Saturday, February 5, 2011

Embracing the Awkward

He asked if he could kiss my hand.

She gave me the once-over and then said, "Well, now I know why he likes English so much."

Awkward.  I have had my fair share of awkward moments:  blind dates, family gatherings, encounters with strangers and old acquaintances, and of course in the classroom.  I teach high school.  Awkward is a part of my everyday existence.

And it's not just my experiences with awkward people.  I am an awkward person.  Well, sometimes.  I guess if they're honest, most people would say they're a little awkward.  A little.  Or maybe a lot.

So, I've determined to embrace the awkward.  The alternative--pretending it doesn't exist or constantly trying to avoid it--is exhausting and inevitably leads to more awkwardness.  Embracing those awkward moments usually leads to a couple things:  an ease in awkward tension (thus a more comfortable atmosphere), laughter, and many good stories.

I'll try to share as many of these stories as I can.  Somehow, when we hear about other awkward stories, it makes us realize there are other people out there like us and we laugh and breathe a sigh of relief that we are normal after all.  Normal.  Awkwardness just seems to be a part of my norm.  You?

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