** Before we get to the mini-rant, please check out the changes I made to the site. Stop by the LITERARY LOUNGE. I’ve added an excerpt from my novel-in-progress, “Tastes Like Some More” (Um, if you own a copy of “Love’s Reparations”, you’ve read this. Sorry! I’ll add something equally as tantalizing for you soon. I promise!) Swing by the POETRY BUFFET for samples from LOVE’S REPARATIONS and two upcoming poetry collections. As always, I look forward to hearing your comments so holla back! And by the way, this post was written last week so I am waaaaaay over this rant. For real. Yes, I stockpile blog posts too. **

WARNING: MINI RANT AHEAD

:::BREATHE:::

RAW.

Have you ever had anybody tell you that they’re “raw”? That a lot of people can’t deal with them or handle them because they’re so “raw”?

What does that mean? RAW? I’ve had people tell me that about themselves - sometimes they say it like it’s a badge of honor, other times like they’re apologizing, and other times they just say that ish just to be saying it. Nine times out of ten, they are not EVEN at the “R” stage in the word.

Honestly? Most people who’ve said that to me are not what they THINK they are.

I can’t tell you how many times the person has confused RAW with RUDE. Or confused RAW with ABRUPT. Um, there is a difference. Kinda like the church folk who use the concept of “being spiritually bold” with the reality of “being plain old rude” and tacking Jesus’ name on it. Yeah, again - there’s a difference.

And I can’t tell you how many times the person has confused RAW with RAMBLING. Just straight discombobulated and ish. Thought processes all jumbled up and if they speak or write, it’s reflective of that jumbled state. For real. I’m not being mean - I’m just trying to make a point.

Let me help you with that: USE YOUR WORDS.
Let me help you step it up: USE YOUR WORDS COHERENTLY!

Yes, we all go through times when we can’t seem to get our words out and things tumble all over each other. I get that. BUT, if it’s an everyday occurrence for you, you’re not RAW. You’re simply not READY to have the conversation you’re trying to have which is where the RUDE part comes in.

My point? People who come off like this love to say that people don’t get them. Very few of them stop to ask themselves why. It’s not necessarily because you’re so upfront. It might be your presentation. Your execution falls short. Stop long enough to see what your triggers are and address them. Productively. Cause if you keep showing up discombobulated and rude, and if you do that to people on the regular, yes - they will avoid you or certain topics. It has nothing to do with you being so “RAW” folks can’t deal with you. Quarantine yourself until you work that out. Otherwise you’re just out to ruin relationships and/or your reputation.

And just in case you’re wondering, personally, I think that people who truly ARE “raw” don’t announce it and they certainly don’t apologize for it.

Oh, and for the record? Folks who KNOW “raw”, folks who DO “raw”? They aren’t phased AT ALL when someone gives it back to them.

Signed,
One who knows “RAW”

P.S. The only place where RAW is considered a GOOD thing on the regular is sushis bar and raw food bars. ‘K?

What?

I’m just saying…..