who attacked first or if the bombs came from Your side or Ours.

It only matters that infants and teenagers and old men lay dead

and mothers and brothers are left with 

memories.

It only matters that shards cut into skin 

and buildings fall down and records are destroyed.

It matters that in the history of human 

aggression, the sickness of Cain and Abel 

is getting worse, mechanical.

(The people who can do something about it may 

choose to pause the fighting, but it is merely a pause

and the recklessness will return next week, next month.)

What matters is not who started but who stops for good, 

once men and women choose to see that the

death of Your children

is no less important than the death of Our children.

so here goes!

New Year’s Day

The snow on the ground, 
a light dusting which will turn to ice,
is a canvas of hope. 
Blankness, emptiness and a promise
of bright and cheerful tomorrows
to rescue the sorrows of yesterday.

Last year we buried our dead, 
we buried some dreams, 
perhaps even some ancient fears.

We toast to the what-ifs and to each other 
as well; survival was laughter and
often shared tears.

The New Year is meticulously clean so far.
But know change will come
and loss 
and love
and doubt
and dancing, maybe.
Smile now, close then open our eyes and go outside
and begin again.

Not what I want to address today.  What’s on my mind is how over time, there are people who encourage your dreams and others who feel that ‘realism’ should be applied.  I have a few people in my life who never encourage anyone’s dreams- they question, are ‘realistic’ and point out negatives and genuinely rain on parades.  I have to say that if you rain on my parade, you probably don’t have a lot of sunshine in your own life.  

I have a couple of friends who don’t even acknowledge this new path I’m on.  They haven’t said ‘good luck’ or . . .anything.  Silence.  In my attempt to be a more proactive person, a part of me really wants to ask them why but it may hurt the relationship more than help.  My suspicion is that they are still judging who I used to be and not who I am today.  Has that ever happened to you?  You have a friend or relative who always brings up choices or moments you regret, even if they happened in 1995?   Ugh, It’s exhausting and there’s no way to prove who you ARE if someone refuses to see

Guess that the goal is not to care what anyone else thinks- to be your own dog.  OK, weird metaphor BUT it used to be the slogan for a beer.  Remember?  BE YOUR OWN DOG.  If someone doesn’t accept then the truth is they have their own work to do in the  universe.  It’s hard to push away the negativity that is pushed onto us at times but it HAS to be done.  I refuse to make excuses for the girl I used to be since I am now a wiser, hopefully better woman.

Thank you if you know me and love me as I am.

 I find the statement above empowering.  What we do first thing in the morning reflects throughout the day- to say, like Gandhi that you fear no one but God, that you shall treat others well and be treated as person worthy of dignity and respect, and that you are able to sacrifice for your beliefs, is definitely to set each day on the right path, to set LIfe on the right path.

My own path has not been without its setbacks and victories.  As I have talked about, my Lenten promise to give up complaining and gossip has been a roller coaster of failure and success.  On St. Patrick’s Day, which is usually a big social whirl of chatting and Guinness (oh, how I do enjoy a tasty pint!), I had  more failure than success, though I started out with good intentions.  It’s really easy for me to get sucked into the social side of complaining, of finding fault even with people I love.  It’s not something I am proud of, though it’s impossible to get a good path going when you are attacking yourself for moral foibles.  Yesterday, was a great day. I didn’t complain once!  I went out into the world, conducted my business, saw a friend, spent time with my family and PRAYED for guidance.  The world was a better place in my eyes, and I was better in the world.  From now on, I want to focus on what’s  positive, act for the better when issues come up.  I don’t want to walk through this world as a victim, but rather take Gandhi’s  attitude of self-reliance and trust in the universe.  It is a struggle but I am not giving up!!!  I will make it to 21 days Complaint Free no matter how long it takes.

That’s what the purple bracelet I am wearing is all about.  Feel free to ask me, feel free to join.  It’s life altering to even realize how one person’s complaints bring more negativity into the Earth. It’s not necessary.  Not bearing ill will towards anyone means believing the best, acting on that belief and keeping silent when challenged. If you have a disagreement with someone, talk to that person only.   Venting is NOT healthy.  It’s one thing to discuss feelings but another thing entirely to dwell in discontent.  The dwelling is a waste of time, especially when there are better way to spent the years we have on this planet.  It’s a slow process of growth for me-I’ve been at this for weeks but yesterday was my first day of complete commitment to the ideal.  It was glorious.  Have not succeeded completely TODAY, but I will keep on going. . .it’s the journey that counts after all.  Still pursuing Contentedness.

Two weeks passed by rather quickly.  I had to finish up projects, say good byes and deal with yet another throat curse requiring antibiotics.  It was good that I had the two weeks to properly leave the place, to affirm that my decision was the best one I could  have made.  One thing I heard over and over again was ‘good for you. I wish I could do it.’  What these folks usually mean is that they don’t feel they can leave an unhappy job situation b/c of resposibilities-a mortgage or rent, children, car payments.  I, luckily, have none of those responsibilities so why stay in a situation where the start of the day was not a cause for rejoicing?  But the more I think about it, the more I think no one should.  Some of my former co-workers are miserable and make those around them miserable. 

A perfect example to illustrate: at the company there is a Notorious Busybody who snoops through people’s things, spreads rumors, gives the evil eye and yet wears  a cross round her neck.  I believe the only reason that they don’t fire the woman is that she is about to retire soon and has been there since the ’60s.  Last week she called me into the bathroom to say something. It was to warn me about another girl at work, who she said tells the comptroller of the company everything.  I was horrified but the look on her face when I said that the girl she was maligning and I are friends was priceless.  She almost DOVE into the bathroom stall. 

A woman like the Notorious Busybody is pathetic. She’s hated her job for about a decade, if not longer, seems to have no life outside of work and fails to see how wearing the cross and being evil are antithetical.  I think when you’re that unhappy you can’t do the same old same old everyday.  I don’t care what responsibilities you claim to have- change your life, or your attitude or both.  It is a useless way to spend life that way. Americans spend more time at work that most people in the world and yet, I rarely hear love for the work we do.  I don’t hear pride.  Something has to change in our collective mentality.

My incident with the busybody was but one interesting facet of leaving. My direct supervisor talked trash about me b/c I took a day off to be sick.  Yikes.  I will tell you that I had to exert total self control when I heard that.  My first instinct was extreme anger.  I wanted to call her up and curse that broad out.  Hahahaha.  But I didn’t b/c that would be so counterproductive. I calmed myself down with prayer and by playing catch with Cosette.  Then I realized that hen people talk behind your back it’s about them, and not about you. The people I like at work don’t take a word she says seriously,  Plus, she’s not in the best place in her life and my leaving is going to burden her with extra work so maybe she was just venting.  Not nice, but. . . I should chill, not pick up the phone and just be REALLY glad I never have to see her again.  

For the most part, people were extremely kind. I’ve saved emails, and cards that were encouraging and touched me.  Apparently, I was liked for my efficiency, helpfulness and good cheer. I leave knowing that I did a good job.  Even the boss man hugged me and wished me well.  Other positives:  the girl who irked me more than ANY human ever has actually apologized!  I did too- I think I should have had a  little more grown self-control and talked to her about the issues that we had. At the time, it was hard to have the detachment.  But I will remain friends with some of my co-workers and am really excited and pleased about that.  

Saying my final goodbyes was sad but like Madonna says:  There’s no greater power than the power of good-bye. It’s always a little heartbreaking to end a stage of your life but choosing change is really about not giving in to fear .

Now I’m resting up b/c my Quest is beginning soon.  I feel like I’m being lead by the Higher Power to a better destiny. Am processing multiple thoughts and emotions  right now, but the greatest one is relief.  I’m not stressed out- maybe I should be but I welcome Change. 

March is one of my favorite months.  There’s a hint of Spring in the air, holidays like Easter and St. Patrick’s.  Now I have another reason to like March.

In general, I have enjoyed working where I work.  I have pretty nice, quirky co-workers, have a varied week b/c my projects change every week (one of the best parts of being a project manager), and my schedule is 8:30-4:30.  All v.good things I appreciate.  However, the work load has been outrageous, I am now at the level where ‘no errors will be tolerated.’  To say I am stressed is an understatement.  I had a moment where I cried in the bathroom.  It felt criminally GOOD to cry- the release was splendid.  But this leaves me to ponder.  .  .what shall I do with myself?  Is this where I want to be?  What DO I want to do with my life?  I don’t know the answers to these questions but I want to start thinking about the possible answers.  For three years, I have been trying to be practical, methodical and efficient. I am all of those things but I am also denying what I call ‘weekend’ self.  Yet I Don’t want to make any hasty decisions based on the anger I sometimes feel with the job.  

Tomorrow is Leap Day. Exciting.  In honor, I cut my hair a tad shorter and in a slightly funkier way.  Hair makes a huge difference, my peeps.  Go Hair!  

BTW, saying I meditate is funny.  People often don’t get what I do so I will tell you that it is pretty simple. I lay on a yoga mat (or sit yogi style if I am feeling ambitious) and start breathing deep and slow, focusing on the act of breathing.  Then I go through all the parts of my body that seem ‘knotty’ and I physically tense and relax them.  My neck is the point of my body where this seems to be key. After the physical engagement I focus on a word or a sound or an idea that I want to ponder.  Then I. . .focus.  Without sounding too queer eye, I try to become one with the word or idea.  Sometimes, it’s as if I get carried away.  I honestly have no idea why some form of meditation isn’t taught in schools.  Quieting the racing mind is something that Americans in particular don’t seem good at. 

But back to the dreams. . .historical figures are popping in, there’s dancing and singing.  VERY nice. It’s making me feel happy.   

OH!  I was doing a horrible job with the Lenten promise of no complaining but am back to giving it my all.   After all, though I’m still finding my way, isnt it lovely to get up and BE?  To drink that coffee, catch the train, be able to support myself, talk to friends.   Don’t want to miss out on the quirky, kooky things that make up a day just ‘cuz I’m navel gazing.