“Period. New Paragraph,” the mother of a good friend of mine used to announce when changing subjects—sometimes mid-sentence.
It’s a good rule for life in general, though. I believe in changing your mind.
When I was in sixth grade I agreed to participate in an Outward Bound type field trip that involved rappelling down a cliff. I took one look at the ground below and sat on the grass.
Period. New Paragraph
I spent freshman year of college in a state so cold that by November when I went outside with wet hair, it froze and snapped in half. I transferred.
Period. New paragraph.
At my new school I declared myself a psych major only to discover physical contact with rats was part of the lab requirement. Hello American History.
Period. New Paragraph.
A few years, and three babies later, I (ambivalently) decided it was time for me to finish my Masters. When I couldn’t find a parking place at the registrar’s office, I switched directions, went home. And decided to become a writer.
Period. New paragraph.
Life is too short to live with decisions that don’t feel right. Including in politics.
Especially in politics.
Next week, I will discuss the life lesson of the semi-colon.
Seriously.
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