The story of my standing lamps

•  Choose an inanimate object in your work-space. 
• Write a blog about the following:
• What is the story of this object?
• Imagine it sitting next to another object of its kind but of much better or much worse quality:
•  What is it thinking about that other object?
•  How does it feel being compared to it?
•   Now, what advice would this object give you if it could talk?
•  Post the URL to your blog entry 

My object is a standing lamp, the kind with a light directed to the ceiling and the middle of the lamp is a neck to allow better desk reading or chair reading.  As it so happens, I have just re-arranged my furniture and have two lamps about 2’ apart, to see which lamp I like better aesthetically, and practically for the light provided and the heat put off.  Then I realize I would be remiss if I did not explain the features of my two lamps so you could share in my decision process.  One of them is what my husband calls “an old friend”.  This lamp has been with me since before I married but never fails me, well for the most part.  We have moved across the country a few times in the last 7 years, starting in Reno, Nevada we moved to Cary, North Carolina, then two years later to Goodyear Arizona, then two years later to Midlothian, Virginia and now we are in Plano, Texas, you may wonder what this matters, but the significance is in the wear and tear on my “old friend” the art deco looking lamp.  She is a nice sliver color with gold accents.  She stands tall but over the years, her top globe as become a little less sturdy, some might even say wobbly, and after being lit for a few hours, if you want to re position her prepare to be swift or find a pot holder to avoid the burn.  Sure, this might spell less than energy efficient to some, but she still works well and does not require those expensive hard to install line like bulbs, you know the ones I speak of, right?  

My silver beauty has been a favorite, but along the way we picked up Black beauty.  She is not of the same ilk as Silver, but I believe her efforts to light up a room clearly outshine Silver, and though I will not be parting with Silver, she will be tastefully positioned in a place where she will not need to be moved or re-arranged, simply turned on and off for illumination purposes only.  Silver would feel a place of honor as my daughter delights in reading and Silver provides a beautiful reading light which will truly be cherished by my Rachel.  My daughter’s room will be the perfect spot for Silver and Black Beauty, perhaps an Ikea treasure, most likely found at a thrift store will continue to shine her light on me as I work at my desk, churning out my best work in a well- lit and very happy, bright atmosphere, free of eye strain allowing me to be all that I can be, teamwork at its best.  If Black beauty could speak she would be thanking me for the opportunity and telling me she really won’t let me down.  I would reassure her I have all the confidence in the world in her and am quite confident she is more than up to the job and I am looking forward to spending quality time with her.  She is utilized and appreciated, and I am given the benefit of an attractive, newer “friend” to help light my pathway as I travel on my scholastic path.

My lamps, much like myself are secure in their abilities, choosing to build one another up instead of criticizing and tearing each other down.  They understand there is an abundance in the Universe and plenty of time, space and room for all, just finding their niche. Being spiritually minded Silver Beauty and Black Beauty understand whereas they technically do provide the same function, it is in slightly different ways and knowing they are both well used & appreciated they are fine with the comparison, now they will see our home from a new vantage point, doing the same thing in a different way to get a better result is exactly what we are doing.  The advice given to me would be remember to pray before starting your work to keep on a focused and positive path and for my daughter, please listen to your mom, when she says lights out, turn me off and we can go at it again tomorrow after you are well rested and ready to embrace the day with love and light in your heart.