as I am (hopefully not the hyperbolic life-threatening situation), here’s a helpful YouTube video, posted by Levi Justin — what a life saver. The video is appropriately titled “How to make a pot of coffee.”

Good news: After watching this video, I realized I would have been able to make a pot of coffee. However, part of me feels like I am not officially an adult until I actually do it, so I should get on that. But this realization about my life makes me wonder: What else should I know?

Random side note: “Conglomerate” is an extremely fun word to say.

“Though changed, no doubt, from what I was when first I came among these hills…”

~ J.Lynn24 ~ Leave a comment

–William Wordsworth

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Yeah, yeah, I know. I’m awful at this whole keeping-the-blog-up-to-date thing. But I might as well post something now, while I’m thinking of it.

Here’s a blurb from my previous post on change:
“I have been experiencing a lot of change in my life recently — moving out, becoming independent, more responsibilities at work and life in general, my impending senior year of college, thoughts about where I’m going to end up in the future — and I have grown to realize that I actually like change.”

In an ironic way, you could say that I’m in a very similar situation this very day (uncannily almost exactly a year after my last post). Here I am, facing another life-changing time in my life. I graduated from college, and in a couple of weeks, I’ll be moving into my very own apartment (so very independent). I started a new job in the field that I wanted (I even get some spiffy business cards). Suffice it to say, I am very much encountering the realities of “adulting.” But here I am, still enjoying the changes that I have been through, and looking forward to the changes I will be going through.

But that wasn’t the main reason why I wanted to write a post today… Did I mention I got to travel to Europe this summer? For three weeks, I got to explore the Czech Republic, Austria and Germany, with a very good friend. And it was absolutely amazing and beautiful and eye-opening and so, so cool.

While I took hundreds and hundreds of pictures throughout the trip, I decided along the way that I wanted to take portraits of locals in each town/city we visited. Thankfully, when I wanted to back out (because I had no knowledge of the language and would probably seem like a bumbling idiot), my friend told me to just do it. She taught me the Czech phrase I would need, and the portraits began (I eventually realized that I tended to gravitate toward intriguing old men… that’s not too weird, right?)

Vienna, Austria
Salzburg, Austria
These palace soldiers weren’t supposed to smile. And he didn’t — Prague, Czech Republic
Prague, Czech Republic
I mean, he was sitting at a cafe outside, sipping wine… I couldn’t not take his portrait — Cesky Krumlov, Czech Republic
So sweet and loved to talk — Cesky Krumlov, Czech Republic
The whole gang — Cesky Krumlov, Czech Republic
Vienna, Austria
Salzburg, Austria
While obviously not a portrait of a person, this Dachau monument represents the many people who suffered and died there — Dachau, Germany
He wanted his portrait taken of him on the ground; so here it is — Cesky Krumlov, Czech Republic
Chilling in the palace gardens — Vienna, Austria
Yes, I know her eyes are closed… ugh… but she was a classic — Cesky Krumlov, Czech Republic
Prague, Czech Republic
Vienna, Austria
The first portrait, Peter — Cesky Krumlov, Czech Republic

Like I said before, I have so many pictures from this trip. And these are obviously not the most professional or masterful portraits ever. But, to me, these portraits will always be special. Because they were random encounters with real people living individual stories, during a once-in-a-lifetime trip. Some of them may have a hard life; some of them may have a simple life; and some of them may have a happy life. But I think I was drawn to these people because, unconsciously, I wanted to capture the wisdom they’ve earned, or their quiet enjoyment of life, or their continuing pursuit of living a full and free life.

And, in honor of those whose lives were cut short, I want to be sure that I look forward to the life I am blessed to live and the changes that come my way.

Change

~ J.Lynn24 ~ Leave a comment

Change

I realized today that I have been absolutely awful at keeping up with this whole blog thing. So to all of my avid fans and followers (I can dream, right?), I extend my humble apology. But my deficiency has been for a good reason (as opposed to laziness or lethargy… or the fact that I may or may not have forgotten about it). Nope, it’s mostly thanks to change. Tell me more, you ask. Certainly.

I have been experiencing a lot of change in my life recently — moving out, becoming independent, more responsibilities at work and life in general, my impending senior year of college, thoughts about where I’m going to end up in the future — and I have grown to realize that I actually like change. Change is so often feared, which I definitely understand. “Making or becoming different” is in the definition of the word and that sounds pretty daunting. I doubt most people like to think that they, or their lives, need improvement.

But then, as a co-worker and I were brainstorming about ways to change/move things around at work, I had an epiphanic moment (that might be a bit dramatic, but it’s just such a cool word). It dawned on me that change means something. It means that something is happening in your life, allowing the chance for growth and the possibility for a better life. Maybe it’s something small and seemingly insignificant, like changing from Glad trash bags to Hefty trash bags. Or maybe it’s huge and life-changing, like moving away from home. But when that trash bag doesn’t rip open anymore (I am in no way promoting or belittling a particular brand of trash bags) or you meet your best friend/soul mate/long-lost twin/[insert here] in your new hometown, that change doesn’t seem as scary or horrible.

So often, it’s hard to look past those decisions looming over you and see the countless possibilities that come after. But they are out there. And while you may differ in opinion, I believe that those chances are offered by God. We don’t have to remain stagnant; we can grow. Instead of staying in a rut (even if it is a smooth, well-paved rut), maybe you can choose to accept that opportunity as means to better yourself.

And that’s what I think is pretty cool. With every change that we experience, we have the opportunity to accept it and to actively upgrade ourselves and our lives.

And now for a teaching moment:

Think about money. The change that you get back from the store doesn’t really seem like much. Maybe you’ll throw that dime away, or lose it, or give it as a tip. Or maybe, you can choose to put it in a jar, along with the other nine dimes that you kept. Lookie there, a whole dollar. Now you can go to Cumbie’s and buy any size of coffee that you want. Or you can just keep on saving those dimes in a jar and once that jar is full, put that money toward your student loans… Every little bit counts, right? So you get my point. If you choose to see that change as significant, it will be. Maybe it just takes some time.

P.S. If you ever find me complaining about impending changes in my life, feel free to call me out and remind me about this blog post.

Just to see them smile…

~ J.Lynn24 ~ Leave a comment

Smirking Baby

Have you ever stopped to consider just how ridiculous we must look to little kids sometimes? I know I personally take my face contortions to another level in my attempts to make a baby smile, laugh, or just keep looking at me with those piercing baby eyes. I’ll make faces, blow up my cheeks, wiggle my eyebrows, crinkle my nose, show my teeth in a crazy smile, or simply smirk at them. And when that little munchkin smiles back, giggles at my silliness, or keeps looking at me with interest (or more probably confusion), I always feel a great sense of accomplishment. I love their unadulterated expressions and the fact that they don’t hide their joy.

Maybe I love it because I know that those babies aren’t judging me — they perceive somebody exuding joy and they, in turn, reciprocate that joy. And while it’s not exactly like they can choose to ignore the person smiling crazily at them as their mom holds them while in the grocery store line, it seems like they always choose to see the good in the person engaging with them. They don’t know if you’ve been having a miserable day, week, or year. They don’t know your life, accomplishments, or failures. But they do know that you’re smiling at them, and they (hopefully) acknowledge that. You smile, they smile. There is a beauty to their innocent joy and interaction with people and something so intriguing and contagious about those happy, smiling faces. Once that baby starts smiling back at you, it’s almost impossible to turn away and stop smiling at them.

So I guess the main point of this post is to say that, every now and then, a crazy smile is a great way to spread joy… You never know who could use a dose of it.

P.S. I dare you to Google Image Search “smiling baby faces,” or watch this video of babies laughing, and not smile. I couldn’t do it.

You Talkin’ to Me?

~ J.Lynn24 ~ Leave a comment

I’m not averse to conversing with strangers. I was probably more timid before I took a journalism class appropriately dubbed “Talking to Strangers.” But since that class, I’ve experienced more ease while going up to a random person and asking for a high-five or asking them what they think about the weather (in response to dares from my friend). So if somebody were to ask me a question or start a conversation with me, who am I to object?

But on to my real point. I was walking to class one day and another student was walking in my direction, talking to herself. I’m not one to judge… I’ve done it before (at times, I’m convinced my thoughts/conversations are of the same caliber as Gollum/Smeagol conversations). A few milliseconds passed and then I thought maybe she was talking to me. I didn’t know her, but I was ready to acknowledge her if she said something else. Then I realized she was having a full-blown conversation, proceeded to see the white earbuds, and it all made sense.

Phone conversations via earphones.

I don’t think it’s rude or weird or annoying. But man, it messes with me when I’m passing somebody and they’re talking out loud, seemingly to me, then to themselves, then to somebody who could be miles away, but whose sound waves are amazingly flowing into those tiny white earbuds.

And while I’m sure the intent of the person conversing via earbuds is not to dupe me, they’re doing a fantastic job at it. So much so that I’m becoming convinced that earbud phone conversations are going to be detrimental to my sanity. Well, that’s a bit extreme. But they probably will make a fool of me.

One of these days, I’m probably going to think that somebody is talking to me. I’ll get all excited, maybe smile, wave awkwardly, and start to say something back. Then I’ll realize that, no, they were not talking to me, and I’ll have to act like my wave was an attempt to swat at a fly in the air and that my conversation was also with somebody on the phone. But then the other person will see that I actually don’t have earbuds in, perceive that I thus cannot be talking on the phone, and will probably conclude that I’m just a tad bit weird. And isn’t that the truth.

The Little Things

~ J.Lynn24 ~ 1 Comment

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Pleasant surprises are always so… pleasant.

It never ceases to amaze me how sometimes the smallest things can make my day. Like when your favorite song comes on the radio (sounds good, don’t it?). Or when the entire sky is filled with stunning colors or huge billowy clouds. Like no traffic on your way back from work, or when you find out that you’re actually doing something well, even when you were convinced you weren’t. Or like opening the freezer door and finding the best flavor of ice cream in there (Green Monster Mint, anyone?). Maybe it’s seeing the price for gas go up the morning after you filled up your tank, or seeing the first signs of spring in the green grass and the budding trees, after months and months and months of snow. Or it could be randomly finding money in your pockets… but that rarely ever happens to me, so I probably shouldn’t use it as an example.

But you get my point, and you probably got it a while ago.

In case you didn’t, what I guess I’m trying to say is this: I know how much I love these kind of surprises, so what can I do to give somebody else a pleasant surprise? I mean, it’s not like I’m going to become a radio DJ, solely for the purpose of playing your favorite song. And I can’t exactly make the traffic go away (although I have always thought it was so cool in The Italian Job how they managed to hack into the traffic control center and change the lights). And it might be a bit sketchy if I put a penny (or even a nickel) in your pocket. But maybe I can make somebody laugh, or send a smile in somebody’s direction, or compliment somebody’s outfit, or pay for the next car’s toll. And maybe, just maybe, I can help make some person’s day a little bit more pleasant.

P.S. In case you’re wondering, I have no idea how frequently I’ll be posting here. It will probably greatly depend on my level of inspiration… or procrastination.

Are earthworms vital for the world’s existence?

~ J.Lynn24 ~ 2 Comments

Are earthworms vital for the world’s existence? This was a thought that popped into my head while walking to class one morning. It was raining, and the sidewalks were covered with puddles and rain-soaked earthworms. Some of these worms were still trudging their way to their earthy underground dwelling places, while others were far less fortunate, squished and severed by the feet of college students attempting to get out of the rain.

So there I was, attempting to avoid stepping on the seemingly endless number of worms on the sidewalk, and I wondered about the important question stated above. I began thinking about how I should totally write down my thought process about these worms, but that didn’t seem exactly like a paper-worthy story. Or really an anything-worthy story, I guess. But, a blog? Hey, that could work. A blog solely for the purpose of babbling on about random things… Sounds great. So here we are. Well, hopefully it’s “we” and not just me. But if it is just me, I’m sure I’ll still have a grand time.

Anyhoo, let’s learn about earthworms. Did you know that there’s an Earthworm Society of Britain? If not, don’t worry. I didn’t either. But now we both know. And it’s pretty awesome.

According to their site, “Earthworms play an important role in breaking down dead organic matter in a process known as decomposition… Decomposition releases nutrients locked up in dead plants and animals and makes them available for use by living plants. Earthworms do this by eating organic matter and breaking it down into smaller pieces allowing bacteria and fungi to feed on it and release the nutrients.”

The University of Illinois also had some pretty cool things to say about worms on one of their pages, comparing them to “free farm help.” They also mentioned how worms are great fishing bait, but that seems kind of anti-save-the-earthworms-by-not-stepping-on-them, so I’ll just gloss over that part.

Basically, earthworms are awesome, because they help plants grow. And while I’m certainly not going to start a rally for saving the earthworms, just remember that while you trek to class or work or wherever it is you’re going, some other trekkers (perhaps a bit more segmented and slimy) are trying to get to their destination as well.

And so, what better way could I begin my trek on my official blog than by talking about worms?