Scrabble--The Language of Love

Credit: Kia Photography

   
      In 2011, I think my first date will revolve around the game, "Scrabble." I know. When you think romance, you think, "Scrabble." I know I do--especially after seeing the last episode of "Parenthood" on NBC.

     Funny thing, though. I've never played a full game of Scrabble in my life. Therefore, I consider this some sort of New Year's Resolution. I'll keep you updated on my Scrabble accomplishments. I know you'll be waiting with great anticipation.

     With that said, I want to continue to share the beautiful oddities of my life with you, but I also wanted to leave you with insights and wisdom that I've learned from the many people who have influenced my life.
   
     From here on out, at the end of each of my blog posts, I'll feature, what I like to call, "Wisdom's Knocking" an on-going series of wise sayings and/or thoughts inspired by the artists, lovers, pastors, teachers, dance instructors, professors, financial aid advisors, filmmakers, freelance T.V. production folks, businessmen, businesswomen, friends, mamas, grandmas, fathers, grandpas, and the crazy folk you meet randomly on the street or at the DMV.

Wisdom's Knocking...

     Our love is not about the status you bring to me or the places we go. Our love is about the presence of each others' heart, body, mind, spirit, and soul.

E.I.

E.I. includes these types of abilities:

1. "Perceiving emotions – the ability to detect and decipher emotions in faces, pictures, voices, and cultural artifacts—including the ability to identify one's own emotions. Perceiving emotions represents a basic aspect of emotional intelligence, as it makes all other processing of emotional information possible.
2. Using emotions – the ability to harness emotions to facilitate various cognitive activities, such as thinking and problem solving. The emotionally intelligent person can capitalize fully upon his or her changing moods in order to best fit the task at hand.
3. Understanding emotions – the ability to comprehend emotion language and to appreciate complicated relationships among emotions. For example, understanding emotions encompasses the ability to be sensitive to slight variations between emotions, and the ability to recognize and describe how emotions evolve over time.
4. Managing emotions – the ability to regulate emotions in both ourselves and in others. Therefore, the emotionally intelligent person can harness emotions, even negative ones, and manage them to achieve intended goals."

                                                Credit: Wikipedia.org

      I'm not quite sure how one scientifically measures "Emotional Intelligence". But clearly some have higher scores than others, I'm just saying.

     My question, now remains: How can one improve their score? Is their a Cliff Notes version? Emotional Intelligence for Dummies? Too harsh? Or maybe just simple tender lovin' care and instruction?

     How can we help those that we love?---Or even those that we don't...

The Red

I've been dancing to La Roux in my room for the past week or so. There's something empowering about those filthy, British synthesized beats and sweet lyrics:

"It's all false love and affection
You don't want me
You just like the attention...
I'm not your toy..."

And of course, my anthem this year has been "Bulletproof". And no, I haven't been scorned by a recent lover, but I feel fiesty and encouraged. Perhaps it's recovering from those past days of heartache. My movement has become a dance that feels more like a victory stomp.

It feels good to have your passion restored.