Once upon a time some neighbors of mine (young men neighbors, by the way) shared with us a diagram of sorts. Not just any diagram-- this one outlines a theory behind dating. This theory is mounted upon our wall of quotes... that's how impressive it was to us. Ever since we were made aware of this guy-perspective of dating, we've been searching as roommates for a counter-diagram, thus highlighting the female-perspective. As time has passed, I've formulated a few key concepts of the diagram, in conspiracy with several other members of the female gender, of course. ;) And tonight, at the IMA banquet of all places, I think I've made a breakthrough.The speaker who addressed us this evening was a wonderful man full of energy and genuine happiness. His words had me attentive the entire time he stood in front of us. He got to a point in his talk where he referred to the activity we all know and love from our childhood called Dot-to-Dots. You remember? Remember how excited you got as a child when you finished a dot-to-dot and finally saw what the picture was?? Best feeling ever, right?
Well, now that we've reminisced our childhood naivety and pure excitement for life, we can go on with the story. As this gentleman explained his analogy of life being like a giant dot-
to-dot, things fell right into place for me... Unlike as we get older and can instantly see what the dot-to-dot has in store for us, life's dot-to-dot is completely a mystery to our eyes until it is complete. Connecting the dots then, becomes more of a challenge. Okay, back to being a kid again, remember when you were just learning to count and the numbers on the dot-to-dot seemingly eluded your view? Remember a parent or sibling or friend pointing out the next number, the next dot? Remember, at times, a helping hand grasping your tiny hand and the crayon propped within and guiding the tip of the accoutrement to the next dot? Remember?
Okay, the dots of our lives can be people, experiences, places, trials, etc... just things that lead us to becoming who we'll eventually be. All things leading to our finished picture. And guess what? Those helpers pointing out the next dot or even gently leading us to that dot can most certainly be people we date. Or people we room with, or parents, or friends, or siblings, or teachers... you get the picture. Best part of what our speaker tonight said? We can be dots in other peoples' dot-to-dots. We can be a part of the process that makes them who they become. Pretty cool, huh?
There are SO many venues of thought sprouting from this idea, but I'll just focus on one for now. Occasionally, we see ourselves becoming dots in someone's dot-to-dot... or one of those helping hands guiding such a person to the next dot. And sometimes we see ourselves as crucial parts of that person's life. When, in all actuality, we are simply edge-dots leading to the ultimate picture of that person's life. Thus, dating is confusing. You can't see the whole picture quite yet, so that dot in your life or the dot you are becoming in someone else's life could be rather insignificant in the entire scheme of things. Or... it may be rather crucial. But we don't know which... which is what makes it confusing.
Point being, and what I got out of it, I want to be a dot in many people's lives. I want to help them accomplish their goals and dreams and become their best self. Whether I become a significant dot or otherwise, at least I've helped them on their way. Also, a huge thanks to all those who have become dots in my life. You, yes you, are helping me on my path of completing my picture. Thank you thank you thank you! I love you all.
