Eyes Wide Open

I just had an interesting conversation with this guy who has been trying to get my attention for months.  During the conversation, I was basically speechless at some of the crap that he allowed to come out of his mouth.  I have not known this guy for long, but what I was reminded of was something that I saw on Oprah.  She said that people usually show you who they are, and when they show you...you should believe them!    (If it walks like a duck, and quacks like a duck....guess what?  It's a duck!)  Wow!

 I guess I am at a stage in my life where I am comfortable in my own skin, and I know how I want to be treated, and I REFUSE to settle for anything less.  This person was basically telling me that he is the man, and women should totally do everything that the man says, and that he hates independent women. His words and I quote "Women should know their place and stay in it."  What the heck!  In that instant, I knew that I was dealing with a damn fool, and there is no way that we could ever progress any further. 

I AM an independent woman...I don't know any other way to be, and I have three children who all happen to be girl's that I am raising to be independent as well.  There is nothing worse than a woman defining her self worth based on another person's perception of her.  I wonder if he had came at me with this line of BS when I was in my 20's would I have giggled and blew it off?  As I am approaching the big 4-0, I don't believe in wasting time on situations that are not working, or holding my tongue so that I don't make waves.  If I don't agree with something....I speak up instantly.  Today....I spoke loud and clear to this misguided man when I simply said "Goodbye."

Are you Resilient?

I have not blogged in weeks, due in part to being a procrastinator....(a habit I am really trying to break), but I ran across an article in the newspaper that struck a nerve in me.  It was an article on resilient people.  The common traits of resilient people that the article mentioned are as follows:

• They adapt easily to change.
• They take control of their lives.
• They bounce back after hardship.
• They have close, dependable relationships.
• They remain optimistic.
• They don't give up.
• They think clearly under pressure.
• They see humor in all situations.
• They are self-confident and strong.
• They can handle uncertainty and unpleasant feelings.
• They know where to turn for help.
• They like challenges and feel comfortable taking the lead.
• They believe things happen for a reason.

Being resilient does not mean that you don't get angry or frustrated or frightened.  Instead, it's about what you do when you are angry, frustrated or frightened.  It's about how you react to stress and adversity.  Resilient people have a knack for rolling with the punches.

With all of that being said.....are you resilient?  I can say that for the most part I am resilient,  due to my strong faith in God.  I believe that what does not kill you will make you stronger, and that even when the going gets rough, God has my back and will carry me when I cannot stand on my own two feet.

It's a new dawn......a new day!

Today I made the decision to stop making excuses for everything that I want to change in my life, and to be like Nike and "Just Do It." 

It is my belief that we are all works in progress, and that as long as we are living on this earth, we are constantly evolving, and growing.  The learning never stops.  For a few months I have been contemplating the changes that I want to make in my life. The dreaded New Year's Resolutions.  Let's see....for the last 15 plus years, they have always been the same:

1. Lose some weight.  (Get back to my high school glory days)  ***This has been a pipe dream of mine for years.  I am laughing as I write this.
2. Become more organized.
3. Start working out. 

As I am getting older, I have found that my values and priorities have changed.  I am no longer interested in getting down to the "Skinny Minnie"  that I was in high school.  Instead I am more concerned with being healthy and fit as my fortieth birthday approaches. I realize that in order to live a balanced life, every aspect of your life has to be in order.  It's time to clean out the clutter!  The first order of business for me was to toss out the New Year's Resolutions, and instead make what I like to call "Life Style Solutions."  Time waits for no one.  I have one or two options....keep talking about it or be about it!  I chose the latter.  It's a new dawn.....a new day.....and I am feeling empowered to take control of every aspect of my life, from those stubborn pounds I have wanted to lose forever, to all the excess papers, and crap that I think I must hold on to. 

I've said it a million times that change is good.  Now I am going to stop talking about change, and being about it!  Stay tuned.............

Pearls of Wisdom

I've been thinking about the content for this blog for a few days now.  I can remember growing up, and my parents, grandparents, or older adults having sayings for just about everything.  As a child and even as a teenager, I can recall rolling my eyes and catching an attitude sometimes, because I did not want to hear it.  Now, as an adult, I realize that these were what I now call Pearls of Wisdom.  These pearls were told out of love, and to educate me to be a better human being.  As a parent, now I find myself passing down a few pearls! 

Here are a few of the Pearls of Wisdom that I can recall:

• A hard head makes a soft behind.
• A penny saved is a penny earned.
• What's done in the dark will come to light.
• Nothing beats a try but a fail.
• Don't piss on my leg and tell me it's raining.  (This one really got my eyes to rolling!)
• I'm too old of a cat to be fooled by a kitten.
• Pretty is as pretty does, and pretty can be pretty ugly.
• You get out of something what you put into it.
• God don't like ugly, and he's not too fond of pretty.
• All smiling faces are not smiling.
• All closed eyes are not sleep.
• Choose your words wisely or they can come back to bite you in the butt!
• A fool and their money are soon parted.
• Be mindful of the company you keep.

The list goes on and on..........As an adult, I appreciate these pearls and now I have the sense to take heed to them.!

From Homeless to Inspiring

As I began this new week, I am filled with inspiration when I think about Ted Williams, and what his life must have been like two weeks ago.  I can't imagine what it's like to not know where I am going to lay my head at night, or where my next meal is going to come from.  The character of this man inspires me.  I saw him on The Today Show, and he talked about how his faith never waivered.  He did not care what anybody said, he KNEW that he had a God given talent, and that is what sustained him. 

In every situation that we experience, there is a lesson to be learned.  The lesson that I have learned from Ted Williams is to never give up....it is always darkest before dawn. 

Life and Death

In trying to decide what to say in my first blog posting, I decided to touch on life and death.  Recently, there was an unexpected death in my family.  Death is always hard to accept, but it's even harder when it is sudden and that person died young.  Death is one of two things that we do not have control over....the other being Life.  What we do have control over, is all the life choices that come in between the two.  Are we living our lives to our fullest potential?  What is your bucket list?  My bucket list would include traveling around the world, and achieving all of my academic goals. The point that I am trying to convey is that life is too short not to live up to your full potential.  The sky is the limit.  There is nothing stopping you.....but you.