... frustrations abound!

People finish my thoughts.

It never used to bother me if people would complete a thought for me when I would paused to create that perfect string of words. Different story now.

In our fast-paced society we have become uncomfortable when the cadence of life slows down. This, I feel, might be why people try to finish my thoughts-- it just takes too dang long to wait for me to write it all out! I find that people that generally are very patient in their listening are even eager to wrap it up for me. More often then not, they (with all good intentions) guess wrong.

Every play pictionary? You’re madly trying to draw some obscure person, place or thing (like the ones that come from the “difficult” category) and your team mates are making guesses that aren’t even close, before you really even get started. You then find yourself trying to figure out how to lead their train of thought from “donut” (what they are guessing) to “simpleton” (what they should be guessing). You could argue that if you had any artistic ability to begin with you wouldn’t have them guessing pastries in the first place, but that’s beside the point.

For the past three days my life has been a modified pictionary game with an uber eager team! Relax people. Let me have a thought.

In their defense, some people have noticed that they complete my sentences and asked me how I felt about it. I tell them it is frustrating, but that I understand and would probably do the same. Some have even confess that they were trying to help me by completing my thoughts-- they figured I would appreciate not having to write it all out. It only helps if they guess right. :)

Even when it does help, having people complete my sentences does make me feel powerless and in their control. Not a comfortable place to be. I know I am on the Top 10 Most Wanted list when it comes to finishing the thoughts of others. Knowing how it feels now, I'd like to change that.

Take home message: Slow down when listening. Don't finish thoughts unless they are your own. And learn how to draw.