No Worries

A few more days and the holiday season will be over. I wonder how you could measure all the stress of the Christmas season. For myself, this was the second Christmas without my father. I felt his presence around me a lot. I think he knew I needed him. This was the first Christmas since the break-up. The ex was not big into the holiday thing because of his family. I always tried to make sure he felt included in what my family did. Everything definitely felt weird this year.

I don't like this kind of stress. For one thing, it took me a week to figure out what the issue was. Then I lost all my focus. I haven't been able to concentrate, haven't slept well, haven't eaten right. I got sick, wrecked my car. Overall, I'm glad Christmas is gone. My aunt asked me a couple days ago how long it had been since I meditated. It's been at least a month. That's way too long when dealing with holiday stress. And January makes a whole year for the separation. Time to file those divorce papers. I think when it's finalized I'll through a big party. If that sense of relief is anywhere near the sense of relief I felt after Christmas, a party would be good.

I may repeat myself here, forgive me. It's important to deal with issues in a manner that is healthy. You can't keep all that emotion bottled up. I have a couple of writer friends, both guys, who don't deal well with stress. They bury themselves in their writing and don't speak to anybody for days. It's good to keep writing. It would be better if they were actually writing out their frustrations as opposed to hiding. I know if either of them read this they would argue that they aren't hiding, just trying to be productive. But when something major stresses them out, they burrow into the writing like it's a security blanket. They don't deal with the issue at all. What is this doing to them? One drinks, (yeah, I know, not all the time) and the other has a heart condition. I know the one knows what would solve a lot of his problems. But he claims he is too old and too set in his ways to make any changes now. So he continues being unhappy and hiding behind his computer. The other one, I don't know if he truly realizes he has the power to change his circumstances or if he is simply overwhelmed by the task of deciding what action to take.

The important thing is that you recognize the situation and do take action. I've been trying to make time to meditate. In concession to that I have Celtic music playing while I write this and a candle burning. You have to let go of all that stress or it will eat you up inside. It helps to have a friend you can talk to, even if it's just to talk about bullshit so you can clear your mind. Sometimes our friends know when we need to talk even when we don't. So even if you're in the middle of a scene, pick up the phone. It may be just the person you've been looking for.

One is the lonelies number.... Or is it???

Four people live in my house. Very rarely do I ever have the house completely to myself. My brother works third shift. He usually sleeps during the day. The rest of us are home in the evenings. I play poker at least once a week with 15-30 people I consider friends. We usually have a blast. I'm in an online chat group for writers. I consider all of those people friends, too. Some I know just from the group. Others I have gotten to know well enough we call each other on the phone just to say Howdy. You've heard me say before that people will come and go in our lives when we need them. So while I'm rarely alone, I am lucky enough to also rarely be lonely. Do you know the difference?

Lonely is when you have no one close and you're sad about it. I don't feel lonely often. I try not to put myself in a position to feel that way. I don't go to restaurants by myself. I don't go to the movies without a friend. Since the break-up of my marriage there have been other times I've felt lonely. I miss having the companionship of a partner. That closeness, both physical and emotional, being able to share things that you wouldn't otherwise, knowing there is always that one person who will listen no matter what, those are the things that I miss. I'm still not sure I'm ready for another relationship, but I'm always watchful for that spark of attention.

Alone is simply without accompaniment. I don't have a problem being alone. I will go out alone. Friday night has turned into my Me night. I'll go do my personal shopping, browse Barnes & Noble, maybe sit somewhere and people watch with a notebook and pen in hand. Sometimes I need to be alone just to slough off the emotional debris of people I come into contact with through work. I meditate, which is a solitary pursuit. It helps me focus on myself, to shed that baggage, to be able to look honestly in the mirror.

There are other times when I need people. I need that interaction, the flow of conversation, the simple touch of someone's hand on my shoulder. Having been assaulted twice before I was out of high school, I'm sometimes hesitant to get close to some people. I've tried really hard to overcome that. Trust is something that has to be earned. But once you have it, I am the touchy-feely type. People I consider friends will get hugs, not handshakes.

It's important to know how to stand alone. To support yourself really is a major thing, especially if you've never been given the opportunity to do it. I'm learning that now. I live with three of my favorite relatives, but we are all very independent people. I think I like it that way.

I Get By With A Little Help From My Friends

I have had many friends in my 37 years. Some are still around. Some have drifted away. I'm a firm believer that the people we need in our lives will be there at the time they are needed most. I have helped many friends with their problems, and several have helped me. Sometimes all that is required is an ear to listen, a shoulder to cry on, or open arms for a hug.

Life is too short to hold a grudge. It's not fair to ourselves or anyone else to carry that kind of baggage around. Emotional baggage will make you old before your time. I've been shedding a lot of baggage and I feel so much lighter. At times I feel like a teenager again. The girls who work for me don't know what to think when they come to work and I'm bouncing and giggling and singing. More than one person has noticed that I've lost a few pounds. All I've done is find my happy place. I have friends who have helped me get here. It's been an interesting ride so far, and it's not over.

Think carefully how you treat your friends. The best way to make a friend is to be one. Listen when they have something to say. You may want them to listen to you someday. Lend a hand when you can. Share a cup of coffee. Don't keep your smiles all to yourself, spread them around. Laugh whether the joke is funny or not. Be honest with yourself and your friends. Hold on to the ones you have, welcome new ones. If you get a second chance with a friend, grab that chance and make the most of it. If you find something that changes your life, let it. No one ever said life would be easy. But it's definitely worth it.

Love deeply, laugh often, dance like no one's watching. There's little else you need in life.

Ripples on a pond....

How do you get a two year old to make a decision? You limit his choices. The red Popsicle or the blue Popsicle? Only two choices. When we get older this method still works. Whether we apply it to the people around us or to ourselves, we have choices. As we get older the choices we make become infinitely more important. No one tells us when we are kids that the choices we make will effect the rest of our lives. No one tells us that the way we learn to make decisions and choices will effect the rest of our lives.

Changes we make at any stage in life will create ripples we may feel the effects of for years. One little change makes a ripple around us. Then another change adds to that ripple. Eventually, if we make enough changes, we unleash a tsunami of energy. The waves of change will ripple and eddy around us until it's felt by everyone we come in contact with.

I've learned that I am only responsible for the choices I make that concern me. I can't make choices for other people. I can try to influence their choices, and hope they choose the way I want. But it's not my choice to make. If you don't like what choices someone makes, sure you can confront them on it. But be sure you really want to know why they chose to do things that way. And you better have damn valid reasons to present when you try to change their mind.

Not everyone sees the choices they make. Sometimes we need a friend to smack us in the head and say, 'What are you thinking?' That's when we need to look closely at the choices we've made and examine why we made them. This is the hard part, ciphering our deepest desires and motivations. It requires looking at the nitty gritty of what makes each of us a person.

I'm a Libra, which means I look at all sides of a situation before I make a decision. It also means I won't abandon the possibility of choosing a different path. The choices we make can alter the path we take through life. We choose to be miserable like our parents. We choose to make the same mistakes as our parents. We choose to continue the endless cycle of learned behaviors we get from our parents. If you flip that coin over, something amazing happens.

You choose to give your kids the tools they need to survive in this world. You choose to let your kids grow up and make their own decisions. You choose to do the things that make you happy. You choose to be with the person that makes you happy. You don't have to justify your choices to anybody but yourself. Each of us has a path to follow. If we are lucky, our paths will cross with someone else's who will turn out to be the person we were looking for anyway.

Road Blocks

Do you consider yourself a positive person? Do you know someone who is always negative? The way we approach life is very important to how events play out. There are two ways to approach situations: with a closed fist, or with an open palm.

If you approach new or old situations with a closed fist, you are setting yourself up to fail. A closed fist is very aggressive, very negative, unavailable and unapproachable. This type of person is never truly happy. He/She will encounter lots of obstacles in life, many of which he/she will have put there. Even reasonably intelligent people set up road blocks in their lives. Most don't realize they do it. When you clench your fist, you tighten up on whatever is in your hand. It can't go anywhere. Nothing will escape you, but nothing new will get in, either.

If your hand is open in front of you, you are ready to receive whatever life has to offer. An open hand makes you ready for new friends, new adventures, new experiences. You can't be happy with things until you let go of the baggage you're holding and open your hand, your mind and your heart. You are more likely to get what you want in life when you approach it with open palms.

You have to be able to find the positive in all things. A closed fist does not let the positive get through. Open your hands to receive and life is much sweeter.

Everybody Has One

Take a look at the following statements:

The devil made me do it.
Not tonight, I have a headache.
I can't find a sitter to watch the kids.

Know what these are? Excuses. We have all used these and many other creative variations to either get out of doing something or get around something we did not want to encounter. But the excuse itself is not the issue. The behavior associated with it is the issue. Let me give you a definition before we jump into this deep abyss.

Enabler: one who enables another to persist in self-destructive behavior by providing excuses or by helping that individual avoid the consequences of such behavior. *www.dictionary.com

I have an issue with the definition in that it's too narrow. It doesn't account for those who enable themselves. Let me give you an example.

I live with my aunt who has a child who has several disabilities. He was born premature and had several complications. He's now an adult, but he will never be able to live on his own. My aunt is single. She sometimes uses her son as an excuse not to go out with someone, not to get involved. She used to do this and not realize it. Then she took a really long look in the mirror. Now that she recognizes the behavior, she only does it if it's really necessary. The point is that she's enabling herself to live her life a certain way.

There's nothing wrong with living life on your own terms. But you have to be careful that you're not hurting yourself or those around you. I have some other friends who do basically the same thing. And it's not all for the parent's benefit. Sometimes if the child is being particularly difficult, it is easier to give in and do what ever it takes to keep them calm. This could be picking up their laundry, doing a chore, letting them make their own excuses, or letting them use their 'disability' to get out of doing something that they are perfectly capable of handling. Some people don't even realize they do this. And if you've been doing it for a while, it's become such habit that you wouldn't recognize it until you were hit in the head with it. This behavior is not limited to parent and child, either. It is evident in every type of relationship.

The problem with this behavior is that it teaches the wrong things. It teaches the child that it's okay to harass someone else into doing your chores. It's okay to say I can't do that because of.... and expect someone else to do the task for you. But it's not okay. Not for the parent nor the child. It sets up a pattern of poor behavior that will last a lifetime and become an endless cycle unless someone has the cojones to look in the mirror and say, Enough is enough!

My aunt's son does have a lot of issues, but he is far from stupid. I don't like to use the word manipulate, but let's say he knows how to play certain people to get them to do things for him.

For instance, I've seen her be tough with him and her ex let him get away with everything. This sets up conflict for the child because he's getting mixed signals. It also causes conflict because one parent is enabling poor behavior without considering the consequences.

There are a lot of things he can not do. But there are a lot of things he is perfectly capable of doing for himself, he just doesn't want to. On the other side of that is the person who has done it for so long it's a habit. That person uses the child as an excuse for where they are in life, why they can't achieve the things they want to. They see the child as a responsibility they can not walk away from. The thought of changing that situation fills them with guilt, with fears that they are a bad parent. The bad thing is that they are only hurting themselves. The cycle has to be broken.

There is a solution. But be warned, it ain't easy! Looking in the mirror is difficult. You are responsible for only one person, Yourself! You can not take responsibility for someone else's actions, especially if they are old enough to know what they are doing. A child needs a parent to give them the tools, physical, emotional, and psychological tools, that are needed to live a productive life. You give them the tools, show them how to use the tools, and then you have no choice but to let them live their lives as best they can. You can not be responsible for them all the time. I often hear my friends with kids say how much they sacrifice for their kids. Yes, some sacrifice is expected. But not everything.

So if you're not happy with where you are in life, take a look in that mirror. What behaviors do you enable in those around you? What behaviors do you enable in yourself? What are you capable of changing to find yourself in that happy place? What are you willing to change to find your happy place?

We all have dreams and needs and desires. Don't let bad habits get in the way of being happy.

The Possibilities are Endless

Writers like to play a game called What If. It's a fun way to brainstorm ideas for new stories. Some writers use it to push through writer's block or to figure out what a character would do in a tough situation. What If can be a very useful tool for a writer.

What If can also be applied to real life. You come to a crossroads and stop, looking at the choices before you. What if you turn right? What if you go straight ahead?

Let's say you meet someone new. What if he asks you out? What if he kisses you on your doorstep? What if you ask him to come in for coffee?

Or, you are already in a relationship. What if we move in together? What if he snores? Wht if the kids don't like me? What if he hogs all the closet space?

We use What If everyday. Every time we make a decision to do one thing over another we play the game. What If opens up endless possibilities for every situation.

What if I get that promotion? What if I ask him to move to another state to be with me? What if I get my brother a pink tutu for Christmas? All of these questions involve a decision, a possible outcome of circumstances. And everytime we make a choice, we influence the next one. What if my brother really wears a pink tutu while cooking lasagna? What if the purple tutu would have looked better with his tattoos?

We have an endless supply of choices. The key is not being afraid to make a choice. I'm discovering that I like the idea of never passing up an opportunity. I never know what the next moment will bring.

I say What If, and watch to see how many doors open.

Smoke ’em if you got ’em...

I don't smoke. Never have and with my allergies I never will. But sometimes I need that smoke break. That extra ten minutes somebody will take to just go breathe. The last couple of weeks have been very stressful for me for a lot of reasons. I have the day off today, Wednesday, which is also my chat group day. My plan for today was not to update my blog, but that's okay. My plan was to not do a damn thing. I haven't started my laundry yet. I haven't painted my nails yet. I did sweep the leaves off the carport and I took my aunt to lunch.

It can be very tiring to try to be everyone's fix-it person. Hell, it wears me out to be a friend sometimes. Missing someone makes you tired and grumpy, too. I'm missing several people at one time, so that doesn't help. And of course there is the commercial fiasco of the holidays. Ever notice how depressing a Wal-Mart can be? I haven't felt like chatting with friends other than a select couple of people. Yes, I know winter is coming, but I'm usually happy about that.
I just needed a break.

I'm going to make Christmas ornaments this afternoon. I haven't been crafty in a while and I miss it. I read some last night when I got home from poker. Been a week or so since I read anything other than mail. That was nice too. Sometimes I just need to vegetate. I haven't even answered my phone today. I got out in the sunshine and the wind and drove around a bit. I needed to recharge my batteries. Still not at full capacity but I'm getting there. I have vacation time coming after the first of the year. I definitely foresee a beach in my future.

Accept No Imitations

Are you the real deal? What does it take to be real? Do you have to know somebody? Where certain clothes? Hop on one foot and bark like a dog? Oh, please. Being real has nothing to do with the car you drive, the job you have, where you live. It has nothing to do with playing in the jungle, redecorating your neighbor's house, or cooking a fancy meal in an hour.

Reality is what most of us call life. The grungy, down in the trenches battle of everyday. But most of us don't realize our full potential. There are several things you can do to be real.

Don't be afraid to get hurt. I'm not talking about a scraped knee or bruised ego. I'm talking big pain, the kind you feel in your heart. The pain that comes from losing what you thought you couldn't live without. This pain will bring you to your knees, make you choke on your own sorrow and wish you really could crawl into a whiskey bottle and drown. It's a risk. And without that risk, that danger, you will never know what you are made of. You also need that pain because it makes you open your eyes. If you're smart (or lucky) you open your eyes and look into the mirror, and you ask yourself a question. That question may simply be, WTF? Or that question may be so significant that it rocks your very soul. You need to ask yourself the hard questions. Not being able to face the mirror and answer those questions is almost as unbearable a pain as losing the love of your life. Sometimes it's worse. But you can not be afraid of it, or it will control you.

Being real means you have to be able to laugh. At yourself, at the world, at those who would hold you back just because they can. Laughter keeps your brain working, relieves stress. The sound itself attracts attention and more laughter. You can't take yourself so seriously that you forget how to laugh. That's how you make yourself sick.

Love is a part of being real that's not easy. Love is not easy to get, not easy to keep, not easy to let go of. But it is what makes us unique. You need love to grow into an emotionally healthy adult. Without it, you're nothing but an animal foraging for scraps. You have to be able to love yourself before you can love someone else, or before they can love you.

If you start putting all these pieces together, you get the next step, growth. You have to grow as a person to be real. If you don't grow emotionally, you will never find true happiness. You have to look in that mirror to grow. You have to face your fears and insecurities and move past them. It's not an easy thing to do. But the distance you travel once it's done will show you how much you've grown.

Just like anything else you encounter in life, there is more than one way to accomplish becoming real. When something new presents itself, consider it from all angles. Look at every possible outcome and weigh the risks against the potential gain. But remember that there are many options. You owe it to yourself to explore all the possibilities. This may mean thinking outside the box. Don't pass up an opportunity because of geography, finances, or family obligations. Life is too short to miss out on something or someone.

Lastly, whatever you decide to do in life, see it through. Don't give up on something because it's not convenient. I'm learning to look in the mirror and see a path, the path I'm supposed to take. Every time I look I get a little closer to my goals. Being honest with myself makes the picture much clearer.

So, are you real? Me, I am a work in progress. I will look into the mirror, I will push my limits, I will do my damnedest not to be afraid of what's ahead of me. So when you come looking for me, remember, I'm the real deal. Accept no imitations.

Comfort Zone

We all have a comfort zone. That one place where you can let your hair down and relax, sit around naked, or pick your nose if you feel like it. The place where you can do no wrong. The place where nothing can hurt you unless you let it inside. But what happens when you step outside your comfort zone? What if someone pushes you out of your comfort zone? What do you do when someone shows you that the comfort zone you've so carefully crafted is a big can of BS?

People as a group do not like change, whether big, small, personal, general, or indifferent. Once you hit that cozy spot you don't want to get out of it. But if you don't stretch a little, you never grow. If you don't grow, you stagnate. Human beings are really good at digging ruts into our lives and not bothering to see how deep in shit we really are. It often takes a major event, catastrophic even, for us to see what we've done to our lives. Sometimes it just takes the persistent nudging of a good friend. But either way, there are times you just have to stop and take a look at where you are.

Are you where you planned on being at this point in life? Why not? What happened? Why did you react the way you did? Why haven't you done anything since then to change the situation? What can you do now to change it? Do you want to change it or do you want to stay with the current program and just go on bitching about it? If you make an effort to change and it doesn't work, okay, you can bitch about it. But don't bitch and moan just because you don't like it. Do something about it. Speak up. Get off you lazy butt and move.

It's not easy to find that motivation. Some people never do. Some people are so overly motivated they can't be still. And some of us are just chugging along, seeing where the trip will lead.

I'm finding that my motivation is coming from a different place now. No, I'm not where I thought I would be at this point. I planned on being married with kids and a big Victorian house and the white picket fence, with a job I loved and a husband I adored. Well, guess what? The fairy tale is not happening! No house, no kids, husband turned out to be a very accomplished liar. I do know I want to change my current situation. Luckily I have friends and family to support me, and to keep pushing me toward the edge of my comfort zone. I'm also finding that besides still being the guiding voice a lot of my friends have relied on over the years, I'm now the one pushing my friends to the edge of their comfort zones.

If I have to look at myself in the mirror and face the truth, so do all of you. You may not like what you see. You may not look right now, but wait until it doesn't scare you so bad. But one way or another, we all have to look in that mirror.

For now, I will continue to stretch for that boundary between comfortable and growth. I will rewrite my fairy tale. Perhaps my Prince will already have kids, or we find a little bungalow overlooking the beach. Maybe we buy an island and turn into natives. The only way I will find out for sure is to keep pushing my limits. Take one risk at a time until I feel brave enough to try two at a time. Or maybe three at a time. But I will not shy away from that line.

Once you commit to crossing the border it's actually pretty fun. The path we need to take will be bumpy sometimes, but the destination is definitely worth the trip.

I Thank You

Despite the red and green decorations sprouting up everywhere, Thanksgiving is just around the corner. What are you thankful for? Me? There have been a lot of changes for me this year, but I'm starting to see the forest through all those trees.


I'm thankful for.....

-my aunt who has helped me through the break-up of my marriage and the death of my father, plus given me a place to stay.

-my boss/best friend who has helped more than either one of us truly realize.

-finally being able to see the true me when I look in the mirror. It never would have happened if I were still with my ex. I didn't care for his method, but the outcome has been amazing.

- having my family around me. Not just relatives, but friends also. Each one means the world to me. I wouldn't trade you guys for anything. Not even chocolate.

- the one special friend who has shown me that no matter how much the past has hurt, the present can be much more interesting. He's helped me hear the muse again, and helped me find my passion, passion for life, love, music, him, everything. He's helped me learn to care again, to not be afraid of letting someone get close. The funny thing is that he knows there's a connection there, but he doesn't realize just how close he's gotten. He's given me the opportunity to recognize hope for what it is, another opportunity to find the dream with the happy ending.


I'm looking forward to a new year. I'm sure the road will be bumpy, but I'm much better equipped to deal with those hazards than I used to be. And I know I'll have good company along for the ride.

Celebrate

It's Halloween! Well, more accurately, it's All Hallow's Eve! Did you know that it is an American tradition to dress up in costumes? And the first actual jack-o-lanterns were turnips, not pumpkins. The holiday did not start out with little kids dressed up like Batman and Jason. And it sure as hell did not start out as a way for Brach's, Hallmark and Wal-Mart to make money. To appreciate a holiday ( forgive me for this one) you have to look at the reason behind the season. It's not about commercialism. All Hallow's Eve is about tomorrow, All Saint's Day, and the next, Day of the Dead. Days to recognize and remember those who went before us. It's the end of summer, a time to rejoice in the harvest. A time to make changes in preparation for winter. It's a time to celebrate the earth and what she gives us.

So go ahead and dress up, hand out candy to the neighbors' kids. I'm going to celebrate my favorite holiday doing one of my favorite things. I'm going to make cookies and go play poker.

Happy Halloween!

...I ain't skeered...

Since Halloween is right around the corner, let's talk about fear. Is fear the scary movie at the cineplex? A spooky phone call when you're home alone? A strange noise as you walk through an almost empty parking lot? What's hiding behind the winter coats in the closet? According to the movies Fear is all of these things.

I don't watch scary movies. I don't need scary movies. I know for a fact that the things we 'think' go bump in the night, really do exist. Whether you believe or not, I do. But I also believe we control whether or not we let these things scare us.

Fear is so much more than just the movies we watch. Fear can be a living thing that drives us, controls us. My brother won't sit with his back to a window or door. My best guy friend is the same way. They have to be able to see everyone around them and all the exits from the room.

Fear can be a very emotional experience. Some people cry when they're scared, some get angry, some withdraw. Our upbringing has a lot to do with how we handle fear, the primal gut-deep fear and emotional fear. Emotional fear is different. It's the fear of success, failure, being alone, letting someone down, finding the person you want and not knowing what to do with them. It's the fear of death, dying alone, being hurt by someone we care about, not achieving the dreams we had when we thought we could rule the world.

It's the fear of looking at ourselves in a mirror and seeing the truth. It's that nagging doubt in the back of your mind, the one that says "You know this is not right." We all have that internal voice that knows how to strip us down to the bone and scrape it with a fork. If you listen closely you'll recognize that voice as someone either you feared or who taught you what to fear or someone who hurt you in some way.

I'm finding that my fears are changing. I'm separating my mother's baggage from my own and finding a whole new person with very distinct feelings on a lot of things. I'm not afraid of the same things she was. I'm not afraid of a lot of things I thought I was. I'm bolder and braver in some ways. I'm still learning how to be brave in other ways.

One thing I can say without doubt is that I will not let fear stop me from trying something. Whether it's a blind date, a cooking class, phone sex, a roller coaster, or learning to belly dance, I will not allow myself to use fear as an excuse not to try it at least once. I will not let fear keep me the wallflower my mother thought I should be. I am no shrinking violet. I am a wild rose with velvet petals of flame orange.

Don't fear the thorns....

Anticipation

I hate waiting. In a check-out line, in traffic, on the computer. If I have to wait, I get grumpy. Sometimes I get nervous, depending on what I'm waiting on. I'm not as patient a person as I thought I was. At this point, I don't mind working toward a goal, but some things I just don't want to wait for.

Waiting for January so I can file for divorce is killing me. I am anticipating that piece of paper as eagerly as I am the fading of the mark on my hand from my wedding bands. I took off those rings after the last big fight (on the phone) back in March ( the day before the anniversary). The lines are still on my hand.

I'm working toward getting on my feet and getting my own place. I'm still impatient but I will work for it. That is really important at this point. I want to be self-sufficient. I don't want to have no choice but to be dependent on someone else. I want my own place so badly I can smell fresh paint.

It's like anticipating a first date, the first time you meet someone, a first kiss. Everything you've imagined is about to be confirmed or contradicted. Adrenaline is rushing, you can't sit still, nothing else will pacify the need to get to that destination. The phone rings and you have to hide disappointment that the voice is not who you wanted so desperately to hear. Just the thought of talking to that person makes your entire body tingle.

The passage of time kills me, but I like that tingle...

Can we talk?

How do you get to know someone new? Carry on a conversation? Share information? We have to talk to each other. Communication is one of the most important tools we have available to us. Some of us are more adept at using that tool than others. There are people who can't shut up. They simply have to fill the void of silence with a voice, a noise, anything so they don't have to listen to their own breathing. Then there are people who can go for weeks and not speak more than a dozen words.

A good friend of mine swears that men only have about 15,000 words to use on any given day, and women have 30,000 words for a day. Once he uses up his words he stops talking. But trust me, when he's in the mood to have a conversation, he talks more than any woman I've ever met. However, he knows how to communicate. It's almost impossible to win an argument with him. You better have all your facts straight before the topic is broached or he will win every time.

I also have a friend who can't shut up. I've known him over 20 years and love him like a brother, but he simply cannot deal with silence. He also knows his facts and can remember numbers, scores, stats and odd trivia to the point of being annoying as hell. That's why we can go up to a year between conversations and pick up right where we left off the next time we talk.

Both of these guys are great, but very tiring. They don't exhaust me nearly as much as the few friends I have who don't talk much. It's hard to carry on a conversation when only one person is talking. If I'm going to talk to myself I'd just as soon do that to begin with. How are we supposed to get to know each other if we don't talk, ask and answer questions, trade stories about family and friends and our histories?

It is difficult at best to communicate with people who don't talk much. Are they shy? Do they get nervous talking about themselves? Are they hiding something? Are they afraid of getting close to someone? I have learned that I am not nearly as shy and introverted as I thought I was. I'm finally coming out of my shell and discovering that I like talking to people and making new friends. I can be happy with a comfortable silence. I don't have to fill the silence with my own voice just to know I'm not alone. But when I find someone I want to get to know, I'm going to talk. I'm going to ask questions because I want to know the answers. How else do I know if we have something in common to discuss?

I am a writer. I want to know things so I can write about them. Not necessarily as fact, but as an idea to use. Sometimes I go out and just listen to people talk. It's interesting to see how other people relate to one another. Nonverbal communication is interesting, too, but that would take a whole other blog to discuss. For now, let's stick with voice. The sound of an interesting voice can make or break a conversation. An accent can also influence conversation. If it's too strong, people won't want to talk to you. On the other hand, some people love accents and will go out of their way to talk to you. The accent will make people want to listen to you speak. The pitch of the voice can also change the effect of a conversation. My dad had a disc jockey voice. I've found a few people with that pitch. Sometimes we don't have to talk about anything. As long as you keep purring in my ear I will listen for hours, especially if you have a deep voice. I admit it. A deep voice is one of the sexiest sounds I know. This is personal communication which is very important to a healthy relationship.

I don't plan to stop asking questions any time soon. I may try to limit myself to only a few a day. But trust me, I'm listening. I like talking to my friends and family. I like getting to know people. So if you get a call or email from me and I ask you 20 questions, don't sweat it. I'm just making conversation.

One Risk at a Time

Do you play poker? I play Texas Hold'em. Absolutely love the game. I play in a points league. I have played for money, but not often. Poker is a nice way for me to relax with friends. It is also a calculated risk. In my 37 years on this planet I haven't taken a lot of risks. I'm starting to venture beyond my comfort zone, reposition those boundaries that have held me back for so long.

I have always explored risks from a safe distance, hovering on the edge of the situation, afraid of getting hurt if I got too close. The last few months have shown me that I don't have to be afraid to take a risk. Every risk I take, no matter how small or large, moves me one step closer to finding the real Becca. I know she's lurking somewhere behind the hazel eyes and the streaks of gray. If I get hurt, I will heal. But I will never grow as a person if I don't take that chance.

Each risk is an opportunity to find something new and exciting. It may be an experience, an event, a friend, a new love. But if I don't take that risk, I'll just be sitting at home doing my nails. I've taken a few risks lately, doing things I've never done before. Even my new self won't take the risk unless there is a connection, a reason for it. I've taken one kinda big risk. I allowed someone to get close. I've been trying to keep my distance from people since the break-up of my marriage. But I felt the need to take this risk. I found a connection I didn't expect to find. I definitely don't regret it. Truth be known I really enjoyed it. I never know where those opportunities will lead me.

I will not let my past keep me afraid to explore my future. Only I control where I go and what risks I will take. I will look in the mirror and see where I've been. Only then can I decide where to go next.

Letting Go

How do you let go of something? Or someone? How do you let go of an emotion? How do you let go of control? We've all heard the saying: If you love something, set it free; if it doesn't come back it wasn't yours to begin with, if it does come back it's yours. We have no control over other people's actions. None. We can only react to what they do. We can try to direct them to the course of action we want them to take, but we can't make them do anything. We have no control over them and they have no control over us. The answer to my question is a dose of reality.

You have to realize that what someone else does only effects you if you let it. Do you want that person to make you mad? Do you want to think about the issue that person put in front of you? Ask yourself this. Why is that person even in my life? We can't control who comes and goes in our lives either. I recently received an email that said people come into a our lives for a reason, a season, or a lifetime. If it's for a reason, once their purpose in our lives has been fulfilled, they leave. We can't control that. We have to let them go. If it's for a season, we can't define how long that will be. But when it's over we have to let them go. If we're lucky enough that it's for a lifetime, then we have been given a true friend. Regardless to what type of relationship we have with that person, they will always be there.

You also have to realize what effects us now, probably won't effect us in five years or ten years. We can't freak out over everything. Stress like that will kill us. Stop and think about what a particular issue is actually about. Did that person really piss you off, or did he/she just make you stop and think about something you don't want to face. A true friend will help you look in the mirror, and step back so you can see what you need to see. That friend can't make you look, but they will be there to help you fix what you need to fix and to celebrate what isn't broken. All the stuff you see in the mirror that comes from someone else, whether a parent or spouse or stranger, you have to let go of. You have to tell yourself, this is not what defines me. This is not who I am. This is someone else's issue, not mine. Once you can distinguish that, you can see the real you.

Then you have a decision to make. What do you want to hold onto? Do you have that true friend who pushes you toward the mirror when you need to take a look? Do you have that person that you let go of and they're still there, waiting on you to look their direction? Once you can answer those questions honestly for yourself, life is a whole lot sweeter.

My Birthday Wish

This blog almost turned into a man-bashing tirade. It would have been if I had written it last night like I started to. The short version: learned something new about what the ex was doing behind my back. The outcome: I drove around for a bit playing heavy metal really, really loud. I feel much better now, which is a very good thing. Why?

Because today is my birthday! I will not give the ex the focus of my attention today. I have a new playlist on my Myspace page with music that makes me smile. Plus some really cool graphics. Today is going to be a beautiful day. I'm listening to Walking On Sunshine by Katrina & The Waves. That is my theme for today.

I've already received several Happy Birthday's, some nice smelly stuff from a girlfriend, and my brother bought me Chocolate. I did receive a message from a certain someone I was hoping to hear from. I'm still hoping for a voicemail ....

My birthday wish for this year involves a definition. I've mentioned parts of this definition in my previous blogs. What I want this year is a real man. A man who knows who he is and what he wants, where he's been and where he plans on going. A man who understands as well as I do that nobody is perfect. A man who will work as hard as I will to maintain a healthy, passionate, honest relationship. A man who is willing to take a risk. A man who knows when to compromise and when to stand and fight. A man who can redefine romance. A man who knows when to just hold my hand and when to push me against the wall and kiss me breathless.

I know the fairy tale is not reality. I'm not looking for the fairy tale. I want to rewrite the fairy tale. I believe it is possible to find the love of your life, whether for the first time or the second or the third. All I ask is that he loves with all his heart, with everything he has. Don't hold anything back, and I'll return the favor. If you think this sounds like you, feel free to stroll through my door.

Today is my birthday and I've made my wish. It's up to you to make my day.

Rejection

I received my first rejection for a story. A friend said I was crazy to look forward to that first rejection. But I was happy to get it. One, it means that I finished a story, submitted it and got an answer. Two, it shows me that this story needs to be submitted somewhere else. Three, it makes me hungry. Hungry to find the publisher that does fit my story; hungry to finish writing the next story and look for its home. I have lots of writer friends. One of the things I admire most about all of them is that they never stop writing. Every one of us is working on something all the time. That tenacity is what keeps the butt in the chair and the fingers on the keyboard.

I have always had a love affair with the written word. I learned to read at an early age and have had a book in my hands ever since. I have been reading "grown up" books since the age of 8. My father saw me writing and gave me an old electric typewriter when I was 11 years old. I named it Bronti because it was like a big old dinosaur. I loved that machine. Since then I have loved many books and written many stories.

Now that I've gotten this first rejection, I feel both relief and freedom. Relief to have passed this hurdle and freedom to write more. It's kind of like my love life. I'm getting divorced -- a big rejection after 13 years. I didn't look forward to it, but now that it's happening I realize just how happy I am to be moving past it. The next chapter in my love life is ready to be written, the prologue has already started. Same with my writing, the next story is already in the works. Now it's time to finish that story and find it a home.

I have to care about the story to write it. I write the stories I like to read. Stories that make me laugh and cry and cuss and blush. Funny thing is, I'm looking for the same qualities in a man that I want in a story. Passion and emotion and honesty. I have learned to only look back to see how far I've traveled. I am on the road and enjoying the ride.

The question is not why did this not work. The question is where will it work. Whether it's a story or a man, the only question I really have is,

Who's next?

Let's Play A Game....

What kind of games do you play? Cards, board games, touch football on Saturdays, ultimate Frisbee? Ever play cat-and-mouse? Chase and be chased. It can be a very interesting game, but both players have to be willing to play both the cat and the mouse. There has to be equal time on the playing field. Sometimes the Mouse has to be willing to be caught and Cat has to be willing to be chased.

I don’t mind playing the Cat. Chasing can be fun, especially if Mouse knows how to play his part. But it can also be tiring when you’re always on the hunt. I do enjoy being the Mouse. Mouse gets to tease and then hide to see what reaction occurs. Although, I’m finding the new me is more aggressive than I thought. This makes it difficult to play Mouse. It’s hard to be patient when Cat is not chasing; and I know he wants to chase, but he likes playing Mouse even better. But I’m not the kind of woman to pursue endlessly and never catch my prey. Sometimes you just have to let yourself get caught.

Playing Mouse can be quite entertaining. If Cat is on the hunt and he knows what he wants, it’s nice to be shown that I have what he’s looking for. But if you’re going to pursue me, have the cojones to keep up the chase. Don’t tease me unless you mean it. Like with any relationship, it’s a matter of give and take. One more thing to remember, If you’re playing Mouse to my Cat, you better already know if you want to be caught or not.

I like playing games. And I really like to win.

Into The Looking Glass

How many times do you look in the mirror each day? Ever counted? Now how many of those times do you actually take the time to look at yourself? Not to count gray hairs, not to tweeze an eyebrow straight, not to make sure you brushed breakfast out of your teeth. I’m talking about really seeing the true you. Most people don’t like to look that deep. They don’t always like what they see.

I’m finding a new appreciation for the mirror. I’ve been looking lately. I’ve seen things I do not like. I’ve seen all the emotional baggage I picked up from my mother, and my ex. We all carry that stuff around with us. Sometimes we don’t realize just how much of it there is or how it weighs us down. It makes us look and feel old and worn out, sucking the life right out of us. Once you look at it and recognize it for what it is, you can start to shed that baggage. It’s not easy. You have to admit what the problem was before you can let go of it. That means we have to forgive the ones who have hurt us, even it means forgiving ourselves.

It takes a lot of courage to look into that mirror. Sometimes we need the help of a friend to build up the nerve for that first peek. You need a friend who truly understands you even when you don’t understand yourself. I’ve always been the friend who can be brutally honest and still love you enough to help you through the crisis. I was lucky enough to have a friend to do that for me. Since she forced me to confront my demons, I am at least 5 times stronger than I was. But I still have many issues to work on. For instance, I haven’t actually seen my ex since we split. I know I will probably go all to hell the first time I do see him. But I’ll be damned if I’ll let him see it happen. It’s not so much that I still have feelings for him. I do still care about him; it’s hard no to after 14 years together. It’s like grief. What I thought I had is dead now. I’m still dealing with that grief even though most of what I thought I had has turned out to be a lie. That kind of baggage is hard to let go of. It hurts. It’s raw and bloody and it hurts enough to drive you mad.

But I have learned that I am not that person anymore. I am no longer the scared, dependent little wallflower my mother raised me to be. I have worked hard on forgiving my mother for that. I have worked hard on forgiving myself for not knowing how to stand up to her. I’m still working on forgiving the ex.

I am seeing things in my mirror that I love now. I love the passion in my eyes, the fire and strength. I love the weird and often perverted sense of humor. I love how my outside is starting to match my inside. I’m slowly chipping away at the façade that overshadowed the real me. Yes I still have a long way to go. But I have travelled miles and miles from who I used to be. I now see a creative, vibrant woman who cares deeply and laughs often. I’m learning to take risks that I never would have considered before. I’m no longer dodging the small mirrors in restrooms. I’m standing in front of a cheval in a mahogany frame deciding what to wear for my next adventure.

happy or sad, that is the question

September is bittersweet for me. In this month I honor the anniversary of my mother's death, my grandma's death, and my father's death. I also celebrate my father's birthday. Today. They are all remembered fondly and sorely missed. It has definitely been a Monday. On the bright side, my birthday is in two weeks. I'm really looking forward to October.

Distractions

How well do you stay focused? Can you multi-task or do you have to do one thing at a time? What distracts you? The kids, the dog, phone calls? These are small distractions, easily dealt with. I'm talking about the big distractions. Things you simply can not ignore. A child's laughter, a friend's tears, the sound of your lover's voice. These are things that stir the soul, things you can't turn away from no matter how hard you try.

Sometimes we need the big distractions, just like sleep. We get so tied down to the daily grind that we can't focus on what's happening inside us or around us. Sleep allows us to subconsciously work through our issues in our dreams. Distractions do basically the same thing. Every now and then we just need to focus on something different, to block out whatever pain or stress is making us miserable. Then when we go back to that issue, we realize it's not as stressful or painful as we thought. We can look at the situation more objectively and see how to work through or around the obstacles. Or we may realize that we've gotten over that pain that seemed to consume us.

I have learned to appreciate these distractions. Learning from the experiences we have is how we grow. I have a lot to learn still. And I look forward to the journey, no matter how happy or sad, how painful or pleasurable, how stressful or joyous it happens to be. I'm making new friends, trying new things, finding new distractions. I hope everyone tags along for the ride.

Convenience

Ever have a conversation with yourself? Anyone see you do it? Got a lot of funny looks didn't you? Sometimes it's not easy to have a conversation with just one person. Even the most solitary of people sometimes need the contact of another person. Conversations, like relationships, take some effort. They are not always convenient. Getting a loaf of bread at the gas station is convenient.

Relationships are not supposed to be convenient. They require effort on both sides. It makes no difference what kind of relationship it is, you still have to work at it to make it work. Even online relationships take effort from everyone involved. Effort and honesty are essential to any relationship, online or in person.

It's not a game of 'kinda.' You can't be kinda pregnant. I can't kinda be your friend. If I'm your friend, guess what? You might as well be here for dinner everynight because my friends are my family. I have friends I love more than some of my relatives. But I also have friends who vex me to no end. One of my oldest girlfriends, who was my bridesmaid, I haven't heard from in almost 6 months. I've known her for almost 20 years. Another girlfriend I've known just as long hasn't spoken to me in over 2 years. It's hard to be someone's friend when they won't talk to you.

You can't be someone's friend when it's convenient. A friend is not just a booty call. Don't be my friend just when it suits you. A real friend is there anytime you need them. Whether it's an important issue or just to shoot the breeze, a friend is always available. We all know that life happens. But we can't get so caught up in our own little realities that we ignore those around us who care about us. We all need to feel needed and appreciated. We all want to feel loved and respected. We all need that contact with someone else, be it physical, mental or emotional. I don't ask more from my friends than I'm willing to give. Even if you don't think I can help with whatever has put a burr up your ass, call me. Even if it's not the most convenient time for me, I'm still available for that conversation. You never know. I just might be the answer you're looking for.

stormy weather

I'm sipping hot tea, listening to the radio. The house is quiet. It's not often I get the house to myself. Makes for a good opportunity to write. I have four stories I'm working on right now. But the knot in my shoulder keeps distracting me. Too much stress from the day job. It doesn't help that my hormones didn't get the memo about getting dumped for an older woman. And yesterday was the one year anniversary of my father's death.
All around, it's been a stressful week. If I owned a gun, I'd go shoot something. Maybe I'll find a Schwarzenegger movie and watch stuff blow up. That usually helps. Or I could go to bed early and hope I sleep more than four hours. I need a drink, among other things. Guess I shouldn't have tried working on the erotic short story. I'll stop grousing now. Hope the weekend goes quickly.

Cravings

What do you crave? What one thing can you not live without once it crosses your mind? Is it a milkshake? A song you just have to hear? Crawling into that college sweatshirt you just can’t bring yourself to throw away?

Cravings and desires are important. They are signals to what is vital to us, and what is dangerous for us. The things we are passionate about do not define us, necessarily. But they do paint a picture.

My picture is changing. The colors are becoming more vibrant, bolder. I’ve been the introverted nerd for so long it feels strange to see in such rich colors. Being passionate about things is something I’m still getting used to.

I’m discovering that my cravings are changing. Some things are still on my list, but there are some new things, too.

So what cravings are on my list? Let’s see:
Music I can sing along with
Cooking dinner for family and friends
The scent of fresh laundry
Wind in my hair as I drive too fast
Words, all words, written and otherwise
Honesty from the people I care about
A sexy voice in my ear
A caress from someone who understands me
Laughter and joy and passion

I don’t think I could live without these things. Some things are easier to acquire than others. The harder it is to achieve some things, the more you appreciate them when you get them. However, you have to be careful not to hold on too tightly. If we are meant to have these things that vex us so, they will come to us when the time is right. That doesn’t make the desire any less. I keep seeing the Corvette I want and can’t have right now. But I know I will appreciate it more when I do get it. I’ve already found the perfect heels to wear when I drive it.

Unwritten

Unwritten. What does it mean to be unwritten? Words not dripping onto the page? The muse not paying attention to pleas for help? Playing mahjong online instead of writing? Life can be unwritten, unplanned, unscripted. I often hear writers say they let their characters lead them through the story, only vaguely following a sketchy outline. We can be unwritten as people, too.

People who know me know I’m in the process of ending a 13 year marriage. I went from my parents to my husband. No time to find myself in there. In that respect, I am unwritten.

In the months since the breakup, I have written more journal entries than I did the entire time I was in high school. I have also meditated and had lots of long conversations with people who love me for who I really am.

I’m just now learning who that person is. I like the feel of rain on my face. I love to sing. I’m writing more and I’m actually happy with what’s on the page. I don’t need anyone’s approval. I do want people’s opinions. I can have friends who are hundreds or thousands of miles away and still love them for the true friends they are. I am smart, funny, quick with a helping hand. I love one-liners and good comebacks. I play poker and don’t drink sissy drinks. I love football and MMA and boxing.

People who ‘knew me when’ tell me I’m like a different person. I carry myself differently and smile a lot more. I’m happy with the gray in my hair. I don’t stress over little things. I’m learning what I can control and what I have to trust to God. I love my own idiosyncrasies. I’m learning to release inhibitions that were never mine to start with. I have a wicked sense of humor. I love double entendres and dirty jokes. I’m comfortable with myself for the first time in my life.

Hopefully I won’t intimidate people. I’ve been told I do that. I truly find it weird that anyone would be intimidated by me. Regardless to how smart or straightforward I am, I hope I am approachable. I’m finding the best version of me. It’s starting out to be very interesting. I think it’s going to be one hell of a ride.

So for now, I will drench myself in words. I will feel the rain on my skin. I will gladly share the words on my lips. I am no longer unwritten.