Choose Your Own Adventure, TNR Style

I was telling a friend last night that I had an angsty Valentine's Day post that I couldn't bring myself to publish, which led to me admitting that I have many posts that feel the wrath of ye olde delete button...

...or do they? (bum, bum, BUM!)

Actually, I have lots of drafts lying in the TNR files, and today, I'd like YOU to tell me which you'd like to see published on this here site. Here's how it'll work

• I'll post titles and snippets of each post here
• I'll write a blurb of the direction the post was taking
• You respond in your comments with your vote of which post option you'd like to see published in all its glory

Sound like a plan? OK, here goes!

Option 1

Title: The Myth of Reaching for the Stars (also titled: Quit Dreaming Big, and Start Dreaming Small)

Snippet: N/A

Synopsis: True happiness lies in reaching small goals. The most miserable people on the planet are those with huge dreams and no desire to achieve them, one small step at a time.

Option 2

Title: The Simplicity of Kindness

Snippet: Working in a customer service based job, I've discovered that kindness is much more simple than I believed. Kindness doesn't have to be a grand gesture or an expensive gift. Kindness can be as simple as an extra "thank you." Kindness can be...

Synopsis: Don't overcomplicate. The small things matter.

Option 3

Title: What it Means to Actively Trust

Snippet: N/A

Synopsis: Quit checking his e-mail, reading his receipts and sneaking a look at his text log. Trust is active, not passive.

Option 4

Title: How to Break Up with a Friend

Snippet: We've all been there...we've been super chummy with someone forever, when suddenly, things just keep going wrong.  Maybe one party is consistently exhibiting bad behavior (lying, vicious gossip, addiction), or jealousy has developed, or maybe someone has just become an emotional black hole.  Whatever the case, I've found it's wise to follow what Sarah Von calls the Bad/Break Rule.  If it's bad for you--emotionally, physically--break up with it, and get it out of your life.

Synopsis: Some friendships aren't meant to last forever.

Option 5

Title: The Death of the Writer-Blogger, and Why that Sucks for People Like Me (Working Title)

Snippet: I had found myself really struggling for content.  Blogging had become a chore, one I dreaded in a lot of ways, but something I felt like I had to do because I know many of you have been kind enough to join me for the ride.  I didn't want to disappoint you...and yes, I was lured by the dream of being Dooce-like, of quitting my job, traveling the world, and rubbing shoulders with the interweb elite.

And then I realized I wasn't struggling for content at all...I was struggling for packaging.  I couldn't come up with regular Monday through Friday 500 word revelations.  I couldn't muster the enthusiasm to "Eep!" over the same latest felted wool skirt on Etsy that everyone thinks is adorable.  And I sure as hell can't find it in me to regularly boil life down into a five step how-to.

Synopsis: Is it possible to write beautifully and still command attention on the Internet? 

Option 6

Title: Why Your Parents Might be Ruining Your Relationship (Without Even Trying)

Snippet: Prior to entering my (failed) marriage, my ex and I attended pre-marital counseling with a beloved mentor of ours.  During our first session, I expected the whole, "Marriage is hard work, but totally worth it" line.  Instead, the first question he asked was:

"Tell me about your parent's marriage."

When we asked why this would be his first question, he said, "Children often live out the relationships that they witness growing up, without even knowing it.  My job is to help you analyze the main relationship you've witnessed and avoid the same pitfalls they may have encountered." 

Synopsis: The relationships we watched growing up have the potential to make or break our own relationships.

Option 7

Title: Demand the Best

Snippet: This weekend I had a revelation:  I wasn't practicing what I was preaching. I was telling you guys here that you must demand the best for yourself. That you must train people to treat you a certain way. That you must not put up with shit. And I was not living that principle.

I was playing games, being dumb, allowing shitty things to happen to me, putting up with shitty behavior, allowing others to chip away at pieces of me I treasured and valued. I was giving up my high ground, one inch at a time.

Synopsis: A tirade on what it really means to demand the best for one's self.

Option 8

Title: Angsty Valentine's Post

Snippet: I don't need anyone, but I want someone. I do. I like being in a relationship. I like the sounds of a person in the next room, watching TV, typing on the computer, playing with the dogs. As much as I hate bugging someone to take out the trash, I like having someone to bug to take out the trash.

Synopsis: Too much beer and a bruised ego makes Sarah a wordy, wordy girl.

Which option would you like to see next? And go!