30 Days of Thanks-GIVE-ing 2016

Instead of doing 30 Days of Thanks (which I know all my friends on Facebook got tired of reading every day in November lol), a cohort of mine and I did instead something much more powerful:  “30 Days of Random Acts of Kindness.” 

Affectionately called:  30 Days of Thanks-GIVE-ing.

We held each other accountable by updating each other each day on what we did.  Below are the 30 Days of Random Acts of Kindness and also our comments we had for each other.  You can read our excitement through our words below and how impactful it was for us, yet alone the people receiving the random gifts:

Day 1 

Helped pack up decorations at my mom's friend's house

I bought a guy I didn’t know a couple of shots

We will rock it out! It's gonna be fun :)

Day 2

• I have 3 bags of clothing that I'm donating to a women's homeless support organization.
• I bought lunch for the guy behind me in line.

This is gonna be tough! But I'm excited! 

Day 3:

• We are doing birthday gift bags for families for the Food Bank and I donated $20 (only b/c i didn't have time to go buy things lol).
• I grabbed a pumpkin muffin and took it to my trainer (he's a pastry junkie!)...along with a thank you note I wrote out quickly...just to express how much of a difference he (and the other trainers) have made in my life.

I like hearing about yours b/c it helps me

I think that's why keeping each other updated is a great idea...because I know I'm going to struggle finding new ideas for 30 days!!! Sometimes the opportunity just presents itself...and sometimes we will have to rack our brains to find something cool!

:) im excited! I hope I don't miss even one day

Day 4:

• This morning...I bought a gift card when I was at Starbucks picking up my grande crack latte...and I gave it to the first friendly face I saw at work :)
• Yesterday I asked the janitor what his fav candy was and so I bought two snickers bars for him for today :) 

I went to CVS yesterday and was all excited about the possibilities! Have some ideas for future days! I am SO excited. What I didn't think do-able is coming to a reality! 

Awesomeness! So many people probably just look right past janitorial staff...so that is very nice that you treated him to a treat!

I loved the thankyou note for your trainer :)

It's only 4 days in...but I wake up in a good mood and looking forward to finding something fun/good to do for someone. I'm glad you're enjoying it, too!

I am :) And Im honored we are doing this together!

Day 5:

• Surprised my girlfriend today by buying lunch. It was an easy one...but I'm super preoccupied trying to get ready for vacation! Lol.
• My heart is beating fast for some reason about this, but I just paid $60 and ordered a swab testing kit so I can submit my "dna" to see if I’m a match in the future for someone who needs a bone marrow transplant or bone marrow cells.

Omg...that's crazy! How brave of you!!!

Day 6:

• One of my coworkers LOVES elephants, just like my Mom. I picked one out of my Mom’s collection today and brought it to my coworker this morning. She was practically in tears she was so happy :)
• We had a car service pick us up at 6:45 this morning to take us to airport. I gave him a cup of coffee and a Kind bar in case he had not had a chance to eat breakfast.

Wow. That is an incredible gesture. I know how difficult the loss of your mother has been for you...so for you to part with something of hers...it's a big deal. I love you and how big your ❤ is and how you're embracing Thanks-GIVE-ing!

Day 7: 

• I bought my friends’ husband a 24 pack of beer and surprised him last night.
• We bought appetizers and drinks for a honeymoon couple we met on Saturday, and yesterday I just walked around complimenting everyone I could. Trying to make people smile as much as possible!

Day 8:

• I bought a beautiful bouquet of flowers to give to this lady at work Monday that always smiling.
• "30 Days of Random Acts of Kindness continues for Thanks-GIVE-ing month. Handed this amazing bouquet to the lady in the cafeteria this morning who is always smiling and super nice to everyone she serves. i heard someone ask her if it was her birthday, i walked away with the biggest smile on my face”
• Today was our boat captains’ birthday...so after we disembarked, we invited them down to the local bar and bought some birthday rounds. They were amazed that we wanted to hang out with them after the charter.

Day 9:

You've been coming up with some good ones. I'm gonna surprise someone with flowers when I get home.

I'm trying! Lol. It's tough. The person will love them from you!

Day 10: 

• So yesterday we ate at the southernmost bar in the US...and it’s run by this adorable family. The 10-11 year old son brought us our food and was so helpful. We tipped him $20 on a $20 meal.
• Hadn't done anything major yet today, but I did just let Lily chew and play (and ruin) one of my fav socks! And we played tug of war, too! Hadn't done that in a long time

That's terrific. Dogs are people too...in my book at least!

Day 11:

• Today we were roaming around this little town and we stopped for ice cream. There was a veteran in front of us...and I paid for his ice cream.
• I was getting gas and noticed a lady that could not squeeze the handle b/c of arthritis or age and so I helped her. She was very emotional she needed help but of course he helped her. So sad. :(

Yesterday i bought some g/fs and some other items to be prepared for any random acts of kindness that arise each day. I have seen opportunities but didn't have things on me - now I’m prepared!

Day 12:

• Surprised my nail girl with a gift card tonight
• We did a zipline tour yesterday, and noticed that one group didn't tip our guides after the tour. It was a wet, windy day...so the guides were super focused on our safety instead of taking photos...and apparently that pissed those people off. So I tipped them extra to make up for the ungrateful bastards.

Day 13:

• Today we gave away our snorkel gear to some kids because obviously we don't need it at home...lol. They were super happy!
• Mailed this message and a cat candle to my friend today!

Day 14:

• Bought and gave two Starbucks gift cards to the front desk peeps at my gym today. Plus...I gave to a friends’ charity fundraiser.
• I did a lot at the tourney, but the most amazing thing was I bought packages of socks to give out if I saw anyone who could use them. As we drove to the tourney, a homeless guy was begging for money at a light. I pulled out the socks and held them out the window for him to grab and as he walked towards the car he figured out what it was and he started to dance l literally dance with joy! He was smiling SO big and he was SO happy with those socks!!!

Wow...who knew socks would make such a difference to someone? I guess it's the little things that you and I and everyone else take for granted! I didn't really find a good opportunity yesterday...so I'll have to double up today. I'll be headed to Target to get some socks!

Day 16:

• I just gave a Starbucks gift card to someone who is visiting our office and she always travels :)
• I've made plans to do a charity 5k on thanksgiving, donate plasma for the first time next weekend, and serve dinner to the homeless a couple days next week.

Day 17:

• I gave another package of socks this morning. It was raining and everything : ( then bought more packages after work just in case! And found a place that gives out turkeys, so looking into that soon :)
• Put this in one of the bathroom stalls at work today. An anonymous potty present!  Funny stuff...the winner just came running around to show everyone her surprise gift card. I had to sit here with a straight face and act totally surprised..LOL. Now people are running to check other bathrooms...hahahaha! I'm going to have to hide a few more over the next week or two! 

Day 18:

• I'm going to practice pool tonight...and I'm going to take flowers to the girl working behind the bar. I have no idea which gal is working...so it'll be a surprise for both of us when I walk in the door :)
• I've been at a conf this week and it's super cold in the room. I brought an extra sweater for one of the ladies to wear so she could be warmer, and told her to keep it and take it home to VA with her Friday. 

Day 19: 

• I'm shopping tonight...I finally have time! Toys for toy drive, components for homeless kits, and components for a care pkg for a friend who is going through a rough patch. Plus I'll be keeping an eye out for any small goodies or trinkets that might be fun to hide around the office or at the bus stop by my house. 
  
• Today I bought toys for the toy drive at work from Walmart. Still have a lot of gift cards to give out!

This task was daunting at first...the more we look around for opportunities...the easier it gets to come up with ideas! Sometimes the simplest ones are the most beautiful. I'm sending off my little pieces of Aloha today to the people whose names I drew from my FB post a couple weeks ago. So fun!

I get excited every day thinking of things! I think someoif these we would do anyway, but to find something every single day makes it more fun! The look on the faces have been priceless!

Day 20:

• I found a place that takes frozen turkeys.  I called today and told her I was coming buy to donate and she was SO happy and excited!
• A friend of mine is going on a cruise next week and I just called and was able to give them some gifts for when they get into the room! I sent them cheese, wine and champagne. And on their last night, they get a bottle of wine!

That is so special! They will be absolutely blown away. I love surprising people, too! I'm just usually horrible about keeping it a secret!

I just had a surprise sent to a friend...I think it ships today. I totally want to spill the beans...but it'll be better if I can just keep my mouth shut for a couple of days...LOL. I have a tournament this weekend...and I've got a couple of Hawaii gifts for friends that I'm looking forward to giving out :)

Day 21:

• Was practicing at the pool room last night and this homeless kid was just sitting outside. I told the gal working the counter to let him have whatever food he wanted...on me. He scarfed down a couple hot dogs...seemed real happy. Today...I dropped off some clothes to a friend who is collecting for homeless youths. He was so touched when I handed two bags full of stuff.  Maybe I’ll find a treat for our tournament director...who works super hard and just gets a hard time from all the complainers...lol.
• I gave a poker dealer a card with some giftcards

Day 22:

• Yesterday i saw a friend on fb wanted the new Adele CD so I bought that for her and had it shipped from target.com
• Today I asked the cashier at the cafeteria if she liked starbucks and she said she loved them so i pulled out my last giftcard for starbucks and gave it to her :)

she was so excited. :)

I saw the lady downstairs that I gave the flowers to, she shared with me they are still alive and beautiful :)

Day 23:

Melissa ordered me a very special gift as one of her Random Acts of Kindness!  I had planned a gift for her also, but she was clever and sent it in the middle of the month, instead of waiting until the end like I did.

She had trees planted in honor of my Mom.

I don't think I've ever been so moved IN MY LIFE. And i seriously can't stop crying. I am soooo moved!

No one has ever done anything like this for my mom and i.

I can't stop the tears ! You truly are an angel!

I didn't mean to make you cry...although I guess if I'd thought about it...I'm not surprised. You have thrown yourself so fully into our project...and I wanted to do something nice specifically for you. The idea of associating it with your mother came to me because I know this is a difficult time of year for you. Hugs!

I can't even begin describe what you did means to me. And how much. And hoe thoughtful. It was amazing to do something in her honor.

I'm so deeply deeply deeply moved.

I was expecting a gift card, instead, it stopped me in my tracks. I literally leaned on the counter and cried for abt 10 minutes straight, paralyzed. Then i leaned on the door and cried more. I didn't even read the note yet, and i was already so moved with the honor, then cried more after i read the personal note!

You're a fantastic person Melinda...and I'm so proud and honored that you've been doing this with me. And you've really taken it to a great level...so I'm happy that I got to do something meaningful just for you.

More crying. ....

YOU'VE taken it to a great level!

I feel the same about you!

Day 23:

• I just finally did the rest of the shopping for thanksgiving food for the low income families. We had 3 shopping carts...and had to break it up into 5 transactions to get the discounted price on the turkeys. I felt so bad for the people behind us in line...but what could I do? I was able to get enough for 6 dinners for families who can't afford it otherwise. We tried to explain it to the guy behind us...but he was just giving us that super annoyed face/attitude. Everyone is in such a hurry these days.
• Delivered the turkeys!

Day 24:

• I finally did the flowers thing...bought them for the pool room owners wife...who has had a rough year. But she wasn't here tonight...so I gave them to him to take home to her. He said "why are you so awesome?"  
• Mailed 5 surprise gift cards today!

Day 26-29:

• I sent those gift cards which was 5 days worth, but gave a friend $20 for gas yesterday, and also yesterday my other friend got her cruise surprises! And on thanksgiving i gave a friend a cross necklace, that matches the tattoo cross he got in honor of his Mom.
• Wednesday I passed out cute Xmas socks to the gala in the office and gave an anonymous gift card to someone who was having a bad day. Thursday, we went shopping after dinner and I bought a giant teddy bear for toys for tots...which we dropped off at the local fire station. Yesterday, I took a plate of leftovers to the kid working at the gas station right by our house. He works two jobs and didn't really get to have a good thanksgiving dinner with his family. And today...I was shopping at bed bath and beyond...and I had 7-8 extra 20% coupons with me. I passed them out to the people in line around me 

Day 30:

• My little sister just got engaged...and I paid for her engagement photos this weekend. I can't wait to see them! She was super excited and thankful. Also...bought Starbucks for the crew at the pool room yesterday. And today...I presented my boss with Boba Fett socks. She is obsessed with Star Wars...as am I...and she mentioned how she loves Boba Fett when we were talking last week. I just happened to find some socks with him on them this weekend...so I picked them up for her. She is completely in love with them.
• I got my gift yesterday when I got home from the tournament! Thank you so much...I was jumping up and down and hugging it like a little kid! I'm so excited...and will post a pic when I use it to pack my lunch the first time :)

I'm so glad you like it!  It's funny... i wanted the last thing to be for you, and when you did yours to me in the middle,  i was like,  damn,  she got me! 

After:

I have gift cards left, too...just have to find the right opportunity to hand them out. We did good, Melinda. I mean...this wasn't about patting ourselves on the back or anything...but I think it's ok to recognize the effort and thought that went into this project. I'm super proud of us :)

Melinda, I LOVED doing this with you each day! Each day letting each other know what random act of kindness we did was so heart whelming and fun! I am honored we did this together.

Here is Melissa’s blog about our 30 Days of Thanks-GIVE-ing

http://dragonladypoolplayer.blogspot.com/2015/12/30-days-of-thanks-give-ing.html?spref=fb

Marble Falls Trip

Visited lots of places for my weekend jaunt!

Each park gives you a map, and a permit for your car.  More details to come to save for my memories.

PIN

I've been struggling with my "purpose."

Thinking, I guess, if I had purpose it would help my depression.

No matter all I have going on, still not very happy and kinda depressed.  Getting a little better, but still a lot going on.

The other day I watched the 2rd of 4 episodes of Iyanla's House of Healing 4-part series.  I was able to watch the first, 3rd and 4th and throughout each I was bawling my eyes out.  It plays on Saturday nights, pretty pathetic to be home bawling on my coach on Saturday nights lol.

But, I admit it was just too emotional and heart-wrenching and close-to-home not to react like that.

The 4th and final episode Iyanla told the ladies of the House of Healing (8 ladies who needed help with some enlightenment and dire counseling and self-reflection), about "PIN."

Here is what she said:

Just like a personal identification number gives you access to your bank account, Iyanla says that the women in her House of Healing need a "PIN" to help them access the healthiest version of their lives once they return home. This particular "PIN" is an acronym meant to help each woman remember what they've learned in their work with Iyanla and to help keep them on the right track outside the House of Healing.

P: Purpose
"I don't mean your life purpose," Iyanla says. "I mean moment by moment by moment, what is the purpose of what you're doing? What is the purpose of what you're saying? Any time you open your mouth, you better be clear about your purpose."

I: Integrity
"[Check] that what you're thinking, what you're feeling, what you're saying and what you're doing are all in alignment," Iyanla says.

N: Nobility
"Good character, how you hold yourself within yourself, will determine the experience and circumstances of your life," Iyanla says.

While every single digit of the PIN is important and the P, I and N all hit home with me, the "Purpose" one was like a huge realization and something I really needed to hear right now.

Instead of trying to figure out why I should be living (purpose), I truly love the idea to remember my purpose for each day.  THAT I can do!  I can do that easily and actually makes me excited!

Re-enforces the saying, "One day at a time," huh?

Strong Significant Others

I recall a very poignant and heart breaking comment from my real Dad who shared with me that sometimes a person isn't strong enough for them at that time in their life, to be the best person for them, as their significant other.

Sometimes we need a strong partner to be the person on our arm. 

When I really deeply thought about it, it made sense.

And I saw what he meant, because my Dad's future wife was the strong, supportive woman that he needed in his life.  

While I am extremely jealous person by nature when I have a significant other, the one thing I really LOVE about myself is when an ex gets in another relationship after me, I never get upset, or feel jealous, or angry.

NEVER.

I'm never sad to see an ex happy.  I just know it meant we weren't right for each other at the time.  And I would be hopeful that their new interest would be the right person for them.

I think about what my Dad said.

Especially right now.  An ex immediately started to see a new girl after we broke up and they eventually got married.  While I did everything for this man, I was not the best person for him.  And when I see photos of him and her on FB, and read his words of love for her, I can tell that she is the better person for him in his life than I ever could be.

This isn't taking anything away from me.  I think I am a great woman!  But sometimes other people are stronger and a better "half" at certain points in our lives.

I see how his new wife is a strong-hold for him.  I see how she welcomes his family and prolly prompted him to reach out to them.  I actually like seeing their love for one another online - they deserve happiness (something he and I did not have for the last year of our relationship).

I am the first to admit I used to not be the best girlfriend in the world.  I wasn't mature enough to handle issues well.  I nagged a lot and worried more about my feelings, not how I was treating them - I was just immature and stupid, really.  Sure am glad I'm not that same person anymore!  Whew!

I truly and completely believe that some people DO need to be of certain strength and support of a person to help another;  to be the best significant other for them;  to be the right significant other.

Misses

I miss your intelligence.

I miss your mentor-ship.

I miss learning from you.

I miss hearing your laugh.

I miss reading your words.

My Dad's Ashes

My Dad's brothers and sisters were able to spread my Dad's ashes at my Grandmother's farm land (his Mom) last weekend.

I am OVERCOME with emotions how much this means to me.

My Aunt Bonnie and Uncle Charlie talked to him all the way down the row. I bawled when I saw these photos:

SO emotional...... I love them so much for being able to take care of him for me.

I'm a wreck.... but so happy they were able to do this.

My Grandmothers' and Great Grandfathers' ashes were also spread that weekend.  I can only imagine how tough that trip had to be for my Aunts and Uncles.

I had a conflict and could not go with them that weekend.  Maybe God knew it would have been too much for me right now.

Remembering my Dad on his Deathversary

9 years ago this very day, my Mom and I found my Dad, Thomas Bailey, passed away at their house in San Antonio. His biggest concern was always who would take care of the love of his life, my Mom, if something ever happened to him first. I was honored to take care of her for the next 5 years of her life for us. My Dad was always proud of me and always told me. That's hard to find nowadays. He was always very happy for me in my accomplishments in school and my career or when I could finally buy my first car. I miss you so much Dad! Give Heaven a hug from me. I love you!

Eating as a Child, Same as an Adult

I never liked rice if it wasn't white rice.  Even to this day, still don't.

So, when I would venture off campus during my senior year of high school with one of my friends, Blanca, to the Mexican restaurant in the mall, I would order cheese enchiladas (no onions, please), I would also say, "no rice."

So, they would bring me a side of lettuce and chopped tomatoes.  I think they did this for presentation.  Otherwise, the plate looked a tad bland with only two enchiladas and beans lol.  And so I eventually tapped into the lettuce and tomato as I took a bite of the enchilada.  It became a beautiful friendship that has stayed with me all these years.

And so here I am almost 30 years later and every time I order enchiladas (still with no onions), I ask for a side of lettuce and tomato in lieu of rice.

Here is a photo of a dinner I had just a week or so ago: 

Still a child :)

Pappasitos.

Gene Wilder Selflessness Thinking of the Kids

Touching article to read.


Gene Wilder thinking of others.

Here is the except that touched my soul (and it about to touch yours):

"In a new interview with NPR’s Robert Siegel, Wilder’s nephew Jordan Walker-Pearlman explains that his uncle kept his Alzheimer’s diagnosis a secret because he feared that, were it to become public, it would begin to interfere with his ability to bring smiles to people’s faces even in retirement. “This decision was not as a result of vanity,” said Walker-Pearlman. “There were times we would go out to dinner as a family and children would light up at the sight of him and smile. And because he never lost his instinct or sense or sensibility, it occurred to him that if that disease were made public … that then after that smile, some parent may then say something about disease or sadness. And he was such that he could not bear to be responsible for one less smile in the world.”"

Read the rest of the article here.

Addiction Points to Share

This very short article on Elizabeth Vargas is very spot on. 

For those of us with addiction issues, we understand completely and can relate to what she is saying so candidly and openly.

For her to say, "I couldn't stop drinking for my children" is something I hope spouses and loved ones really, really take in to their already hurt heart.

Many people don't understand why their spouse, parent, or adult child still drinks or does drugs even though they have people around them who love them.  It can tear families apart.

But, it's true. 

And unfortunately that's the power of addiction. 

An addict isn't thinking of their kids or spouse as they drink or shoot up.  Why?  Because the drug is more powerful.  Doesn't mean they don't love you.  Just explains how deep addiction is.  It's a disease.

And if you aren't an addict yourself, this is completely confusing and you don't understand.

Elizabeth Vargas is sharing the true nature of the grip addiction can have. 

Just that short article is very powerful in what she shares.  Such as,

• "Addiction is a hopeless, dark place," she says. "I have great empathy for people trapped there."
• "You're removing the capacity to be present, not just in the bad moments," she said. "You're numbing the good feelings. You're numbing everything. It's profoundly selfish."

Sticking Alone During Depression

I mentioned to a friend of mine a few weeks ago that I was depressed.  Her response was, "Well, why didn't you reach out to me?  You know you can call at any time."

It got me thinking.... and made me realize.... that all the times I've been depressed, I never reach out to anyone.

When we are depressed we don't think, "dang, I sure want to call someone."

No.

We actually don't want to call anyone at all.  Sometimes we wont even answer the phone if we are too deep in depression.  So, why would it possibly cross my mind to call someone to talk?  We don't even think to call a friend to go hang out.  It's just not what we think about or how we feel when we are depressed.

We might eventually realize we need to seek advice or help after months or years, but at first and for awhile, we are too busy feeling bad/sad/depressed to even think of reaching out to friends for some relief or distraction.

Depression is a "lone disease."  We want to be alone. 

Perspective on Purpose

I've been having a tough time lately.

Back to my old self of feeling like I have no purpose.  Could really care if I live or die, honestly.

Even though I have a lot of cool, different things going on, I still have no desire or care to live.

Don't worry, I'm not getting out the wrist-cutting sharp objects, but I can tell you I'm not scared to die at all if something weird like a car accident happens.  I even envision driving off a bridge, lol.

So, imagine my confusion when I'm talking to a friend who has throat cancer.  As Sophia on the Golden Girls would say, "Picture This:"

• He has no family.  AT ALL (no children or living parents or relatives)
• He literally lives out of his van
• Funds are being raised so he can at least be in a hotel while he gets treatment, but those funds will be used up in a month.  (he needs a clean place and electricity to use his pumps and feeding tube)
• He has no job, and barely gets by, except with the occasional winning of a weekly pool tournament 
• He literally owns only the clothes he's wearing (which don't fit him any more), and he has no valuables or keepsakes.

And here is this man in his late 50s or early 60s telling me he's going to fight.  He's not giving up. 

Even hearing all that, still doesn't give me the desire to look forward to life and living, but for some reason, he has more spirit than I do.  And he has about 99% less things than I do.  And not just physical things, but other "things" - I have good friends, great job, projects I'm working on, trips coming up, etc.

I really have a great life.  People would kill to have this life.  And yet.... I don't care to fight to live lately.

People Don't Have to Like You

I think a lot of people get upset when they find out someone doesn't like them.  And they spend a lot of wasted time trying to figure out why.

I was pretty lucky - for whatever reason in my twenties, I was taught or read somewhere that not everyone's going to like you during your lifetime.  And that's actually very okay!

It's fine not to be liked by everyone.  And if you think about it, I think it'd be kind of weird if every single person we ran across in our lifetime did like us, right?

The reason why I write this today is because I saw this quote on Facebook:

And then someone commented this:

"I have a real problem with number 2. If my worst enemy has disdain for me, I drive myself crazy trying to figure out why. Definitely loose sleep over it as well.."

And it made me realize how thankful and grateful I am that whatever I heard or read or was taught in my twenties helped me realize that it's okay when people don't like me.   Because of course not everyone likes me.  Or you. 

I was able to sleep many a night because I learned that it's actually a pretty normal thing.  As you can see, that person is being tormented and it's so unfortunate.  They are inadvertently punishing themselves wondering why someone doesn't like them, when it's pretty normal at some points in our lifetime.

Sure, maybe the reason is something we can work on to improve or better ourselves, but unless they are a good friend who can maybe offer advice, don't even sweat it you aren't liked by all.

End of August

Last day of August.

Thank goodness.

Tough month for many reasons already mentioned, and new reasons that cropped up.

Surviving.  I'm so busy with so many different things, I know that's a blessing.  Hate nights, tho - that's when the brain wont shut off.  Yet, I like sleep!  And I'm so much more productive after getting good, long sleep time.

Oh well.

August 19th

The day on the calendar I hate most - the day my Mom passed away.

While putting those words on FB, many friends and people who love me (I hope lol) commented with warm thoughts and virtual hugs.  A few people offered solutions, which in my opinion is the last thing I think people should do when we are grieving on tough days.

We honestly don't want to hear to "move on" or "it's the cycle of life, stop being angry" or "she wouldn't want you sad" or "good things happen on those days too."

Funny, no one knows my Mom and she would NOT want me happy on these days about her, lol. 

Here is what I put on FB:

"I hate today. The day my Mom passed away. It was also a Friday, & only 5 years ago the docs told me she was dying. They asked me her wishes, & I said thru brutal tears she wants to not be hooked up in a hospital and instead be comfortable in hospice. Being able to speak for your loved ones when they can't is a GIFT! My Mom told me her wishes for many years. I beg everyone to have this tough conversation so you can speak for your loved ones, when they can't, & you won't be in turmoil with a decision... It would be their wishes, & you will be proud to speak up.

I love and miss you more than life itself, Mom. Every day without you is painful. Thank you for always loving me. I LOVE YOU. ♡♡♡♡"

So, let me share just a few of the AWESOME comments I received that really touched me and meant a lot today:

• I know today is hard for you. Take comfort in the fact that you did the absolute right thing at the right time because you DID have that difficult talk with your mom. Her unconditional love for you allowed her to be at peace, without you having to make those decisions. I'm here if you need to talk. Love you much!
• I share your advocacy story with everyone I talk to. I will make sure my final wishes will be known as well. I believe it is very important and a powerful message. I would do everything in my power to fulfill those requests for someone, regardless of my personal feelings. Thank you so much for sharing!
• Thinking of you this day. Prayers for comfort
• Love and hugs. She would be so proud of you and your accomplishments and to know you use your voice to make the world a better place.
• God Bless. Not a single day passes w/out thinking of my pops who died wayyy too early. Im thankful The Man Upstairs allowed him as much time as He did. I like to think of it as a Blessing. Im sure the same could be said of your mom. She raised a heck of child.
• Hugs, kisses & lots of love for you. You're right... Speaking for your loved ones in a time of need like that means so much to them. It's a peace of mind that everyone should have. Hang in there, mama certainly broke the mold with you!
• I still say a prayer for her. I know she was a beautiful woman because she left you in her place. I luv you so much. 
• Bless you Melinda. Your Mom is waiting for you in heaven! She must have been a really wonderful person to have raised such a wonderful, giving back, pool loving, assisting friends, overall big-hearted daughter! You are special. So was your mom. 
• Sending hugs your way. I'm thankful that you have the strength to share that message with us. Even through your pain you're helping so many others. 

18 Leadership Principles by Colin Powell

The framework of Retired General Colin Powell’s leadership philosophy rests on 18 lessons/principles that is mentioned often in literature all around the world:

Deeming these 18 principles to be extremely important, and applicable in nearly every leader’s work, I am hereby including them all:

1. “Being responsible sometimes means pissing people off.”
2. “The day soldiers stop bringing you their problems is the day you have stopped leading them. They have either lost confidence that you can help them or concluded that you do not care. Either case is a failure of leadership.”
3. “Don’t be buffaloed by experts and elites. Experts often possess more data than judgment. Elites can become so inbred that they produce hemophiliacs who bleed to death as soon as they are nicked by the real world.”
4. “Don’t be afraid to challenge the pros, even in their own backyard.”
5. “Never neglect details. When everyone’s mind is dulled or distracted the leader must be doubly vigilant.”
6. “You don’t know what you can get away with until you try.”
7. “Keep looking below surface appearances. Don’t shrink from doing so (just) because you might not like what you find.”
8. “Organization doesn’t really accomplish anything. Plans don’t accomplish anything, either. Theories of management don’t much matter. Endeavors succeed or fail because of the people involved. Only by attracting the best people will you accomplish great deeds.”
9. “Organization charts and fancy titles count for next to nothing.”
10. “Never let your ego get so close to your position that when your position goes, your ego goes with it.”
11. “Fit no stereotypes. Don’t chase the latest management fads. The situation dictates which approach best accomplishes the team’s mission.”
12. “Perpetual optimism is a force multiplier.”
13. Powell’s Rules for Picking People: “Look for intelligence and judgment and, most critically, a capacity to anticipate, to see around corners. Also look for loyalty, integrity, a high energy drive, a balanced ego and the drive to get things done.”
14. “Great leaders are almost always great simplifiers, who can cut through argument, debate and doubt, to offer a solution everybody can understand.” (borrowed from Michael Korda)
15. “Use the formula P=40 to 70, in which P stands for the probability of success and the numbers indicate the percentage of information acquired. Once the information is in the 40 to 70 range, go with your gut.”
16. “The commander in the field is always right and the rear echelon is wrong, unless proved otherwise.”
17. “Have fun in your command. Don’t always run at a breakneck pace. Take leave when you’ve earned it: Spend time with your families. Corollary: Surround yourself with people who take their work seriously, but not themselves, those who work hard and play hard.”
18. “Command is lonely.”

The (new) Love of Nature

I adore that part of my love of life is the love of the outdoors.  Yet, it's shocking to me that those feelings evaded me for over 20 years.

I grew up on weekends in the Texas Hill Country, along the Frio River, from the time I was a cute little tomboy of 8-years-old into my teens up until 18-years-old. My Mom and I (and eventually my Step-Dad) would go camping there almost every other weekend for over 10 years.

That's when I was surrounded all the time by the beauty of the outdoors.  However, the conditions you grow up in, you don't really reflect on them or realize how important they are in your life, until later in life. 

I didn't have appreciation for the outdoors until I got older; until I missed it; until I remembered it again.

I starting working in my career right out of college in San Antonio.  While I moved to Jacksonville, FL for 2 years in the late 1990s, I still didn't really venture out into the outdoors.  Then I moved to the DFW-area and didn't really do much outdoor things as well for the next 15 years.

I think there are many, many reasons why I didn't venture outdoors for the last 25 years:

• my passion in life was an indoor sport, so I was normally in a pool room on the weekends, not even thinking about fishing or hiking or camping.
• my boyfriends over the years in my 20s and 30s were not from the country and not into "outdoor things."
• I didn't have kids, as I think many families go camping together.
• I didn't even own any camping gear or a fishing pole.
• and I moved away from the most familiar outdoor place I would have gone to easily:  the Texas Hill Country.

While I still loved sunsets and adored animals and nature, I just didn't contemplate doing things outdoors such as hiking or camping.

As I look back, I sure wish I did.  That was a lot of wasted years indoors! 

I finally "noticed" the outdoors again just last in the last few years.

I stepped away from playing so much pool, went camping a few times a couple of years ago, and started to exercise more by hiking and walking.  Last year I starting to scope out parks and hiking spots in North Texas where I could simply take in the outdoors and all it's beauty.  Like, walking along lakes, hiking along streams, fishing spots, etc etc etc.  Turns out there are A LOT of great parks and lakes in the area that I can visit and be in awe with nature!  I have written about a few already (like Eagle Mountain Lake).  But there are SO MANY around here, wow!  Not to mention so many more not IN the area. 

I even went camping and fishing along the Frio River last year and it was amazing!  Had a fab time with the familiarity and lots of history flooding into my heart and soul those few solo days.

It saddens me that I "forgot" my appreciation for the outdoors all those years.  But, my circumstances in life kinda of led me to that.  I'm just glad I realized it again!   I am very thankful to have been reminded how much I adore the outdoors and it's reinvigorated my passion and love for it.  It brings me such peace and happiness.

I'm such a blessed person to have grown up surrounded by the beauty on nature.  Nothing can take away my memories.... and the new ones I'm making outdoors taking in the sweetness of nature around me.

Acceptance of Aging

"Acceptance" is probably the biggest thing for me right now in my life.

Why now?

Well, because I'm at that age where things are starting to fall apart.  lol.  And, I cant do anything about it!

Trust me - I've tried. 

I've bought a shit-ton of different types of creams and "magic solutions" to hide my new large pores, pills to make my hair grow, plethora of un-satisified new/magical foundation is spread all over my bathroom counter tops, and dog-eared pages in magazines are scattered across my house for potential solutions to all these newly discovered aging "things."

Instead of being depressed about all these new aging things though, I've decided the better (oooh, smarter!) thing to do to keep me from wallowing is to be in a place to "accept."  It's not a place I want to be honestly, but it's actually a very good spot to be for my mind.... almost spiritually.

As is always a good reminder -

God, grant me the serenity to accept the things I cannot change,

Courage to change the things I can,

And wisdom to know the difference.

So, what are some of these age-denying/defying things I am trying to accept?  Well, let's see:

• Accepted my metabolism has slowed down to a crawl  (and yet I hear it eventually will stop - more fun times ahead lol.  not).
• Accepted my pores had widened to the size of the Mississippi River all of a sudden  (I swear there weren't there on my nose before).
• Accepted my face gets shiny by the end of the day  (never did that before - why am I so shiny now?).
• Accepted mood swings are in full force (sucks to go from happy to sad for no reason.  Thank you pre-menopause).
• Accepted I prolly wont ever get a full night of sleep ever again (who needs sleep - oh wait, where's my 8 hours?!)
• Accepted parts of my body sag where they didn't sag before (I've now got handbags in certain areas under my clothes).
• Accepted I may or may not get my period (but always must be prepared just in case).
• Accepted I know now what I look like with jowls ($#%^*(@$#!).
• Accepted it's tougher to get out of bed and that I walk a lot slower when I have to pee in the middle of the night (even though my bladder would prefer I run, my body just isn't as nimble and quick as it used to be).
• Accepted my hair just doesn't seem to grow anymore (I should just stop wasting money on the vitamins that aren't working for that).
• Accepted eyelids droop over my eyeballs (eventually I wont be able to see.  Oh, and my eyelids are no longer the same shape or size on my face).
• Accepted arms wave a lot more now (not quite sure I have fully accepted this but I still wear sleeveless shirts anyway lol waving hello and goodbye to people).

Like my neighbor who is 70 said to me this week, "no matter how many times I walk at the mall with my husband, I can't lose weight anymore."

I remember when I was a 30, a 65-year-old guy was barely eating any food at all for lunch and quipped, "even if I eat a little I still can't lose weight at this age."

My female friends in their 50s and 60s say they cannot get rid of the "weird" tummy that formed on their once-slim bodies, no matter what they do.

They also tell me they could care less if they ever had sex again or not.  Say it isn't so!

I admit I have been sitting at home pretty upset at all these changes that literally occurred over just a few months time period.  That in itself is shocking, honestly:  that's a lot of different changes to take in at once.  But.... I finally figured out the amazing feeling of "acceptance" and have held my jowled, pored face up a little higher since then.

Sure, I can get botox (already do - who doesn't?) and I could exercise more for some of the things I mentioned, but most are things we just have to accept as we age.  And it's a HUGE adjustment.  Get ready!  It's not easy or pretty.  And I have a feeling in my mid 50s I'll be sharing MORE age-related nuances I will be finding out in 10 years.

While it's tough to share these things, I wish I knew I'd be going through them all, so I'm sharing for others.  I knew metabolism would be an issue as we age, but all these face skin changes were a shock for me.

Hope this helps one person as they reach their mid to late 40s as well.

Happy Birthday, Mom!

Thank you for visiting me in my dreams often and saying hello!  I hope you have a great great birthday in Heaven!

I love you, buttercup.

Who Are You At Your Funeral?

Everyone talks a lot about how much money they wish they could make. And if they don't talk about it, they probably think about it.

However one of my friends made a very enlightening comment to me about money and death. He said he was at the funeral of rich man and when people came up to the microphone to talk about the gentleman, they didn't talk about his wealth or how much money he made or how many toys he bought. Instead what people talked about was his character and what a great guy he was.  You would never have known sitting in the audience how wealthy the man was.

"I was at a funeral a long time ago where the description of a certain persons' life represented huge triumph’s, helping others, selflessness, etc.  He was also extremely well to do, but that was not mentioned nor even remembered.  Rather the impact he left behind on the world. "

I think it's a very amazing and interesting point he shared with me. Because you see, the person that told me this is actually a wealthy man himself. And he would rather be remembered and talked about for who he was and how he treated people, rather than how much money he made.

Obviously affecting others’ lives positively and making a difference is more important to us individually than how large our bank account is or what car we drive.

What’s even more interesting to me about his thoughts about this is, I wonder if the thoughts crossed his mind because he now has money?  I don’t have a lot of money and this has never, ever crossed my mind. Or, is it that I've never thought about what people might say at my funeral about me? Or, was he impressed at that funeral how much the guy had touched so many lives, even though his wealth wasn't mentioned?

Either way. Something to think about..... your impact to those around you.

Down Before Up

While I don't finish reading many books, I do start them, lol.  And some of the most highly recommended have all started out very similar from the different authors:

They were at the depths of depression... yet, not even any further down to go - they were at the last depths, barely even surviving or living, or wanting to live.  For years, usually not getting out of bed or in some halfway house full of despair and loss for life.

Then all of a sudden something happened to them and their thoughts.  And those "new" and inspiring thoughts turned their lives around, and now the lives of others as they write about their new found way of thinking.  Passing it on to others via word of mouth at first, then public speaking, then to the books I tried to read.

Both stories started out the same, even though the result was also the same ("inner peace" is what I will call it).  And while each concept to get to inner peace was remarkably different, the point is they started out for a very long time at the depths of despair and then somehow climbed out with calmness and peacefulness, reaching through the cobwebs of depression to bring them on this new path of thought. 

I felt this way recently.  While not quite super depressed like I have been in the past (clinically depressed), I was having a miserable time a couple of weeks ago.  Laying in bed crying and unhappy.  I know part of the reason is due to being pre-menopausal, it was still almost paralyzing.

And then, I read a few things from my phone that kinda changed my thinking.  And while I can't recall exactly what I read (some articles about recovery, tho), it made me think differently.  And then I all of a sudden decided to climb out of bed and go do what I love to do.  And not let outside influences affect my great life, and go and enjoy the great life I have.

My depths were not as deep as the authors obviously, but I too noticed a HUGE difference after that "down to up."  I was more talkative to strangers, laughed more, funnier on Facebook, making jokes with people I didn't know, being more friendly.

I really LIKED that person in me.

Usually she only comes out at the poker table, where I feel like I'm "in my element" (comfy), but this time I was in Vegas having fun and joking and making others smile (which in turn made me smile of course).  I was talking and laughing and smiling more to the dealers and waiters.  I don't know where this person was before - I haven't really seen her in many years.  Don't even remember what she looked like honestly.  But, I loved the way she FELT!

Because I don't get out much I don't get to see this side of me/her, I've noticed I need to "remember" I can actually laugh and smile.  Sometimes even force a smile at work when I'm tired - because just last week I was all personality.  I can still be that person even when tired, right?  While not an extrovert naturally, it is in me.

I hope she isn't going away.  I really liked that about me/her and had so much fun!  And those around me were smiling and laughing, too!  It made me so happy!

August, Ugh

While I mentioned back in Feb that that month out of the year is a difficult month for me, it's not actually the toughest for me.  August is actually the toughest.

And here I sit, on this first day of August, thinking about what lies ahead of me:  My Mom's birthday (August 6th) and my Mom's deathdate (August 19th).

It's amazing to me how much this woman meant to me and how much my life became paralyzed because of my deep love for her.

I'd like to look at August as this:  if my Mom hadn't been born this month, then I wouldn't have been born!  So, I should look at this month as a GOOD month.  While I will try, I can tell you that come August 6th and 19th, I will not be myself at all.

Whatever "my self" is nowadays.

Hate Versus Love

My biological Father and I hadn't seen each other in over 20 years when I finally invited him and his wife to visit me in Texas when I was 35.

When you see someone in person for the first time in that long of a separation, you finally get to ask the questions that have been on your mind, that you could never truly express in an email or phone call.

The second day of his visit, we were sitting on my back porch and the topic of my Mom came up; his ex wife.

He and his new wife had this "vision" of my Mom - that she went out for blood back in the late 1970s.  But in reality, she was a paralegal at a law firm and THEY went after him.  But, she never wanted his money.  She wanted /him/.  But all they saw was the numerous lawyer letters and forms.

My Dad didn't make that much money back then and here comes the child support and ex-spouse support.  While they didn't know why my Mom "went after them," we had no idea how poor they lived for years and sacrificed because of it.  I didn't find out until that weekend how tough it had been for them.

My Dad sat there, smoking his stupid cigarette and asked me on this cool, crisp, beautiful morning, "Why did your Mom hate me so much?"  Without skipping a beat I answered, "she doesn't hate you, she loves you."

He looked back at me, stunned.  Absolute shock at what I just said to him.

It was one of the most poignant exchanges I've had with a person.

I don't think he ever thought about it that way.  And I never thought about it from his point of view, but then how could he?  How could he know that all I ever heard while growing up was how broken-hearted my Mom was.  She missed him more than life itself.  Even 30-40 years later, she still thought about him and still talked about how much she missed him.  She never understood why he left, and she never got over it.

Oh, "hate" was not the word.  Love was.  "Love" was the word.

Last Hurrah

They say right before death for ill people, that they have a "last hurrah" moment.  It's written about often in literature and articles.  Something they normally wouldn't have the desire or energy for.  Or, for some, they seem to have a moment of recovery.  Some people say it's God's way of giving last time to say a an informal goodbye. 

This was my Mom's - first time in 3 years she said yes to eating out with me!  Almost exactly a month later, she would leave me and the world behind.  This was at Carrabbas!  We had such a great day shopping at Macy's and eating out.  <3 p="">
This was July 12th, 2011:

Cancer Sucks

Heartbreaking when you get two calls in a week about cancer.

One of my friends' wife was diagnosed with lung cancer.   They just found out and he shared the news with me this week.  I teared up as he told me Thursday, "she's my best friend and the love of my life."  He's trying to stay positive and he says his wife is being a trooper, but she's very fragile.  I feel so badly they are going through this.

And then... I got off the phone bawling Friday afternoon.  My friend just found out that day he has throat cancer.  He said, "I just wanted to call you and tell you I love you."  He's never told me that before, til today. 

He also said he's not scared or depressed, and that he's lived a great life.  "If it takes me, it takes me."   I told him we could all learn something from him.  I was astonished with his words.  He's still going to fight it, but he's being very calm at the moment.

Heartbreaking... 

I Was Sexually Harassed

I am a statistic of sexual harassment in the work place.

Gretchen Carlson's 'coming out' inspired me to share my story.

I work in a very male-dominated field.  When I entered my job (career) fresh out of college back in 1992, there were very few females around.

I was told things like, "don't share if you have car problems, it shows weakness and that you can't do things on your own."  Whereas now I share this information to GET advice.  The difference between 'back then' and 'now' is light years.

This also included how guys spoke about and to females in my office.

One of my coworkers started to make direct, rude comments to me about my body.  I got so uncomfortable with his words, it got to the point where I was scared to go into work in fear of running into him.  I was literally afraid of what he might say to me each day.

Instead of coming in early to relieve him on shift, for example, I would wait until the last minute to walk in so he wouldn't have any extra time to make rude and lewd comments that were deeply affecting me.  He started to leave voicemails on my home phone, "where are you??" even though I still had a few minutes to walk in the office door.

The guy would say things like this to me at work:

• you need to eat more so your chest will grow
• wear shorter skirts so you can show more
• I searched the bar parking lots on Friday night to see if your car was there
• my son has a really big dick
• I bet your cherry is already popped

One time he had the audacity to show photos of his wife in a bathtub to our coworkers.  When I asked others about it, they would all say, "oh, that's just how he is."  Even though I could tell they were uncomfortable and didn't want to see his nude wife.

I was very intimidated and petrified so I just did the only thing I knew how:  tried to avoid him.  My boyfriend at the time noticed how much I changed - depressed and scared and didn't want to go to work.  He finally told me, "you are being sexually harassed."

"I am?"  At that time in the early 90s, that term wasn't even commonplace.  All I knew was that I was scared to death to see the guy or be around him for fear of what he might say about me or my body.  I had a lot of anxiety and fell into depression.

My boyfriend suggested I talk to my boss.  So..... I did.  My boss said to me, "well, sexual harassment can depend on a lot of things and interpretation.  For, example did he say you looked nice in an outfit?"

I shared what all he actually said to me and my boss looked at me dead in the eye disappointed and said, "yes, you are being sexually harassed.  I will talk to him."

After he was 'talked to,' he apologized to me (you could tell he got a verbal whipping) and he said he would never speak to me again about anything except work-related things.  We still had to brief each other between shifts sometimes, but from that point on he never said anything else and he left work promptly.

The only thing he added after the apology was, "I wish you would have talked to me first."

In my opinion, that statement revealed a lot.  It proved I was not comfortable to talk to him about my anxiety and issues with him (who confronts or tries to talk to an aggressor?) and it proved he had no idea how difficult it had been for me.  While I understand he was upset at me for getting him 'in trouble,' I could barely be around him without being scared or nervous.  Why in the world would I have the courage to say anything to him when I felt like a turtle hiding, not able to speak, scared of him, and trying to avoid him?

I think he was just comfy at work and that's how he spoke to everyone.  He had no idea how damaging his words were, though.  I was right out of college and thrown into what seemed like a pit of snakes.  And all my coworkers just accepted his lewd behavior.

One of the coworkers kinda defended him, "you didn't have to get him in trouble, ya know."  I got mad and snapped at him, "HE SEXUALLY HARASSED ME!" I shouted in tears defending myself, and the guy slithered away.  I had finally defended myself, even if to the wrong person.

Little did I know 3-4 years later I would experience sexual harassment again, in the same office, but with a different individual.

Our office was moved some 60 miles away and there was a lot of turn-over with the staff.  One of the new guys made me feel VERY uneasy.  He was always staring at me and looking at me all day long and he made me feel very uncomfortable.  One day I had a pendant on my necklace and he asked me about it.  Then all of a sudden he reached right towards me and lifted it up off my chest to take a closer look at it.  While that may seem innocent, he actually touched my breast, and I immediately went into turtle mode and stood there frozen in fear.

I finally confided and vented often to a coworker/friend how paralyzed and petrified I felt around him.  I was nervous to be in the same room with him because he made me feel so uneasy, even with others around he was very menacing to me.

I wasn't the type of girl to say, "stop that!" I instead was the type who got scared and froze in those situations.  He was older, bigger, intimidating, and I was mentally frail and scared.

We had a 'workshop' one afternoon in the office about EEO and sexual harassment in the work place.  In that class (that he did not attend btw), that coworker I confided in heard this:  "sometimes you have to speak up for others."

One day I come into work and I'm blindsided - my boss wants to talk to me.  I walk in her office and also sitting there is the boss of the guy who was sexually harassing me.

My friend had told them what was happening to me and they wanted to know if it was true.

Yes.

All true.

I didn't come forward because of the backlash from this guy.  If he got mad at me for 'telling on him,' how would he treat me then?  I was already so intimidated and scared to be around him.

The bosses were disappointed I had been treated that way and been through it.  I begged them not to say anything to him, but they said they had to.  The staring and 'looks' continued but he stopped talking to me and other females in the offices, luckily.

I thanked my coworker for speaking up for me, because I was too shy and afraid to do it myself.

Almost 10 years later, I was at a new office and word got around that a guy who had been sexually harassing women was to be reassigned to our office.  When I heard this, I LOST it.  I got upset, crying, raising my voice how I could not be around someone like that again!  It's amazing how affected I was at just the thought of having to deal with that again.

(for the record this new employee has yet to make comments to me personally, but a few female visitors have felt uncomfortable because of him and his words).

One thing we were taught in that 'class:'  if you wouldn't say something to a coworker with their spouse or your spouse standing there, then you should never say it.  That's kind of the 'thermometer' for situations.

As you are reading this you may think these aren't /that/ uncomfortable situations.  But I can tell you that as I type all this out my heart is racing and I have anxiety just thinking about it.  Those instances were very traumatic for me in the workplace.

And, if you have daughters or sisters, I can guarantee you wouldn't want them to feel this uncomfortable.

I am just grateful things have changed in the workplace, and that I always had supportive bosses for when I did finally talk to them. 

#standwithgretchen

Telling Others; Tell Them, too

I thought I was a great kid, that grew up into a responsible woman.  But my Mom never told me she was proud of me.  And yet I yearned for that for some reason.

I didn't do drugs, went to college, never got in trouble, had a great job, and yet I never knew if she was happy about me or not.  Or proud of me, even.

One day home for a weekend visit, I got upset about something and snapped at my Dad about how I never got any feedback from my Mom.

Don't get me wrong, I knew how much she loved me and she told me all the time, but I never knew otherwise how she felt about me.

When I snapped at my Dad, he looked at me real funny.  "Your Mom tells people all the time she's proud of you.  Brags to everyone about you.  How you finished college, have your own apartment, have a great job, etc."

I looked at him through tears and confusion.  "WHAT?  REALLY?"

I ran to my Mom in the other room and hugged her tightly.  She was confused, and asked me, "what, Melinda?"

I replied crying in her chest, relieved, "You ARE proud me!"

She loosened my grip on her body and pushed me away from her so she could look directly into my eyes, "well, of course I'm proud of you.  Look at you and all you've already accomplished!"

And I confided with hurtness, "but you never told /me/.  I had no idea."

She grabbed me and hugged me back tightly.  She felt bad I had been hurt and confused.

After that crucial point in both of our lives, she was more complimentary to me.  Further, every card I received from her that day forward had the word "proud" in it.  :) 

A Therapists Prescription for Better Mental Health

Copy, Paste:

From a link I came across..... A Therapists Prescription for Better Mental Health:

1. Treat yourself with kindness.
2. Say “no” when you need to.
3. Step out of your comfort zone.
4. Don’t compare yourself to others.
5. Embrace your mistakes, they don’t define you.
6. Be truly present.
7. Get outside.
8. Cut yourself some slack.
9. Make rest a priority.
10. Make fun a priority, too.
11. Savor good memories.
12. Make new friends.
13. Laugh often.
14. Create something.
15. Anticipate joy.
16. Appreciate what you have.
17. Learn from your mistakes.
18. Write down your successes.
19. Clear out physical and emotional clutter.
20. Move your body more.
21. Pursue a hobby.
22. Put your phone down and connect with the people you’re with.
23. Confide in trustworthy people.
24. Treat your mental health with the same importance as your physical health.
25. Slow down.
26. Ask for help when you need it.
27. You don’t have to do it all; Prioritize what matters most.

And remember, strive for  progress, not perfection. 

That's It?

I was talking to a friend of mine back in early March, and I had mentioned that since I started and now run the Omega Billiards Tour, that it kind of saved me: It gave me a sense of purpose.  Whereas the last 4 years I didn't really have a purpose or felt like I had one.  When I took care of my Mom the last 4 years of her life, I had MAJOR purpose.  After she passed, I didn't have any purpose anymore.

When you don't have a purpose in life, you walk aimlessly on earth.  You have no direction and therefore no spark of life, no desire to live, and no need to live. 

It wasn't something easy to share with him because it kind of exposed just what a deep and dark time I had been going through the last 4-5 years.

It's funny because when I said that I was pretty proud of myself (pumps fits on chest) because I really had come such a long way.

And after I told him proudly the Omega Tour gave me purpose, he looked at me and said, “that's it?”

It's really weird to be excited about something so important (esp such as this) and then someone kind of downplays it.

You see, I was barely surviving.  I didn’t even feel like living at times.  So to me, having a purpose again in life was a good thing.  Yet, in his eyes, “that's really all you're doing?  That's really all you're doing that's giving you purpose?"

Um, YES.  That was huge for me to be living again!  To FEEL like living again.   And running the Tour gave me that feeling after such a long time of being depressed and grieving.

After that exchange I got to thinking... he's right!  I should be doing more.  I should be helping more.  Being more productive; more helpful; being there for others; doing more for others; doing more for me.

So I thought of all these ideas of things that I've always wanted to do, things that were in the cobwebs of the back of my mind…. but didn't have the desire or commitment or even the energy to do them when I took my “hiatus from living.”  They were pushed back into the depths of my virtual “maybe to-do” list of things that maybe I thought I wanted to do.

I think that a lot of times we just go through life and don't think about what we want or what we want to do.

And I think that when we are grieving and extremely depressed (or clinically depressed), the last thing we feel like doing or have the energy to do is the things on our virtual, internal to-do-list.

And after taking 4-5 years from truly living, when you start to live again, you start to see things in a different light/way.

And while I'm still struggling to survive on some days still, I do want to give back to others and do more.

What are some of these things on my list?

Here's a short little list of things I’m been passionate about and recently started since "that's it?" :

• Giving pool lessons (already started) 
• Taking on a more active role in the Coalition of Quality of End of Life Care (I’m a board member)
• Donating more (already started)
• Being involved in the volunteer program at my work building (looking into it just this week)
• Get back into mediation (already started) 

Down the road:

• Public Speaking for End-of-Life-Care 
• Take some self-help classes

It’s crazy how a simple comment from someone can make such a profound effect on one’s life.

Toughest and Most Painful - Letting Others Know of a Death

I have been through a lot in my life.  Things I've shared in this blog, things I haven't yet had the heart or guts to share, but I can say of all the tough things I have been through, the most painful ones are when I had to notify a family member that a relative of theirs passed away.

After my Dad passed, I sat in the same kitchen I grew up learning how to cook in as a child, with my Mom by my side.  We held hands as I made the brutal calls to my Dad's brothers and sisters to tell them their brother, Thomas Bailey, had passed away that morning at the house unexpectedly.

My Dad, Thomas Bailey, and I

I can still recall how difficult those calls were to make, and how excruciating it was to hear their reactions on the other end of the phone.  Lots of crying out loud, shock, yelps, etc.  Tough giving such horrible news.

I was blessed that one of my Aunt's took over notifying some of the other family members for me.  She's been a life saver throughout my life.

The other extremely difficult and similar painful time, was when I had to tell my Mom that her sister had passed away.

It was seriously one of the most difficult things in my life to do.

My Mom had been in a nursing home for rehabilitation and her sister, who lived in another state, but who was her only living relative left (well, besides me), had passed away from a long battle of cancer just the very night before my Mom was going to finally be discharged.  She was all excited about coming home!  Yet I was in such turmoil.  Do I tell her her sister passed away the morning she was leaving the nursing home, wait til we got home, wait a few days?  

I was a MESS!  How do I tell her this??   What do I do and how do I do it?  All the while going through my own emotions of learning my Aunt had just passed.

I talked to a friend of mine who told me her one regret was not telling her kids right away about their Dads passing.  They were very angry with her for waiting.

I soaked in that advice and knew I couldn't delay the painful words too long.  I decided to tell her as soon as she got home.  No timing would be good anyway, right?

I was an emotional wreck.  It was possible my Mom would have a set back, amidst all my other worries of telling her the dreadful news about her sister.

As I get my Mom and all her things acquired from her room into the car, she says, "I tried to call Gail.  I left her a message, she didn't answer.  Can't wait to tell her I'm free!"

I'm just as white as a ghost trying not to talk.

I get her home and my Uncle calls me, "I just got a real long message from your Mom.  Guess you haven't told her yet."  I struggled speaking, "I will tell her in a minute - only answer if she calls your phone, not Gail's.  That will be the sign she knows."

My Uncle really needed to hear from my Mom.  So, it was two-fold:  needed to tell my Mom right away because she deserved to know and also because my Uncle needed to talk to someone who knew Aunt Gail well.  He was grieving deeply.

My Aunt Gail

My Mom got situated and literally it was about 15 minutes she was home..... and
I sat down at the edge of her bed and I said, "Mom, I have to tell you something."  She could see the seriousness in my face and hear it in my voice.  She immediately guesses with shock and in tears, crying at me, "Are you taking me back?!?!  You don't want me!?"

"No, Mom......"  and then I shared the horrible news.

Again, it was one of the most painful things I've ever been through.  Hearing the news is one thing, but having to tell loved ones is on a whole 'nother level.

My Mom yelp and cried and moaned out loud in shock.  "I just called her!"

"I know, Mom.  Let's call Uncle Ray now - he needs you.  You need him."

How My Mother Saw Me

I didn't really understand the depth of love my Mom had for me until after she passed away.  Because I do not have kids of my own, I guessing that is the main reason I didn't really truly understand the extremely deep love a parent has for their child?

I think we see what is right in front of us:  that we are the child of a parent; and that we have a parent.  We don't really see the emotions connected to that.  We see our parents for who they are, our mother or our father.  As we walk through our daily paths of life, we don't really think about how much they love us.  Instead, we run errands or do the dishes - physical things on this earth.

Even if they tried to explain the true deepness of love they have for us, we really wouldn't completely comprehend it.  Yes, we love them beyond words, but in reality, their love for us is a thousand times more.

I'm not exactly sure if I can pinpoint the moment I realized just how important I was to my Mom.  All I know is I realized it too late - after she passed away.  I don't know if it's because the loss I felt for her was so paralyzing and I realized that was because how much I loved her.  But for some reason it hit me after she passed how much she really, truly, and deeply cared for me and loved me.

Honestly, a connection like none other.

As a caretaker of my Mom, I would come home from work and take care of things I needed to do to take care of my Mom.  I wish I would have known how much she loved me and how much she cared for me.  I'm not saying she didn't say it, what I am saying is I didn't understand it.

But I wish I would have known.  I wish I would have felt what I feel now or what I know now, so instead of coming home and being tired with "things to do," I would come rushing in through the door and give her a HUGE, tight hug every single day I came home.  To show acknowledgment of our love for each other.  I was the most important person in her life; and vice versa.  Yet, as I knew that back then, still didn't completely resonate.

I think we just go through the motions of our day and not really understand the depth of the connections of the people around us.  And it's really true that we don't understand that until they're gone.

"When we truly love, it is never lost.  It is only after death that the depth of the bond is truly felt, and our loved one
becomes more a part of us than was possible in life."

Desire to Write Changes with Time

When I was in high school and college, I actually wrote a little poetry.  I noticed back then that when I was unhappy or depressed, I wrote my best pieces.  And I felt like writing. 

I'd have to go searching in the cobwebs of old papers to see if I could even find any of those poems or my writings.  They weren't very extravagant or anything, but it'd be cool to maybe find a couple and see what I said back then or what was on my mind. 

What I've noticed as I've gotten older, especially now that I blog a lot, is I can't write when I'm depressed.  If I'm in a great or happy mood, I feel like writing and writing, and going and going.  But when I'm depressed or unhappy, the last thing I feel like doing is writing.  Those are the days I might just post a photo or a image/quote and not add too many words in my blogs because one of the last things I want to do is write during sad times. 

Weird how when I was younger depression gave me inspiration.  But now, depression kind of paralyzes is me. 

Music Through the Ages

I wonder why when I hear a song from the 80s and 90s, I can imagine where I was in my life, but not who I was with.  But in my 30s and 40s, certain songs bring up memories / feelings of the boyfriend I was with at the time.

In my teens and 20s, I can recall if I was in college, high school, living in Florida, or certain cities in Texas, etc.  But when the songs are played on the radio, I don't think of boyfriends from back then.

But in my 30s and 40s, when I hear certain songs, I don't think of where I was in my life, but who had my heart.

I wonder why I can't recall that from the teens and 20s?

Was it because back then I wasn't as close to my boyfriends?  Or because we didn't have a song that resonated with our "romance"?  Or because as we get older relationships mean more and therefore as a normal consequence so do certain songs we associate with our boyfriend/girlfriend at the time?

Or, when we are young we don't hear the words in songs?  lol

Maybe our emotional connections change with time. I can say that it seems like relationships in my 30s and 40s were def more intense feeling-wise with certain guys and more meaningful.  I had a boyfriend for 5 1/2 years in my late 20s, but I can't recall one song from back then that would remind me of him, like certain songs in the last 10-15 years can about other guys.

Further, I was with one of my ex's for 7 years in my 30s, only one song (when I hear it) reminds me of him, and that song was only from the beginning our relationship.

That leads me to wonder - do long-lasting relationships over years and years, do they have more than one song that when it's played they think of their loved one?  Or is it only in the beginning stages of relationships does our brain pin songs to?

Weird.

Young at Heart

The other day a friend of mine and I were talking about how no matter what age we are or how old we get, we have the same feelings that we had when we were in our 20s, 30s, or sometimes even our teens.

And this is either with friendships or romantic relationships, or our attachment to things (work issue, pets, etc).  Any type of emotional connection that touches our heart.

I was sharing with her how it was surprising that no matter how many years go by, even decades even, that I still have the same thoughts and emotions that I did when I was in my 20s, especially when it comes to relationships. You would think that as we mature and age that we wouldn't have these crazy insecure female-type thoughts anymore, but in reality we still do.  I'm kind of like a twenty-year-old in a 40 year old body, lol.  My body has aged, but my feelings and emotions remain the same.

The same thing can be said for when we start a new relationship or when one ends.  No matter what age we are at the beginning of a relationship, it's always wonderful and amazing, and the end of it always hurts and is painful.  It doesn't matter how old you are or how young you are - your emotions and connections remains just as intense.

A friend of mine in his mid 60s recently met a new girl and he said he felt like they were teenagers starting out on this new venture in their lives together!  He was so giddy and happy.  After only a few weeks, it had dissolved, though.  He was so heartbroken, he could barely function after the heartache of them breaking up. 

Another of my friends in her mid 50s recently went through a break up and she was very hurt as well after she got rejected.

The good thing though, is how we react to situations gets better as we age and mature.  THAT is cool, for sure.  It's nice to be able to react so much more adult-like to situations, than like a spoiled, 25-year old nagging, hurt, insecure girlfriend (or boyfriend).

My friend in her 50s handle the rejection with poise and I dare say, "honor."  While she was hurting on the inside, she handled it much better than her 25-year-old self would have 30 years ago she confided.

So while in my 20s and 30s I might have reacted like a crappy girlfriend to guys back then because I let my emotions take over, I recognize now and enjoy that I'm more patient and so much more understanding.  Sure, I still have crazy, stupid thoughts, but I just try not to expose them now and instead keep them internal, where when I was younger I would spew them outward. I see things and consciously handle things outward in a much better way than when I was immature and naive.  Thank goodness, too!  Not just for my friends and my boyfriends, but also for MYSELF. 
 

  

She Lived a Great Life

For the longest time I swapped sad stories about my Mom and her passing.  If I shared she passed, the convo wasn't an up-beat discussion but me sharing my depression and grief.  I wrote about this before, I know, but I wanted to share a little gem that relates to that.

I was sitting at a poker table one fine afternoon and because it was a new table, several of the players knew each other because they signed up at the same time.  Turns out it was a mother, daughter, son, and family friend.

As we all sat for a while, eventually convo starts up and the mother shares that her Mom had just recently passed away a few months ago.  I replied with my, "I am so sorry" in a certain tone that only those who have lost someone recognize it's the tone of understanding and "I've been through that too,"

Her response completely took me off guard.  After only a few months, she was still kinda in a good frame of mind and mood, and she didn't seem distraught like I was, and it had been 3 years for me since my Mom passed!

She whisked me right under her leadership wing with her words and shared, "oh, Honey, she lived a great life," not skipping a beat to let me know all was okay and that her passing wasn't an impediment in her life.

Turns out she passed away in her 90s and had a big family and didn't pass away from trauma.

I reflect on that moment, even to this day, and that was over a year ago she shared those kind, inspiring words about her Mom.  Why can't I speak like that?

I do admit that my grief has lifted and I can now talk about my Mom with a gleam in my eyes (instead of tears and frowns), but if I could have done that during the 3-4 years after her passing, maybe that would have helped me heal faster....?