During the course of this blog, I have no doubt you’ll learn more about who I am and what makes me tick and why I created this game. I figure we’ll get there eventually. For now, I’ll just jump in at today.

I just came back from my first massage in maybe the last six months. I’ve been watching my cash and working really hard… and in the mean time going to a chiropractor to fix what I do to myself daily on the computer. This is the first day in many, many days where I am actually doing something for myself. Yes, I guess running and gardening is for myself and all that but I seem to be constantly doing and never really just being or receiving.

Once you can watch what you’re thinking, you’re kind of cursed (in a good way). Not only is there no excuse for your behavior later, but there’s no way to really ignore the voice that breaks in and says, “BTW- this is what you’re doing. If you were coming from Love, you’d be doing this.” So I’m getting my massage and I’m running through all the exciting things I can do with blogs and thinking about how we’ll build community and what I’ll write and and, and, and … I have to keep forcing myself to remember to be present. I have to keep reminding myself that this time is for me. Someone (this was actually a young guy – perhaps the topic of a whole other blog) is not just touching me, he’s getting paid to make me feel good… And it feels DAMN good -during those few minutes when I can actually concentrate and focus on my breathing and the way it feels to have my feet rubbed by a perfect stranger who just 20 minutes ago was telling me to strip down to what’s comfortable. This is quality me time. Or at least quality fantasy time…

This was the type of massage that in the past would have left me asleep by the time he said, “Take your time to get dressed” and yet I was focused on getting home quick so I could pick up my long, past love of writing and get you something good. But I guess that’s just the thing. It’s not that there’s a certain black and white answer to every situation that says this is coming from Love. For example, is it true that I must be present, receive and be mellow during my massage to come from Love? The truth is, in every situation, it’s really just my response that matters.

In the past, if there were times when my mind was racing, it was racing in circles trying to figure a way out of a mess that most likely had no exit. I was great at creating those. Instead, today I was jazzed. I was pumped and there was nothing even a young boy with massage oil could do to keep me from focusing on my vision. We’re getting close… Shift is coming together and I am more than excited. I think I’m vibrating and I’m actually totally cool with the fact that I just worked straight through my me time. I can’t wait to show you what we’ve got but I’m more excited to see what you’ll bring us. It is going to be stellar… Yep, It is time to Shift…

Shift.

 If I didn’t see shift in my life everyday, I wouldn’t justify the long hours, short glamour, and blind faith that everyone else will see what we see in this adventure…. Zzzzzzz……

 Going to a movie (about traveling mind you) with your girlfriends who will be traveling all over the world – seemed to be a good idea- especially after a long day of work.  It was the kind of work that I don’t get as excited about – the plug and chug- that don’t get to see the “pretty” results that seem to make me want to push it further. 

 But after I spend an entire day – face to the computer – I spent the entire movie watching the “shifts” that were taking places in these characters lives, which in-turn, happened to be my own.  Lena – the beautiful girl on the Greek adventure, finding herself, was me about two years ago; Bridget – the tall, confident, girl I always wanted to be, secretly fighting a battle inside, I was able to be for moments at a time and then lose her; Carmen – so true to herself while dealing with a father who has found a “better family,” is just like me after I spend some time at home; and Tibby – marching to her own beat, finding wisdom in children, and trying to leave her mark on the world from behind the camera.  That is me.  All of those girls are me at some point or another.

 They all changed their perspectives – shifted if you will – and when they opened themselves up – to love, forgiveness, reality, to feel – they found themselves, within the context of each other and the pants. 

 And then I came home to talk to my boyfriend who was worrying and stressing about life and everything that comes with it – and I found myself telling him to open himself up and to be open to good things happening, or else he is just blocking them.  He didn’t listen, I think he thought I’d gone shift crazy.  But we’ll see.  We opened ourselves to moving forward with this game and now we are working with unbelievable people, and even more excited for the future.  I believe it with all that I am.  You don’t know what you are capable of until you try, you don’t know what possibilities are there until you are open and believe you are worthy.

Am I preachy?  Am I way out there?  Oh well, I’m me. 

I wore jeans for the second time today; I went for my second walk today; my incisions are almost completely healed; all only two weeks after surgery. 

I could concentrate on the fact that I’m still kind of tired, I get sore if I push it, and that I’m not “better than I’ve ever been.”

But I know if I put my thoughts on negative, I know I will be stuck in this place forever.

 I went home mid-may (to eastern-Iowa) for my boyfriend’s college graduation, expecting to be home for a little over a week – but ended up staying about a month. 

Two days before my trip home I woke up with severe abdominal pains, but because of my stubbornness and lack of doctor-covered-by-insurance-in-Colorado, I did nothing about it.  Instead, I drove home the next day, and went to my pre-scheduled annual exam with my usual doctor.  I told her of the pain and she admitted that my right side felt “a little full,” and scheduled an ultrasound for the next morning.  So after drinking 32 oz. of water before 7 a.m., I laid down on the table, and as the technician placed the “thingy” on my abdomen all my mom and I could hear was her gasp, “well that’s what is causing all that pain!”  A 10-cm. cyst was blocking the view of everything else, and had nestled on top of my right ovary.  I left that morning a little rattled, well a lot, but positive.  My doctor called the next morning to tell me she had scheduled an appointment with a specialist, on the day I was formerly scheduled to go home. So I kept my patience in check, kept the “Advil cocktails” coming, and stayed strong.  Went to the specialist and before I know it, we were scheduling surgery for the next week, going straight to the hospital for chest x-rays and blood work, with a CT scan the next morning.  As we were walking out of my appointment, the doctor looked at me and said, “You are handling this so well…” I turned to him and said, “ well, I’m home with my family, I’m still on my dad’s insurance, and I’m going to feel better than I did before.”  He smiled, patted my shoulder and said, “We are going to take such good care of you.”

The truth is, I was scared, but I believed what I said.  The disheartening part was the fact I signed releases for “worst case scenario” situation – including full hysterectomy – and I wouldn’t know what happened until I woke up. 

I woke up to find that the best had occurred – the surgery was a “success” and was completed through laparoscopy.  They peeled back my ovary, but left it intact.  Three incisions later, one stitch each, they were done.  Apparently, it had been there a while, as it had begun to attach to my insides: my bladder, intestines, and bowls.  Scary. 

I know the only reason I stayed sane, and am doing as well as I am right now was my thoughts.  I took it in stride, one step at a time.  I stayed positive- mainly for the sake of my mother and boyfriend – but in turn, for myself as well. 

I don’t think I’ve ever felt the power of thought the way I did throughout this experience.  I never want to forget the knowledge I’ve gained.  Today as I found myself, once again, getting cranky over my lap top – I stopped and reminded myself that I’m able to sit at the computer and that each thing I finish is one more thing to check off the list.  What doesn’t get done today will get done tomorrow.  What I can’t control will work itself out regardless of if I worry about it or not.  Only positive thoughts can guide my way to where I want to be.

But yup, that’s right.  Here it is.  And it’s driving me crazy.

I have an almost-14-week-old puppy, Jackson.  He’s beautiful.  He’s a Doberman colored Chihuahua, two-and-some-spare-change-pounds, and full of love and happiness…and pee.

Puppies have accidents, that’s normal, but when your boyfriend refers to your dog as a pee factory, it might be a problem.  Today, about 4:30 PM mountain standard time – I lost it.  All of my positive thinking out the window – I had a break down.  I somehow convinced myself that I was a failure as a mother; that despite all of my hours of research on how to raise the perfect dog had failed me, or I had failed it.  Suddenly I wasn’t worthy of even the dog himself, or any of the work I do, or any effort I make. 

So, after an insane conversation with my boyfriend, and even crying over the phone to my mother, I have taken drastic measures – Jackson is restricted to the “bag” (no more plush tub life for him!) and taken out every half-hour and no more Ms. nice guy from me.  I mean business – and preferably outside thank you.

I’ve realized I may not be cut out for single mother life. 

Can a positive attitude help with housetraining a dog?

Naw.

But I suppose it couldn’t hurt.

There’s the tiny thought, the itty-bitty-mustard-seed-type, that you feel are insignificant, “mini thoughts” if you will.  But if you add the right things to them, grow up to be full of flavor, and surprisingly good on a sandwich; essential if you will.   Then there are the mid-size seeds; they are just a mystery.  They could make big or small things happen, as long as you nurture them.   Mid size thoughts, like seeds, can add such beauty to a space; but, without them, life would be plain, though we often overlook the significance.  And then there is the big seeds, the bulbs!  These you don’t grab a handful and gracefully scatter on the ground.  They take preparation, digging, figuring out which end is the top, and most importantly, making sure the rabbits don’t eat them.  Big thoughts tend to be far and few in between, and often require more energy than a simple scatter and letting the wind carry them.  But in the end, when full bloom is achieved, the beauty is worth the work. 

If we care for our thoughts, nurture and encourage them, (and don’t forget to protect them from rabbits!) and plant them firmly in love, they will grow.  They will have a strong foundation to be last and bring beauty to this world. 

I love playing in dirt.  I love flowers.  I love earning my shower at the end of the day. 

Wow, I think I got a lot of sun today!  Whew!

I always thought I’d be out saving the world

I always thought I’d be the one going to India and purifying water to save a village.

I never thought I’d work behind a computer all day.

I always thought I was going to make a difference.

As my roommate packs her stuff to leave for the unknown of India, I can’t help but think, if you would have asked anyone 4 years ago what I’d be doing after college, Sara and I would have been in opposite places.

But I’ve learned you have to pick and choose your weapons.  Look at what you do best.  And then never stop.  I do what I do well. 

And with my weapon I will make my difference. 

With my weapon I will shift.

I have always experienced some sort of betrayal or desertion from my women relationships.  I cherished these relationships, but always left a guard up, just in case, the inevitable happened.

So if you would have told me that I would be spending the past year of my life surrounding myself with the most supportive, intelligent, strong, loyal, amazing women I have ever met, I would have told you that you are crazy.

But it’s true. 

I’m converted.

And have found that if you open yourself to positive relationships of strength and loyalty, they will come to you.

Everything happens for a reason.  The good and bad. 

I think it all goes back to trust.

Trust that we were put here for good.  To do good, give good, and experience good.

As I’m dealing with moving from Boulder to Denver, working full time, being a “single (Chihuahua) mother,” and balancing work life and social life, I have realized that I may not be handling things as well as I thought I would be able to.

I have always had a parent to help me move my stuff, keep me collected, and remind me that I was still their child.  

I guess life is full of many tests. 

I think I forgot to study.