By definition vulnerable is susceptible to physical or emotional attack or harm with synonyms of: helpless, defenseless, powerless, impotent, and weak. This was the ledge I was on for a brief moment last night. My first day driving was amazing, I was on cloud nine in my element and so in love with the open road until the time came to shut this machine down. I felt powerful the entire time I was behind the wheel pushing all this weight. I was in charge! Not so much in the cold wet dark of this rest area parked next to complete strangers, sharing a bunking area with a man I just met 12 hours ago. He seemed amazing until I realized I had to trust him and my surroundings with my eyes closed. This has to be what children that go away to camp without friends feel like. I don't know that feeling because I only went to camp with my cousins. I had a built in safety net, family. This man is a stranger. I know the company trust him but can I?
I find myself stowed away in the restroom trying not to have a melt down. He probably thought I was doing number two!! In reality I was stuck between panic attack and hyperventilating, I'm talking myself off the ledge unsuccessfully, so I use one of my life lines and phoned my Mommy! Yes, I had a cry baby moment. Her first instinct was to call my trainer and go off Mama Bear in attack mode, I assured her that I was OKAY
that this was just me being nervous but she didn't like the sound in my voice. Calming her down, calmed me down. Plus I gave her his number in case of an emergency so she might really call and make this situation worse. Once she put her paws down she talked me through my plan (I've been burning her ear up with the details), reminded me that this part of training is only temporary and that the day will come soon that I'm actually sleeping on these roads ALONE and that now was my time to PRAY! You have to know my Mother to know that statement was HUGE but it worked. I probably rested more last night than I have in past six months at home.
I recognize that I will have to take many safety precautions. Lighted areas, parking close to front, pepper spray or taser. A self defense class is in my very near future but the spirit of fear I have to leave behind and truly trust that no weapons formed against me shall prosper. I know how to PRAY and that's my safe call!
On the road again... VA now headed to "Gots to B-more careful" that's for all my readers out there!
Group Hug have a blessed day!
When life knocks you down; instead of bouncing right back up, turn on your back and enjoy the view!!!
Saturday, November 1, 2014
Thursday, October 30, 2014
Journey Home
As I begin this new career I've decided to dust off my blog to share my journey with you. I considered renaming my blog since this is a new chapter in my book of life but for now I will rest in the knowledge that sometimes you have to hit rock bottom to know that God is the rock and my view from rock bottom is what gave me the strength to begin again.
With that said let me share that every journey for me begins at home and I'm not necessarily speaking of the physical location as I am the mental and emotional dwelling of home. For me that is my daughter, my family and some very special friends that are framily! Thank you!
Now you may wonder why a truck driver? Let me digress to help you understand how this life decision unfolds. It's no secret that my position was eliminated in March of 2014. I wish I could say that bothered me but it didn't. I smiled through my entire exit interview; I purchased parting gifts for former co-workers. I was beyond happy, I was FREE!!! During my time off I developed a sense of self and started working on my health. This is still a work in progress with goals still ahead of me but I understand my body, my mind and what food and being overweight means for me. However I'm digressing during my digress so in an effort to focus and to keep this a one day read I will have to write about that subject another day.
During my time off I tried an at home business that gave me more control over my schedule but still was corporate hell and I didn't desire to live in that trap again but it was an income so when that contract ended that may have been the very first time I felt like I might suffocate if I didn't find a J.O.B. I started shopping my resume, contacting head hunters and the closer I got to resuming life stuck in cubiclenation again the more miserable I became. I came to a crossroad, I had already taken the steps to begin the class A CDL program (something I desired to do since my daughter was 11) when I was called for what would be an appearance only interview. Which meant the job was mine and the interview just a formality. Fear made me set the appointment, Faith let me cancel it with confidence. Mind you unemployment ran out awhile ago. There was nothing left. Fortunately for me I TRUST GOD!! I shared my story, not out of pity but out of PROMISE! I had a very dear friend basically admit that she was ashamed for me because we have been programmed not to discuss hard times. Whatever, my transparency allowed strangers to bless me in ways unimaginable. One person paid my car payment for a few months, others sent money so that bills were paid. We didn't miss a meal, no utilities ever went off and even after packing my entire place, accepting that we would have to move that day never came. We are still unpacking. Lol. God will do it for the birds who worry not so why not for me. His CHILD!!
With that settled and the pressure removed I began my program. This should have been three weeks and out, but this is my life we are talking about so easy does not apply. Three weeks turned into eight. I completed my classwork and then I began the hurry up and wait process for a driving slot. I realized that I took for granted that this would be a breeze. I drive well, I love to drive, I'm great at distances and I would get to travel. NOT... it was hard. I struggled a lot. God and I developed a different line of communication. Which included me shouting at him. See this was my Hail Mary, my reinvention plan. This was how I would marry happy and successful. Either this works or I face the possibility of moving back home to Mommy and Daddy or a little less embarrassing to Denver with my sister. At least that didn't look like I failed but more like I was just starting somewhere new.
Finally I stopped screaming at God and just reviewed my plans with him to make sure they lined up with his desires for me and confirmation came from a morning motivational that our youth Pastor sends out daily. "God cares about the smallest details of your life. If it matters to you, it matters to him. Just be honest when you talk to Him." So we talked and during each part of my skills test I (who cannot sing) was singing LOUD praise and worship songs. My evaluated was like are you talking to yourself or singing? "I'm singing is that okay?" Her reply was whatever works for you. It DID, I PASSED FINALLY!!!!
A CDL turns the tables on unemployment. You are now a hot commodity and have your pick of positions. Nine job offers and counting. They will not stop coming until I decide to cut them off. At this point I just compared training programs, safety records, mileage pay and equipment to help make my decision. I narrowed it down to three and went with my second choice until I receive the endorsements and experience I will need to move into Hazmat tanker driving, which is my next goal.
Now this is the important part!! THE PLAN!!! Yes I've decided to work for a company as my first step. This is for experience and insurance purposes. This will prepare me for OWNERSHIP!! I will discuss that later, This is more than enough for today. I can talk forever about how good my God is, what I've learned from each delay but I will close with THANK YOU LORD!!
I hit the road tomorrow to begin my OTR so stay tuned I'm certain all my blogs going forward will start with... on the road again however all roads will forever be a part of my journey home. I do this for those I LOVE!!!
With that said let me share that every journey for me begins at home and I'm not necessarily speaking of the physical location as I am the mental and emotional dwelling of home. For me that is my daughter, my family and some very special friends that are framily! Thank you!
Now you may wonder why a truck driver? Let me digress to help you understand how this life decision unfolds. It's no secret that my position was eliminated in March of 2014. I wish I could say that bothered me but it didn't. I smiled through my entire exit interview; I purchased parting gifts for former co-workers. I was beyond happy, I was FREE!!! During my time off I developed a sense of self and started working on my health. This is still a work in progress with goals still ahead of me but I understand my body, my mind and what food and being overweight means for me. However I'm digressing during my digress so in an effort to focus and to keep this a one day read I will have to write about that subject another day.
During my time off I tried an at home business that gave me more control over my schedule but still was corporate hell and I didn't desire to live in that trap again but it was an income so when that contract ended that may have been the very first time I felt like I might suffocate if I didn't find a J.O.B. I started shopping my resume, contacting head hunters and the closer I got to resuming life stuck in cubiclenation again the more miserable I became. I came to a crossroad, I had already taken the steps to begin the class A CDL program (something I desired to do since my daughter was 11) when I was called for what would be an appearance only interview. Which meant the job was mine and the interview just a formality. Fear made me set the appointment, Faith let me cancel it with confidence. Mind you unemployment ran out awhile ago. There was nothing left. Fortunately for me I TRUST GOD!! I shared my story, not out of pity but out of PROMISE! I had a very dear friend basically admit that she was ashamed for me because we have been programmed not to discuss hard times. Whatever, my transparency allowed strangers to bless me in ways unimaginable. One person paid my car payment for a few months, others sent money so that bills were paid. We didn't miss a meal, no utilities ever went off and even after packing my entire place, accepting that we would have to move that day never came. We are still unpacking. Lol. God will do it for the birds who worry not so why not for me. His CHILD!!
With that settled and the pressure removed I began my program. This should have been three weeks and out, but this is my life we are talking about so easy does not apply. Three weeks turned into eight. I completed my classwork and then I began the hurry up and wait process for a driving slot. I realized that I took for granted that this would be a breeze. I drive well, I love to drive, I'm great at distances and I would get to travel. NOT... it was hard. I struggled a lot. God and I developed a different line of communication. Which included me shouting at him. See this was my Hail Mary, my reinvention plan. This was how I would marry happy and successful. Either this works or I face the possibility of moving back home to Mommy and Daddy or a little less embarrassing to Denver with my sister. At least that didn't look like I failed but more like I was just starting somewhere new.
Finally I stopped screaming at God and just reviewed my plans with him to make sure they lined up with his desires for me and confirmation came from a morning motivational that our youth Pastor sends out daily. "God cares about the smallest details of your life. If it matters to you, it matters to him. Just be honest when you talk to Him." So we talked and during each part of my skills test I (who cannot sing) was singing LOUD praise and worship songs. My evaluated was like are you talking to yourself or singing? "I'm singing is that okay?" Her reply was whatever works for you. It DID, I PASSED FINALLY!!!!
A CDL turns the tables on unemployment. You are now a hot commodity and have your pick of positions. Nine job offers and counting. They will not stop coming until I decide to cut them off. At this point I just compared training programs, safety records, mileage pay and equipment to help make my decision. I narrowed it down to three and went with my second choice until I receive the endorsements and experience I will need to move into Hazmat tanker driving, which is my next goal.
Now this is the important part!! THE PLAN!!! Yes I've decided to work for a company as my first step. This is for experience and insurance purposes. This will prepare me for OWNERSHIP!! I will discuss that later, This is more than enough for today. I can talk forever about how good my God is, what I've learned from each delay but I will close with THANK YOU LORD!!
I hit the road tomorrow to begin my OTR so stay tuned I'm certain all my blogs going forward will start with... on the road again however all roads will forever be a part of my journey home. I do this for those I LOVE!!!
Sunday, December 22, 2013
I Digress...no more
I'm sitting in the living room of one of my sister's homes. It's quiet, my daughter is sleeping and I'm alone with my thoughts. It's no secret that my sister isn't fond of this state so she is happy celebrating her birthday today at her other home in her favorite state! Bare with me as I digress a moment in order to move forward, for this is not about my sister or even my cousin but about life and death.
My sister has this wall of windows that over look a pond and it's a very rainy morning here. I woke up to a flash flood warning alarm on my phone but right now it's almost as if the rain is so transparent, so cleansing, almost majestic. The fall colors a beautiful display of death. Everything I see is void of life. The browns and oranges of nature while they are my favorite colors, also represent that the grass and tree leaves had to die to survive the elements that are too come. Sadly I'm sitting here this morning because one of my favorite people, one of my greatest motivators and supporters lost her oldest son to a coward over his cell phone and his wallet. His Mom is my first cousin and her baby was only two and half hours into his 21st birthday when he was robbed of his life.
There was a vigil last night and services yet to come. More family will travel in as the week goes by and the holiday passes so that we can say a final goodbye but in death there is always life and this is the purpose of this blog.
I started this blog Jan 4th 2012 on my birthday and I wrote for a year never missing a day more as therapy for myself that I just happened to share with the world. Since that year ended I've only stop by my blog for brief visits and I've realized areas that I stopped growing, places that I died in long ago but never said a final goodbye so those parts of my life have become toxic waste on my inside. I've spoken candidly about the dysfunction that was my marriage, the abuse in my life, the rape. There is more than enough to fill my book and yes it's still a work in progress but coming very soon. Still I digress which is what this is about. If you don't continue to find a way forward you end up stuck in what has died. I use to believe that if I didn't try harder, fight longer and love more that someone else would get a better version of my husband. That I had invested ten years of my life for someone else to come live in the house I built. Wow, was I ever wrong. I wasn't moving on from something great and solid but broken and continuously self destructing so it didn't matter how fast I tried to put him back together he would always find a way to tear it down with his wreckless lifestyle catfishing to feed his greed. You can't receive love from someone that doesn't love themselves. The person I met outside my home 10 years ago never existed, anymore than who he pretends to be. I don't say this with anger or regret just awareness that I spent so many years trying to remove his mask. See I didn't want to face what was wrong about me so I pretended that this couldn't be who he really is because I wouldn't pick a man like that to love. I use the word is instead of was because he didn't stop being who he is. I was the one to change.
It wasn't about him. It was about the lack of self love or lack of understanding what love is. When all you've ever experienced was loud and chaotic; it is hard to adjust to silence. My cousin said yesterday at her son's vigil. "I hugged my son this morning and by night God was hugging him." Life is just that fragile so like many it takes a tragic life altering event to wake us up. To force us to live again. For me I choose to die in a marriage, Jesus choose to die for us, for others its a job, your children, your parents, the loss of a loved one, your addictions or the opinions of others that's holding you back from living. I charge you with the task of going to look yourself in the mirror and identifying where you digress within.
While my cousin shouldn't have had to die so senselessly, the reality is we all must die. His Mom said "God only wanted him here for exactly 21 years" and those almost 200 people that gathered last night in a bitter cold rain, showed what a great impact he made during his time on earth. I'm sitting in the same spot as I finish this entry and the sun has come out and the ducks that live in this pond have started to move around; they are making noise, talking to each other. This represent that even when everything around you has passed on that you must keep living. So today I open my blog back up so that we can talk about forgiving our past in order to live in the present and participate in the rest of our life. Today I digress no more.
My sister has this wall of windows that over look a pond and it's a very rainy morning here. I woke up to a flash flood warning alarm on my phone but right now it's almost as if the rain is so transparent, so cleansing, almost majestic. The fall colors a beautiful display of death. Everything I see is void of life. The browns and oranges of nature while they are my favorite colors, also represent that the grass and tree leaves had to die to survive the elements that are too come. Sadly I'm sitting here this morning because one of my favorite people, one of my greatest motivators and supporters lost her oldest son to a coward over his cell phone and his wallet. His Mom is my first cousin and her baby was only two and half hours into his 21st birthday when he was robbed of his life.
There was a vigil last night and services yet to come. More family will travel in as the week goes by and the holiday passes so that we can say a final goodbye but in death there is always life and this is the purpose of this blog.
I started this blog Jan 4th 2012 on my birthday and I wrote for a year never missing a day more as therapy for myself that I just happened to share with the world. Since that year ended I've only stop by my blog for brief visits and I've realized areas that I stopped growing, places that I died in long ago but never said a final goodbye so those parts of my life have become toxic waste on my inside. I've spoken candidly about the dysfunction that was my marriage, the abuse in my life, the rape. There is more than enough to fill my book and yes it's still a work in progress but coming very soon. Still I digress which is what this is about. If you don't continue to find a way forward you end up stuck in what has died. I use to believe that if I didn't try harder, fight longer and love more that someone else would get a better version of my husband. That I had invested ten years of my life for someone else to come live in the house I built. Wow, was I ever wrong. I wasn't moving on from something great and solid but broken and continuously self destructing so it didn't matter how fast I tried to put him back together he would always find a way to tear it down with his wreckless lifestyle catfishing to feed his greed. You can't receive love from someone that doesn't love themselves. The person I met outside my home 10 years ago never existed, anymore than who he pretends to be. I don't say this with anger or regret just awareness that I spent so many years trying to remove his mask. See I didn't want to face what was wrong about me so I pretended that this couldn't be who he really is because I wouldn't pick a man like that to love. I use the word is instead of was because he didn't stop being who he is. I was the one to change.
It wasn't about him. It was about the lack of self love or lack of understanding what love is. When all you've ever experienced was loud and chaotic; it is hard to adjust to silence. My cousin said yesterday at her son's vigil. "I hugged my son this morning and by night God was hugging him." Life is just that fragile so like many it takes a tragic life altering event to wake us up. To force us to live again. For me I choose to die in a marriage, Jesus choose to die for us, for others its a job, your children, your parents, the loss of a loved one, your addictions or the opinions of others that's holding you back from living. I charge you with the task of going to look yourself in the mirror and identifying where you digress within.
While my cousin shouldn't have had to die so senselessly, the reality is we all must die. His Mom said "God only wanted him here for exactly 21 years" and those almost 200 people that gathered last night in a bitter cold rain, showed what a great impact he made during his time on earth. I'm sitting in the same spot as I finish this entry and the sun has come out and the ducks that live in this pond have started to move around; they are making noise, talking to each other. This represent that even when everything around you has passed on that you must keep living. So today I open my blog back up so that we can talk about forgiving our past in order to live in the present and participate in the rest of our life. Today I digress no more.
Thursday, June 27, 2013
Coming up for Air
I am in the middle of swim lessons. I've tried unsuccessfully many times before and I promise all of my previous lessons have always started out the same, hold onto the side of the pool and kick your legs and then lets learn to float. Well this time my lessons started with learning how to breathe. INHALE, EXHALE exercises with my face coming in and out of the water. YAY for me!!! I wasn't afraid to put my head under water, but doesn't that sound just like me? For those that know me and those that followed my blog last year you all know that I dive deep. I take the big plunge and then after I am under I get so caught up in my own mind; over thinking to the point that I forget to come up for air and end up sinking.
When instructed to go out to the center of the pool and let go of my wonderful instructor who I am trusting with my life; I learned that I could trust myself. Of course I didn't put it all together today, I still have to believe that my arms, legs and breathing will all work together making the water my friend, but what I did learn about my life was that I can come up for air during my lessons and that when things get to rough or when I lose my balance that if I just stand up I will be back on my feet.
When instructed to go out to the center of the pool and let go of my wonderful instructor who I am trusting with my life; I learned that I could trust myself. Of course I didn't put it all together today, I still have to believe that my arms, legs and breathing will all work together making the water my friend, but what I did learn about my life was that I can come up for air during my lessons and that when things get to rough or when I lose my balance that if I just stand up I will be back on my feet.
Tuesday, April 30, 2013
Care Less
I’ve been told a million times that I wear my feelings on my sleeve. My authentic self never learned to adorn a mask and cover my true feelings. Instead I turned to silence as my shield, and soon found myself on mute. Yes I can speak loud, clear and boldly on the other side of a pencil but verbally I turned down the volume in an effort to keep the peace. I spent so many years on BLAST with NO CHANGE that it has taken a moment to realize that the louder you get, the more your words sound like a conversation with Charlie Brown. After some very HARD conversations in which I learned that nothing I ever said would really be heard I realized that I didn’t need to talk at all; I just needed to care less.
Now don’t mistake those two words as being void of emotions. Nope that is not it. As most of you know I am very passionate about many subjects; I love hard and my loyalty is fierce but I had to take the weight of what other’s thought, spoke or did off my shoulders. I had to ACCEPT that they are who they are and they think what they think and believe their own truth, but it did not have to be my truth and it was truly not my burden. I had to care less.
When you have had an audience co-sign on the decisions of your life for so long you forget how to trust yourself. Your value and self-esteem becomes wrapped up in their approval. When you reach to pick up the phone to see what someone else thinks or how they would handle a situation before you take the time to sort out the information for yourself or to determine how it makes you feel it means that you care too much about that persons opinion of your life. Unfortunately their feelings or response begin to alter your natural response and you are now jaded unable to stay true to who you are. I shared way too much because I needed for others to care when all I needed was to step back, care less and figure out my best response even if I turned out to be wrong. Caring less means I can take more time to care about me and that is not a selfish statement, that is Me loving on ME!
Sunday, March 31, 2013
Resurrection Day
Holding true to blogging at least once a month now, I figured today would be a great day to speak of resurrection. Jesus died! Can you imagine sacrificing one's life for complete strangers all because he had enough faith in his Father to believe that he would live again. Jesus died so that we could live; not for us to lie, steal and rob or to cheat, beat and abuse. Do you realize that Jesus died for our sins, for all of our wrongs and here we stand in strife with most people, unforgiveness in our hearts and even hatred. "Unforgiveness is the single most popular poison that the enemy uses against God's people, and it is one of the deadliest poisons a person can take spiritually." We judge people by their race, gender, religion, size, or sexuality. We judge them because of their past or by how they hurt us before handing down a life sentence instead of loving them past our pain and their mistakes. Let's try this resurrection day to begin to honor the sacrifice Jesus made so that all relationships can be resurrected, so that all of God's children can receive love.
Thursday, February 28, 2013
What a difference a year makes
A year wasn't a year anymore; it was just another date. I've grieved for so long that I think I convinced myself that I would dread this day, but instead I woke up with a smile! Finally over the tears and tired of holding onto something that wasn't holding on to me. I realize that unconditional love does not mean happy ever after. Now that the fog is evaporating and my depression lifting, I see that the sun really does come out tomorrow, you just have to go outside to see it!! The best part of love is that you can take it with you, carry it in your heart or spread it around the world but it is yours to give freely with as much abundance as you choose.
I thought I would have this nice long blog to write about today but for as scary as moving forward is, I am really okay!! I made it through this year and today is just another day!!
I thought I would have this nice long blog to write about today but for as scary as moving forward is, I am really okay!! I made it through this year and today is just another day!!
Monday, January 28, 2013
Praying for the Blessings of Others
Over the last few days I have been in this serious argument with God, well a one-sided screaming match as he patiently allowed me to get it all out. Today marks 335 days into the separation process and instead of rejoicing in the progress I’ve made over almost a year; I’ve spent the last few days somewhere between day one and day 200, but without the tears wondering why me? Dates run circles in my head like today is the 28th and the 28th marks each month that passes by without resolution or reconciliation. 28 also marks the day that we officially became engaged all of those years ago. So I have been asking God why does it seem like people that hurt others always receive blessings? No I don’t wish ill on anyone, but at times I wonder why is this person not living even one day in the hell I feel? I am beyond frustrated because I don’t want to stay mad at God and I don’t want to turn my back on God or leave him but I would like an answer to WHY am I not having more better days? Really Lord why all the false starts in my journey? See all I can think is God I am a nice person, I don’t intentionally cause pain and I really love with all of my heart, mind and soul so where are my blessings?
Well sometimes you need people in your life that give it to you straight no chaser, so after my two day rant with God and still all of these unresolved emotions I spoke my feelings out loud. And the answer that was returned to me…”Pray plenty more blessings for his life because while he is so BUSY with all of that MATERIAL STUFF (that will fade) he is out of your way FREEING up the SPACE for you to continue to HEAL and become STRONGER.”
See while the same ole song has been on repeat in my head… if I’m too busy loving him and he is too busy loving himself; then who is loving ME? (I made up that song it’s my personal tune and I haven’t found a new station) that is what happens when you have spent your entire life in this cycle of pain and disappointment you are scared to jump off the merry-go-round. You might be brave enough to drop one foot and kick up some dirt thinking you can handle hitting the ground, but the fear of falling completely off and it hurting more makes you pull your foot back every single time. I have been so afraid to Let Go and Let God because I couldn’t see my blessings as I was too busy measuring the blessings of others not realizing they were being distracted by things just so that I could continue to see the truth.
Except I was so stuck in this tug-a-war between my heart and mind allowing any false hope to send me spiraling back down. I wanted to believe in the words that a mortal man was telling me. I keep praying for change in him, when God kept waiting patiently for the change to come from me. God does not violate our will, so I can pray until I am blue in the face for someone else to change, but I have no control over their will and God does not pick that fight. All along his grace has been trying to save me the struggles of that lost battle.
I’ve spent a lot of time justifying the pain by replaying the beginning when our time and memories where great!! But as I learned today, my memories don’t have to go away and yes people can change, but accepting things for what they are right now is my task. I don’t know God’s plan but what I do know is for as scared as I am of living without the pain (sounds sick), I am more afraid of continuing to hurt while waiting for that change. See Hurt people Hurt people and if I keep allowing myself to be hurt then I will hurt all the things around me by not being my best self. I will not lie, I have no clue what my best self looks like. I have no clue what life without pain looks like either for it has been a string of bad luck, bad decisions, bad relationships for most of my life but I do know from a quote that was sent to me that I can “take all the time I need to heal emotionally. Moving on doesn’t take a day. It takes a lot of little steps to be able to break free of my broken self.”
What I know for sure is that there will be days I miss his voice and other days I listen to his false hope but the closer I get to God the quieter those lies become. I know that with my daughter leaving the nest and me having to face myself alone that I have to decide if I am a priority or just willing to settle on being someone else’s option. I have to figure out what I like about me and make it better and what I don’t like I must change. Look I am new at this; I’ve always turned my love outward hoping someone would love me back. I’ve never turned it inward to see what it feels like to love me!
Well sometimes you need people in your life that give it to you straight no chaser, so after my two day rant with God and still all of these unresolved emotions I spoke my feelings out loud. And the answer that was returned to me…”Pray plenty more blessings for his life because while he is so BUSY with all of that MATERIAL STUFF (that will fade) he is out of your way FREEING up the SPACE for you to continue to HEAL and become STRONGER.”
See while the same ole song has been on repeat in my head… if I’m too busy loving him and he is too busy loving himself; then who is loving ME? (I made up that song it’s my personal tune and I haven’t found a new station) that is what happens when you have spent your entire life in this cycle of pain and disappointment you are scared to jump off the merry-go-round. You might be brave enough to drop one foot and kick up some dirt thinking you can handle hitting the ground, but the fear of falling completely off and it hurting more makes you pull your foot back every single time. I have been so afraid to Let Go and Let God because I couldn’t see my blessings as I was too busy measuring the blessings of others not realizing they were being distracted by things just so that I could continue to see the truth.
Except I was so stuck in this tug-a-war between my heart and mind allowing any false hope to send me spiraling back down. I wanted to believe in the words that a mortal man was telling me. I keep praying for change in him, when God kept waiting patiently for the change to come from me. God does not violate our will, so I can pray until I am blue in the face for someone else to change, but I have no control over their will and God does not pick that fight. All along his grace has been trying to save me the struggles of that lost battle.
I’ve spent a lot of time justifying the pain by replaying the beginning when our time and memories where great!! But as I learned today, my memories don’t have to go away and yes people can change, but accepting things for what they are right now is my task. I don’t know God’s plan but what I do know is for as scared as I am of living without the pain (sounds sick), I am more afraid of continuing to hurt while waiting for that change. See Hurt people Hurt people and if I keep allowing myself to be hurt then I will hurt all the things around me by not being my best self. I will not lie, I have no clue what my best self looks like. I have no clue what life without pain looks like either for it has been a string of bad luck, bad decisions, bad relationships for most of my life but I do know from a quote that was sent to me that I can “take all the time I need to heal emotionally. Moving on doesn’t take a day. It takes a lot of little steps to be able to break free of my broken self.”
What I know for sure is that there will be days I miss his voice and other days I listen to his false hope but the closer I get to God the quieter those lies become. I know that with my daughter leaving the nest and me having to face myself alone that I have to decide if I am a priority or just willing to settle on being someone else’s option. I have to figure out what I like about me and make it better and what I don’t like I must change. Look I am new at this; I’ve always turned my love outward hoping someone would love me back. I’ve never turned it inward to see what it feels like to love me!
Friday, January 4, 2013
365 Death of a Blog
Well its been a full year. 365 days that you've shared my life and for that I thank you. This began as therapy for me. My open diary; an invitation into my life. Along the way I somehow managed to unknowingly provide support and strength for others to make life changes. I didn't set out to do anymore than face my fears, as they were my weaknesses. I wanted to talk about the pains, disappointments, hurt and anger. I wanted encouragement from others that have successfully won the fight against weight and others raising a teenager alone. For people who loved and lost but were brave enough to love again. I just needed to be open, honest. Transparent!!!! Most of all I needed a place to grow. A safe place to share the gift God gave to me. Many days my entries were my conversations with God. There was not a topic everyday and most entries had no forethought. I write as I think. So now that my goal for this year has been met, I promise to continue to share but it just might not be everyday. Thank you all for traveling this journey with me. The best is yet to come!!!
Thursday, January 3, 2013
39 and Holding
When I was younger my Mom use to have a key chain that read 39 and Holding; back then I thought 39 was so old, not so much now as I enter my last hour of 39 it doesn't seem old enough. There are so many things I still have not done. Goals I have yet to meet and places I need to see. Dreams that still only surface at night because I have yet to bring them to reality. 39 is still so young when you have a to do list longer than your arm. At 19 it seemed that I was just beginning to live, not as much as I feel ALIVE at 39 waiting for the clock to strike 12...I am so looking forward to 40. People scream it is the new 20 or 30, for me it is Fabulous 40!!! There is nothing I regret from those younger years nor anything I would dare repeat. They were the stepping stone to help me stretch and grow. I listened to a man say he didn't buy his first horse until 40 and won five polo matches by 50. He also created the blooming onion at Outback and is part owner. His message, never give up and don't ever believe that it is too late!!! I can't hold onto 39 because then I would stop living and miss all that 40 has in store!!! FORTY FABULOUS and FREE...well almost it isn't midnight yet!!! :-)
Wednesday, January 2, 2013
I'm My Motivation
In conversation with my W.H.(work husband)! (ha lol) as he vented today about his external life. He might as well hit me in the head with a sack of rocks as he said, "I can count on one hand how many people I know that are not necessarily friends or family that motivate me and I don't mean that I can make it all the way to the number five when I say one hand." Now the meaning behind Mr. Positives statement today was you have to be your own motivation. Your life is not like the t.v. you can't just hit the remote control, you have to get up and change it yourself. Now to back up this conversation as God never fails me in the confirmation department. I am reminded of an interview Tyrese did on TBN with Steve Harvey and one of the most profound things Tyrese stated as I paraphrase was he heard a sermon Bishop Jakes preached once and in it he said..."Just because you go to sleep at night, doesn't mean you're resting." So how do I rest if my life is a nightmare while I'm awake... you cut people out of your life unapologetically." "Loyalty has an expiration."
You can't just keep owing people your life. Not the ones that helped you or the ones you've helped. At some point we must call it even or indifferent and you must begin to live for yourself. Your circle has to rotate and in that you might lose or gain some people, but you must always be clear on the motives of others. Do they add value to your life and not monetary value, but substance that will promote or support your growth. When you are striving to be or do things different from what you were taught or to move away from what looks like ordinary to you then it is time to open your circle and either pull it apart or rebuild it and contrary to what other's may believe at times you have to just hold your own hand. No one can cheer you own like you can and no one understands your direction like you do. There comes a time in everyone's life that no matter how close someone travels to the finish line with you, they can't cross it for you. You must be your own motivation.
You can't just keep owing people your life. Not the ones that helped you or the ones you've helped. At some point we must call it even or indifferent and you must begin to live for yourself. Your circle has to rotate and in that you might lose or gain some people, but you must always be clear on the motives of others. Do they add value to your life and not monetary value, but substance that will promote or support your growth. When you are striving to be or do things different from what you were taught or to move away from what looks like ordinary to you then it is time to open your circle and either pull it apart or rebuild it and contrary to what other's may believe at times you have to just hold your own hand. No one can cheer you own like you can and no one understands your direction like you do. There comes a time in everyone's life that no matter how close someone travels to the finish line with you, they can't cross it for you. You must be your own motivation.
Tuesday, January 1, 2013
Day 1 of 1
Today marks the New Year, January 1, 2013 and while it is indeed day one of this year, it is safe to say that since no one knows the day or hour that each day we are blessed to wake up, it is day one for us all over again. We get a redo every day that we are granted life. If you failed yesterday, you can try again. If you were not your best self you have a chance to make amends. Time would not be broken down into seconds if God wanted us to count the hours or the days.
I remember when I was pregnant with my daughter there were days of panic just because I was terrified of dying before she was grown. Over the years especially after we moved to a state with no family around I would have these panic attacks. I had a note on my dashboard and back of my drivers license with instructions on who to call to make sure my child did not become lost in a foster system while they tried to contact my family. Not making it to tomorrow haunted me and I realized in my prayers today that it came from lack of trust which reduced my level of faith with God.
So now that we started today as day one, the question becomes what did you do with this day? I actually took it to rest and there was no guilt associated with sleeping for hours during a midday nap. I have no remorse about not taking the tree down today or for not completing the million course meal I had initially planned. I am even okay with the 25 minutes of exercise I did, it's better than the nothing I originally had planned for today!!!
Don't beat yourself up over goals that you set on day one and did not complete and don't feel you need to wait until next year to begin again. I picked up a one year bible that was gifted to me back in May and I started with Day 1 today, but in hindsight if I had started Day 1 back in May, I would be more than half way done with reading the bible in its entirety. We are instructed to live each day as our last, so with each new dawn we can press restart and begin again!!!
I remember when I was pregnant with my daughter there were days of panic just because I was terrified of dying before she was grown. Over the years especially after we moved to a state with no family around I would have these panic attacks. I had a note on my dashboard and back of my drivers license with instructions on who to call to make sure my child did not become lost in a foster system while they tried to contact my family. Not making it to tomorrow haunted me and I realized in my prayers today that it came from lack of trust which reduced my level of faith with God.
So now that we started today as day one, the question becomes what did you do with this day? I actually took it to rest and there was no guilt associated with sleeping for hours during a midday nap. I have no remorse about not taking the tree down today or for not completing the million course meal I had initially planned. I am even okay with the 25 minutes of exercise I did, it's better than the nothing I originally had planned for today!!!
Don't beat yourself up over goals that you set on day one and did not complete and don't feel you need to wait until next year to begin again. I picked up a one year bible that was gifted to me back in May and I started with Day 1 today, but in hindsight if I had started Day 1 back in May, I would be more than half way done with reading the bible in its entirety. We are instructed to live each day as our last, so with each new dawn we can press restart and begin again!!!
Monday, December 31, 2012
I've Learned
2012 began as the year of Journey for me and what I've learned is that you can still be in love with someone that has caused you pain and if you stop trying to "get over it" and instead just "get past it" you don't have to replace the love in your heart with bitterness. I have also learned that it is my hurt and no one can place a time limit on how long it takes my heart to heal. If I had lost my husband to death just a year ago, people would say she just needs time; well one of the most important parts of your life should not be bound by a clock. I learned how to Grieve.
I've learned that the broken hearted don't get a day off. There are no vacation days, sick time or bereavement. So I learned to cry silently in bathroom stalls on my breaks or in the shower not to alarm my child. I learned to put on a smile even if it didn't go with my outfit. I learned to make it through yet another holiday. I learned how to function off of no sleep. I learned that this is my New Normal.
I've learned that you can't change the past by wishing it would be different. You can talk about it forever but it will not change the facts. Now that you have the events memorized you must decide if they will forever have power over you or if you will decide to take power over them. I learned how to be My OWN Super Hero.
I've learned that two people can look at the same picture at the same time and see something totally different. Not making anyone right or wrong. I've learned to agree to Disagree.
I've learned that my value and status are not tied to my financial well being. Those that have money are poor in other areas and those that lack money are rich in other ways. I've learned my bank account does not determine my Worth.
I've learned that family is not always your friend and that some friends are more of your family and this is okay. We don't choose our bloodline. I've learned that I don't have to feel bad about being closer to my Circle.
I've learned that most people are too busy pointing out other's wrongs to recognize their own fingers pointing back at them. I am so guilty of this so I learned to look in the Mirror.
I've learned that not asking is not always enough, not accepting is also a requirement. I've learned that if it comes with conditions then it wasn't from the Heart.
I've learned that because of some serious abandonment issues that I have been seeking the approval of others ALL of my life. I've learned to Approve of Myself.
I've learned that I don't owe anyone an explanation for my decisions...good, bad or indifferent. I have to live with my choices, but as an adult I have learned to live with my Consequences.
I learned that parenting does not come with a handbook and that learning from my own errors as a parent, I learned to let my parents off the hook for all that I didn't think they got right. I have learned that people do their Best with the information they Have.
I learned that you can't make others respect you. I learned to Respect myself.
I learned that the goal of most parents is to see their child happy and that I feel the same, so when I get a chance to put a smile on my daughters face, I learned that it is worth making whatever SACRIFICE.
I learned that Sasha (my nickname for my weight) wasn't ready to go. I was already going through one major event in my life this year and I just was not ready to put in the work required to let go and she probably was my comfort at times. So I learned that sometimes you just can't do everything all at once. I've learned that losing weight is a lifetime event and that even when I am failing, I am still Trying.
This year has brought about lessons that I didn't necessarily set out to learn, but as I vowed to be transparent with my fears, shortcomings, pains, mistake, poverty, homelessness, domestic abuse and rape. As I unveiled the mask that I had become comfortable hiding behind it became uncomfortable for me as well as others that were accustom to me handling things quietly. When I learned that my Voice had volume and needed to be heard. That is when I learned that I was ready to GROW.
One of the most important things I learned over this year of Journey or JourNEI as I like to call it changing the end to represent my nickname. I learned that if your testimony reaches just ONE person then it makes your TRUTH worth sharing.
I've learned that you may not know My Story, like it or even understand it but if you know my GOD then you know I have LEARNED that he alone is ENOUGH!!!
I've learned that the broken hearted don't get a day off. There are no vacation days, sick time or bereavement. So I learned to cry silently in bathroom stalls on my breaks or in the shower not to alarm my child. I learned to put on a smile even if it didn't go with my outfit. I learned to make it through yet another holiday. I learned how to function off of no sleep. I learned that this is my New Normal.
I've learned that you can't change the past by wishing it would be different. You can talk about it forever but it will not change the facts. Now that you have the events memorized you must decide if they will forever have power over you or if you will decide to take power over them. I learned how to be My OWN Super Hero.
I've learned that two people can look at the same picture at the same time and see something totally different. Not making anyone right or wrong. I've learned to agree to Disagree.
I've learned that my value and status are not tied to my financial well being. Those that have money are poor in other areas and those that lack money are rich in other ways. I've learned my bank account does not determine my Worth.
I've learned that family is not always your friend and that some friends are more of your family and this is okay. We don't choose our bloodline. I've learned that I don't have to feel bad about being closer to my Circle.
I've learned that most people are too busy pointing out other's wrongs to recognize their own fingers pointing back at them. I am so guilty of this so I learned to look in the Mirror.
I've learned that not asking is not always enough, not accepting is also a requirement. I've learned that if it comes with conditions then it wasn't from the Heart.
I've learned that because of some serious abandonment issues that I have been seeking the approval of others ALL of my life. I've learned to Approve of Myself.
I've learned that I don't owe anyone an explanation for my decisions...good, bad or indifferent. I have to live with my choices, but as an adult I have learned to live with my Consequences.
I learned that parenting does not come with a handbook and that learning from my own errors as a parent, I learned to let my parents off the hook for all that I didn't think they got right. I have learned that people do their Best with the information they Have.
I learned that you can't make others respect you. I learned to Respect myself.
I learned that the goal of most parents is to see their child happy and that I feel the same, so when I get a chance to put a smile on my daughters face, I learned that it is worth making whatever SACRIFICE.
I learned that Sasha (my nickname for my weight) wasn't ready to go. I was already going through one major event in my life this year and I just was not ready to put in the work required to let go and she probably was my comfort at times. So I learned that sometimes you just can't do everything all at once. I've learned that losing weight is a lifetime event and that even when I am failing, I am still Trying.
This year has brought about lessons that I didn't necessarily set out to learn, but as I vowed to be transparent with my fears, shortcomings, pains, mistake, poverty, homelessness, domestic abuse and rape. As I unveiled the mask that I had become comfortable hiding behind it became uncomfortable for me as well as others that were accustom to me handling things quietly. When I learned that my Voice had volume and needed to be heard. That is when I learned that I was ready to GROW.
One of the most important things I learned over this year of Journey or JourNEI as I like to call it changing the end to represent my nickname. I learned that if your testimony reaches just ONE person then it makes your TRUTH worth sharing.
I've learned that you may not know My Story, like it or even understand it but if you know my GOD then you know I have LEARNED that he alone is ENOUGH!!!
Sunday, December 30, 2012
Signing Day
Signing day finally came. Void of emotion or maybe its shock. I've asked for something I never wanted for so long and now that I have it, I don't know how to react. I can't turn back because that would halt my future, but I'm having trouble releasing my past.
Saturday, December 29, 2012
Confessions of a Loner
This space is too crowded and I'm ready to go. My mind has switched off and I can't do it anymore. Quiet, conversations just not the same. Nothing left in common please just go away. I need my space; I recognize that being alone is where my peace of mind originates from.
Friday, December 28, 2012
A Mother's Loss
A family lost a loved one, but a Mother her child. She carried him for nine months with those new mother jitters, never with the expectation that life would take him first. We always ponder when things seem out of order, but God made up his mind back when we were designed. He knew who could handle continuing to live here on earth without the ones they love. While we will weep and you surely will be missed, we trust that God needed you more. The Lord knew for as hard as it seems that your Mom would rather see you go if it would stop the pain. That is a parents greatest sacrafice to let you go, so that you suffer no more. And now the day has come that we've said our final goodbye and talking to your Mom I know she will be okay. Her baby entered heaven today and we all know you are cutting up!!
Always Love, Forever Missed...Churon J. Webb 11/13/74 - 12/28/12
Always Love, Forever Missed...Churon J. Webb 11/13/74 - 12/28/12
Thursday, December 27, 2012
Doubt is your own worse Enemy
So last year you were the best of friends; completed each other sentences, could stand the foul smell of each other's poop and now just 365 days later you are complete strangers. You wonder if what you had before was make believe. Did you live in a world that only you could see? Doubt is your own worse enemy, it has you repeating why?? The hardest three letters to answer, since nothing said will ever explain and is probably not good enough to erase the pain. Doubt is the space you live when trust is lost, but you're still searching for a way to work it out. Trust me letting go is the only logical way to eliminate your own worse enemy.
Wednesday, December 26, 2012
Distance
I hear too often that the space keeps us strong; when it actually creates peace and that distance keeps you sane. My sole purpose for moving 700 miles away was because I was tired. Tired from always having something to do, tired of where my job was taking me, tired of myself for never learning the word NO. Tired of fighting with people over where my life should go. The distance gave me balance, it provided freedom for my life that I would have never achieved, but more importantly it gave me an out.
I read this status today from Hart Ramsey - "You're on a mission. So don't stop to fight useless battles with people who have nothing else to do but fight. They may say you're running. But you're not running from the fight. You're just running to your future. Pursue your purpose! Let them satisfy their need to fight with someone else."
I walk away because I'm just NOW learning how not to be afraid and it is too comfortable to stay in what is normal while wishing for something abnormal, something better, bigger and completely satisfying. PEACE and HAPPINESS even in my struggle that is what distance brings to me!!
I read this status today from Hart Ramsey - "You're on a mission. So don't stop to fight useless battles with people who have nothing else to do but fight. They may say you're running. But you're not running from the fight. You're just running to your future. Pursue your purpose! Let them satisfy their need to fight with someone else."
I walk away because I'm just NOW learning how not to be afraid and it is too comfortable to stay in what is normal while wishing for something abnormal, something better, bigger and completely satisfying. PEACE and HAPPINESS even in my struggle that is what distance brings to me!!
Tuesday, December 25, 2012
Christmas Storm
On the road again trying to bypass an approaching storm. Four to eight inches they presume, but I already feel buried under the storm. No matter how much you've changed people that hold a lifetime opinion of you will always view you the same. In my life if I'm bothered or even upset about an event my feelings are not considered valid. Funny how everyone else can openly express their annoyance, anger or past pains and some rudely would even like to tell you how you feel, but no status equals no voice. And contrary to popular belief I don't have to spend a lifetime holding a grudge or even disliking another; however if I did I'd be the first to say since there is no need to disguise how I feel. Loyalty trumps right from wrong, status equals respect and I'll help means don't you ever forget. Funny thing is I changed for me, just because I knew I was a better person and I accept and understand that I can't change another. I DON'T DESIRE TOO...however must you sacrifice being nice just to be You?
Monday, December 24, 2012
Family Feud
Playing games with family on this Christmas Eve. Talking loud, children screaming, parents fussing and teams cheating. Plenty of food, plates to go this is our holiday fun. Rematch, the men scream since the women always win!!! High five, spades or bid whiz whatever generates the most smack talk. Annoyed by those they drink the most cause ain't nothing worse than a drunk that won't hush. Family Feud the game we play, oh my how much its like our real life!
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