I was just reintroduced to this lovely article on Introverts that I read 2 years ago in the Atlantic Monthly. The AM has moved it behind the “archive shield” but I found a reprint of it.

Every Sunday, after the minister had finished his sermon, he would utter this cryptic phrase. Six then, and squiriming in my seat, I always assumed that the phrase meant that they had unlocked the doors, the sermon now over, we no longer had to remain captive to the shreiking ladies caught up with the holy ghost. I never understood why my mother and father didn’t gather up our things and lead us out with the handful of people who took the invitation literally, ducking out through the large doors at the back of the church as the voice of the choir rose from a low moan to its full height.

The “open door”, it turns out, was a invitation to the congregation to join the church - to accept Jesus Christ as their personal savior. I remember thinking, as I grew older, what brave souls those who accepted the invitation must be. Sitting there quietly with their decision, then slowly rising to their feet and making their way down the aisle, a hundred Hallelujah’s rippling in their wake. How brave, I thought, to decide “Today, right here, right now, before my friends, before God, I am going to reclaim control of my life.”

The stories of God and his only son have long been relegated to that part of my brain reserved for geometry, physics and all of the other things I have learned but never found a real world use for. But it occurred to me today that the idea of reclaiming one’s life is a powerful concept. To be sure, I think the church had it wrong - it cannot be done for anyone else. It involves rejecting expectations rather than striving to live by them. It requires realizing that you are in control, not those who surround you.

When I look at it that way, I don’t think it’s brave. I think it sounds like a good idea.

Young Woman: I’m from Orange County.

Mike: What’s Orange County like?

Young Woman: It’s like 60% Spanish out there.

Mike (looking incredulous): Is it really 60% Spanish… like from Spain.

Young Woman: I know I know… sorry… latino. But seriously… My friend Carmine Rodriguez just married a guy named Diaz… The wedding was so cute! The vows were done half in Mexican and half in English.

Mike: (shaking his head in disbelief… can’t even manage to muster any words)

Young Woman: I know, I know… I am sorry. It was part in Latino and part in English.

“I look for Cleveland to be my home away from home… You know it’s cold up here, but I’m from hot Atlanta. Hopefully, I can heat it up for you.”

Usher, referring to his recent purchase of a minority share in the Cleveland Cavaliers.