barbie

I am nine-years old, and my friends have decided to hold an intervention on my behalf.

“Lisa, we need to talk to you.”

They are all there – my bff’s (even though we didn’t use acronyms to describe relationships back then.). But these were my blood sisters, pinky promise, cross-my-heart-and swear to god we’ll be friends for life friends.

I look up. I am seated cross-legged on a yellow shag rug. They are standing above me. This can’t be good.

“Here’s the thing. We all know you like to talk about stuff that is really important, but…”

(pause)

“I mean, you know how you always like to talk about the abortion issues and stuff like that?”

I nod.

“Well, sometimes we just like to play with our Barbie’s.”

And that was it. Just like that, I pretty much stopped talking. I had already been rather socially inept, and now, in one sentence, my friends confirmed all of my worst fears: “People don’t want to hear what you have to say.” And “There’s a time and a place to talk about the important stuff. But it’s not here, not now.” And, even worse, “Barbie is where it’s at. Just worry about being sexually attractive and shut your mouth, will you? That’s all you need.”

***

Flash forward…many years. I am talking to one of my current bff’s, Amy. We are discussing the fact that Social Media brings out the best in you, the things you always wanted to do.  It allows you to experiment. To make mistakes. To be creative. To help people. To talk about stuff people don’t always talk about. Here. Now. Anytime. From anywhere in the world.

And that’s what I do. I don’t always talk about the abortion issue, but sometimes — when it’s important — I do indeed talk about it. And I sure talk about everything else under the sun. I talk about trends in technology, and what the future has in store. And that funny dance we do around sexual relationships. And politics and the world economy. I tell people about the things I say to my kids, because sometimes those discussions are helpful to other people with kids. Sometimes I create art just ‘cuz I like to create art. And sometimes I even lol and mean it.

Some days I still worry that everything I say is “wrong”. Some days people still tell me to shut up, or make it clear that what I have to say isn’t all that important. But much to my surprise, the world doesn’t end when that happens. And talking about things that I believe are important sure trumps not talking.

photo courtesy another dear friend who never tells me to shut up: Audrey Huffenreuter