Things not to fear, on a Sunday morning:
1. Lack of money will destroy my life.
Honestly, that is so unlikely, at this point in my life.
However, there have been times I’ve been fearful of this. In fact, somebody would have provided enough — at those times — for me to survive and go on.
I should have known that, before. I know it now.
2. Geography.
Geography was my least favorite subject, in school. Here’s a story about that: When I was in 6th grade, I was procrastinating studying for a test about European capitals. (Note: I still procrastinate doing things I don’t like.) I tried to learn everything in the recess period before, with a couple of classmates. When I was having trouble remembering the capital of Belgium, somebody suggested this solution, “It’s Brussels, so think of brussels sprouts.” Later, I noticed the teacher and classmates laughing, when they saw what I had written on the test: “The capital of Belgium is Brocolli.”*
Even though I still get disoriented by unfamiliar geography, I love to travel. I’ve been to Brussels, very briefly, and would love to return. Here’s a beautiful photo of Brussels, thanks to Google Images (and Girl’s guide to Brussels):
I could make a list of other places I want to visit, but that would take too long.
Another way geography has scared me? I have avoided geographical locations associated with past pain and suffering. As I described earlier this year, it can help to return to those, when you’re ready. When you choose.
Last week, I chose to stop and linger, taking in a scary location from my long-ago past:
That’s not so bad, now. Nothing to fear, really.
Okay!
Thanks to my 6th grade classmates and teacher, the country of Belgium, places familiar and new, green vegetables everywhere, people who support others in any way, and to you — of course! — for visiting today.
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* A few more thoughts about that:
- I thought it was funny, too.
- I had never seen a brussels sprout, at that point in my life.
- I still misspell “broccoli,” most of the time.
- I have never, ever forgotten the capital of Belgium since.
The Year(s) of Living Non-Judgmentally 
haha broccoli – I love it!
Thanks, Diana!
I like that, and I bet you would have fared a lot better if there had not been any laughing, but a little encouragement.
When my mother was in college (while I was in high school) she was struggling with remembering the painters to painting, and as I have a good association technique I walked her through it with little tricks that made it easy for me, like Serat and his dots, or Degas and his dancers, Monet and his lilies…anyway…she caught on and actually did pretty well in the class.
Like I said, a little encouragement and it goes a long way. 😉
Thank you for the encouragement of this comment. Much appreciated!
My memory is that my teacher, who was very kind, gave me half-credit for that answer.
I loved Geography but hated history. I did however never visit broccoli – I shall check in my atlas…….. love this!
Thank you! I am so glad.
Love. Love. Love. the Broccli story! I’ll never be able to think of Brussels without thinking of you! 🙂
Lovely post.
Thank you, Louise, for this lovely comment.
At leaf you chose a vegetable in the same family with anti-cancer benefits…
I was very smart and ahead of my time.
Wonderful post…really funny about broccoli 🙂
Thanks!
Thank you so much for sharing
Thank you, also, for sharing your compassionate thoughts.
Love brussels sprouts, hate broccoli. Love the post.
Love the comment.
I totally can’t spell brocolli either. Just mispelled it. I also misspell “misspell.” *sigh* So very illiterate over here..
Not “illiterate.” How about this, instead? “I have too many other important things to think about, rather than memorizing non-intuitively-spelled words.”
I appreciate your reading and commenting, as always.
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