OMG...are you getting tired of trying to figure out all of these abbreviations? Do you miss reading something that read like poetry and was used as a means of true expression? Why is society speeding through communication as if there is no time to say what you mean?

I say it's time to back up and not only smell your coffee, but drink it as well. Take your time and give someone a gift of expression. It doesn't matter if you write it on paper, facebook it, or email, just let your thoughts bleed into what your writing and share something special. Use a vocabulary your not used to using. Phrase your sentences in a more poetic and dramatic way for even the most simple communications. It will be fun to write and fun to read. You may even find that your friends and family wait with anticipation for your next mind trick.

Here's an example of a simple communication from my identical twin brother who lives many miles away. We hardly see each other so time shared on facebook, email, or phone is about the best we can do. I would write letters but unfortunately, while my typing is legible, my hand writing isn't. This whole idea only came about because I finally started my own page on facebook. It took my dear brother a couple days to confirm me as a friend. Apparently he was getting bored with saying the same old things on facebook; so instead of just confirming my friendship he responded this way:

"I will indeed befriend you. fear not ohhh shunned one. for I shall impart my hand this day to the electronic medium and cause said friendship to be set forth. hehhe"

I have to admit that my brother and I tend to compete in just about everything. I could not let him out do me. Reading what he wrote inspired me to go above and beyond and explore a bit of creative writing in the style of old. It's funny, it seems we've got our friends and family not only writing this way, but talking like this on the phone as well. It may be pretentious, but it's also fun. Here's how I accepted my brother's confirmation:

"And as said hand was set forth this day, behold, a friendship both old and new. Reborn of lightning and haste before unknown. Rejoice in this bountiful reunion and shake not it's pillars for whence one is alone he is never. And be it so far a distance and the peril of the road is wide and distraught, fear not; I say. For we touch with only the tips of our fingers the very means for which to pass unrivaled thought and expression. Nay, say not whimsical rhetoric this fine day for the count of days is unknown. Instead cherish within your bosom the essence of brotherhood to the second power as we were put forth from one but now are two. A great and mystical awareness with gifts veiled until let loose by fate have been bestowed upon us both. Let us not reveal a compromised pose and yet joyfully bask in the sharing of our lives. And so I thank thee with much emotion as I deliver myself as your very own brother...and friend. I love you Bubba."

Now, writing that was fun. It has spawned a new line of commuication between my brother and I, and has made our facebook time alot more interesting. Don't be afraid to mess up. That's the essence of trying. You may develope a style before unknown to anyone and share it with the world. I hope you give it an honest effort. It's nice when your writing is appreciated...for any reason.

So go, you masters of the given word and lift the flood gates with the might of one thousand soldiers. Be not hidden under the protection of the status quo, but naked in the sunlight of passionate thought. Shower in the warm waters of confidence and leave not one drop spilled. For it should be you that reaps all incompasing gratification.

emb