Oh hey! It’s me, LG.

I’m so glad you’ve come across my column, BEHIND THE CURTAIN, WITH LG.

This mess of text should be a 300ish-word blurb that does the following:

- Make you chuckle

- Reveal something peculiar (behind the curtain)

- Poke the brain

This is a series where I’ll “pull back the curtain” on the quirks, curiosities and hidden gems of Elon (nothing to do with Musk) University. Expect blurbs on topics such as Jon Dooley, Campus-Specific Life Hacks, Bet-You-Didn’t-Know stories from professors, How Your Brain Makes Excuses, A Talk About Carpets, Addressing Career Anxieties and much more.

But hold on. You might be thinking … “LG, what even is this? These topics are all over the place!” All in good time. #expecttheunexpected. 

This column might not always seem organized or make sense … but that’s part of the fun.

OK. Without further ado … read below.


Subject: Carpets

“hey, maybe you should take your carpet with you when you graduate”

Said no one ever — until Ashley Josey stepped on the scene.

This is a talk about carpets — well, sort of. Hold on, stay with me. 

This talk about carpets addresses something more than that used-to-be-white 5x8 shag rug you’ve had since freshman year. This carpet is a metaphorical one. This carpet isn’t made from polyester, it’s made from the threads of relationships you’ve made in your time at Elon — so actually yes, maybe there are some threads from freshman year.

OK, let me give you some background context so you can fully absorb the sweetness and practicality of this analogy.

Last spring, my dearest friend and inspiration, Ashley Josey, introduced her concept of “carpets” to me as we processed saying a temporary three month goodbye to Elon. After quoting another of my inspirations, Winnie the Pooh — “How lucky am I to have something that makes saying goodbye so hard” — Josey presented her philosophy on long distance friendships and how she ebbed with the flow of constant goodbyes and new hellos. 

Josey’s journal reads (in the most gorgeous handwriting btw):

“To embrace the radical presence of the reality that is here, & through this act, to notice how profoundly beautiful it all is.” 

OK that was poetic, Josey — but what does that even mean? My unenlightened mortal brain struggled to keep up with the levitating Josey.

Josey’s journal talks about embracing the present moment, of course — how we can enjoy and savor moments with our friends (especially the graduating ones) while also honoring their everlasting presence in our lives? 

A carpet.

OK. This is what you’ve been waiting for. So how the heck is LG going to connect this sentient being’s journal entry to carpets? The greatest thing is I don’t have to — Josey’s got our back. 

Let’s skip the paragraph style —let me draw this out for you visual learners.

As drawn below, every thread is a relationship in your life that weaves together to create the carpet in which you dance on through life. And as you cut-up-the-rug, per say, you reveal old threads (aka reconnect with some old pals). And there are all types of threads — some are really vibrant, sparkly. Those are the threads that stand out, the impactful people. There are also subtle threads, old threads, that sustain your carpet. All the people who have directly or indirectly affected your life in some way. 

So as you — trigger warning —start to pack your room up, think about your carpet, about all the threads that you have, and how you can take them with you. 

Anyway … plucking on the heart strings. Stay strong.

Xoxo,

me  

FYI: Josey’s thread in my carpet is neon pink with bright yellow sparkle tinsel coming out of it.