CG Chronicles ~ New Content

Lyrical Fire ~ I Ain't No Joke ~ Algebra

noreply@blogger.com (♥ CG ♥) — Tue, 22 May 2012 20:59:35 PDT

"See, I love hard 'cause I'm real
And I thank God that I can feel
What I do for love it does for me
I guarantee you'll see
It's not a laughing matter
I'm tell the truth
You wish you still had a...
...the joke's on you"

I Ain't No Joke ~ Algebra

♦ ♦ ♦

This is the perfect song for those times we have to laugh off the antics of naysayers, attempted dream kidnappers, shallow heartbreakers and decoy friends. Not a new song per se, nonetheless "I Ain't No Joke" has taken a permanent spot high on my anthem list.

Enjoy your weekend, fam!

Monday Moxie ~ Kicking Life's Can...

noreply@blogger.com (♥ CG ♥) — Mon, 07 May 2012 04:40:00 PDT

{ source }

The Six Enemies of Greatness (and Happiness) ~ Jessica Hagy

.::CG Side Note::.

I've finally embraced the fact that life ~~never~~ rarely offers a map of the yellow brick path through the winding roads of happiness, purpose and fulfillment. Finding value in the uncomplicated, black and white, sharp and crisp lines that resonate with what I know to be true is more important than ever before.

No secrets here...just acknowledging and taking note of how you look at things. Simple life lessons, no?

Monday Moxie ~ Who You Listen To Matters

noreply@blogger.com (♥ CG ♥) — Mon, 30 Apr 2012 04:40:00 PDT

Do not buy into what others are telling you -- even if those others are people in authority, people who seem to have all the information and all the understanding and all the answers. Embrace, instead, the desires of your heart, and make those your experience.

~ Neale Donald Walsch

Ma'am, YOU Forgot YOUR Bags...

noreply@blogger.com (♥ CG ♥) — Mon, 23 Apr 2012 17:52:29 PDT

It's no secret that I have a quick temper...turn your head quick....blink your eyes quick, however...

Frankly, I'm tired of your mood swings, not knowing whether an otherwise great day will be clouded by some random "offense", having to divert stings from reactions to YOUR issues. You know, the ones that are caused by everybody else? Do you ever consider how your words cut the ones who genuinely care about you? Those who will be there despite your attitude, the ones who've listened to your same ol' woes and wondered why you complain if you're not going to do anything about the situation...yeah, those are the folks you hurt the most. Well, just as I've said before, I realized yesterday that my motto of "I love you but I love me" more applies to you as well. I'm tired of adjusting to your disregard for anyone who has a heart. I've had it with not being heard and being treated like I'm 16. I'm weary from being nice and trying to diffuse situations through humor.

I understand your need to hold onto a "tell it like it is" pass. Well, I can tell it like it is too, but it doesn't mean that I have to divert my anger towards my loved ones. The truth is that you need to acknowledge and deal with whatever it is that makes you think you're perfect, have to control everything and everybody and can speak to anyone in a disrespectful manner....especially your family.

Just like the invisible bags you tote around, one day they become worn and tattered from being thrown all over the place. Imagine you were required to empty them before moving ahead? Would you rather keep the old bags to hold onto your so-called pride and stubbornness? Probably. That tells me where your real struggle is...it's within...worn and tattered. We all are actually, but we don't take it out on everyone else. Take the steps to get your issues addressed, you'll feel much better.

Stop hiding being the paper thin screen of being so "strong", smart, professional and above reproach...when you treat your kindred like strangers YOU prove otherwise. It's ugly. It's unkind. It's selfish. It's baggage YOU need to address. I won't tolerate it from now on. I can't and won't be subject to circumstances outside of my control and end up having to pay for them through an evil attitude.

I don't love you any less, but yesterday was the last day...

Monday Moxie ~ Gasping for a Fuller Life

noreply@blogger.com (♥ CG ♥) — Wed, 23 May 2012 21:12:04 PDT

Excerpt from "A Philosopher's Notes"

:: Confab :: Excuses vs Reasons...

noreply@blogger.com (♥ CG ♥) — Fri, 20 Apr 2012 07:45:15 PDT

Lately I've noticed that excuses of why a relationship didn't work out have taken on new definitions...

...we would've been better off as friends

...he should've been a date instead of a boyfriend/husband

...and the list goes on...

These are rather superfluous reasons in my opinion that don't and can't change the past. How do these assertions change what took place? Why are we so afraid to acknowledge that despite our failures, life would be incomplete without exploring, stepping out on a limb and learning the lessons that come along with it? Just wonderin'....

Monday Moxie ~ Worry About What YOU Are Doing...

noreply@blogger.com (♥ CG ♥) — Wed, 23 May 2012 21:13:09 PDT

“I’ve learned that there is no competition for me. There ain’t no rat race. I only compete with myself. I think we have to teach our children that you better peer inside of yourself – what are you doing? Are you the best that you can be? Forget what the chick next to you is doing, that’s a non-issue.”

~ Jada Pinkett Smith

Monday Moxie ~ Good Things & Bad Things

noreply@blogger.com (♥ CG ♥) — Mon, 09 Apr 2012 04:30:05 PDT

Good Things and Bad Things by ~spahnv

Monday Moxie ~ Greater Living Thru Greater Lessons

noreply@blogger.com (♥ CG ♥) — Mon, 02 Apr 2012 04:30:00 PDT

“Life’s work is to wake up. The only way to do this is to be curious, and develop some sense of sympathy for everything that comes along, to get to know its nature and let it teach you what it will. It’s going to stick around until you learn your lesson, at any rate. You can leave your marriage, you can quit your job, you can only go where people are going to praise you, you can manipulate your world until you’re blue in the face to try to make it always smooth, but the same old demons will always come up until finally you have learned your lesson, the lesson they came to teach you. Then those same demons will appear as friendly, warmhearted companions on your path.”

~ Pema Chodron, The Wisdom of No Escape

Lyrical Fire ~ Burn ~ Wicked Evolution

noreply@blogger.com (♥ CG ♥) — Tue, 27 Mar 2012 04:30:00 PDT

I haven't heard a song in a long while that drips this much passion...enjoy....

FB

Six Degrees of Revelation {3.22.2012}

noreply@blogger.com (♥ CG ♥) — Thu, 22 Mar 2012 05:19:24 PDT

After a ~~ridiculously~~ long hiatus, I plan to get Six Degrees of Revelation up and running again. There are way too many insightful, uplifting and thought-provoking posts out there to not share a few on a regular basis. Enjoy and stop by to show these folks love!

It's no secret that Mr. TramueL holds a special place in my heart for various reasons, one of which is that he understands the strength in vulnerability and sincerity. Check out "Truth Is"!

Stef, one of the most resilient and mature young women I know, speaks volumes about the lost art of assurance in oneself in her Men With Confidence Are Sexy vlog.

Slim Jackson's post will hit home with those of us who've blogged for a while now. Keeping in mind that "back in the day" was only 4 or 5 years ago, the whole movement was much more conducive to independent thought and creativity. Don't take my word for it, Slim breaks it down "2008: When Blogging Was Just Blogging"

I rarely refer to anything as epic, but this right here...yep, this is epic in my book. I, too, wish love was a trigger. Don't miss the message ~ F*uck Fear, Love Anyway ~ Bassey Ipki

How has the collective socialization of men impacted society? You don't have to agree, but give Tony Porter's TEDTalk "A Call to Men" a listen.

Marc & Angel bring us a list of "18 Truths to Start Telling Yourself". A few that hit home with me are "This is my life, and my dreams are worth it.", "A few REAL friends are all I need.", and "The more I invest in myself, the more control I will have over my life.".

Hope you enjoy these insightful posts as much I have. Until the next installment...

Lyrical Fire ~ She Was Fly ~ Full Crate & Mar f. Eric Roberson

noreply@blogger.com (♥ CG ♥) — Wed, 23 May 2012 21:16:55 PDT

Have a fab and fly weekend, fam!

Full Crate & Mar featuring Erro

I Like It Like That

noreply@blogger.com (♥ CG ♥) — Wed, 14 Mar 2012 20:24:29 PDT

This week we've been charged with sharing our likes and dislikes about the opposite sex. Here's a really quick list....

A man who...

can teach me something
is confident but not arrogant
commands respect
shares similar spiritual beliefs
has an active lifestyle
is an optimist
is not stuck in the past...who did/said what to him, etc.
is not too much of a mama's boy...that's not all that cute nor indicative of how he'll treat a woman
has varied interests
appreciates the security of stability and strong relationships (familial, friendships, etc.)
has a great sense of humor/witty and doesn't take things too seriously
treats others well
is friendly/sociable
is even-keeled...no need to bring extra personalities and moods this way
has a healthy appetite to try new things
is creative and has a vivid imagination
respects the value of mutual compromise
is sincere
is encouraging
is dependable
talks about something other than his past or himself...all...the...time...
handles pressure/stressful situations without letting others see him sweat
understands that honesty may make him slightly vulnerable but never weak
embraces his roles as a provider and protector

What i don't like...well, flip all of the above, add an inability to communicate consistently and there we have it :-).

2:32AM

noreply@blogger.com (♥ CG ♥) — Wed, 23 May 2012 21:18:26 PDT

you make it easy
like a Sunday embracing the light of dawn
walkin' on air...floating
don't lift a finger, mama, i got this
your pleasure is what i desire...what i love to create and witness firsthand...

...intimately easy

endowed...naturally...effortlessly
no titles, no labels...make them wonder
sans clouds of insecurity
secure in who you are... gifts of a decadent nature
drippin' down...emanating...

...radiantly easy

awake to a smile
don't worry, i got you girl
no awkward silence...your lips speak truth without uttering a word
wandering through your dreams...allaying my fears
2:32A ... realizing that lovin' and surrendering to you is...

...just...easy....when you try deftly to please me

The BList

noreply@blogger.com (♥ CG ♥) — Wed, 23 May 2012 21:17:59 PDT

We all have them whether written in stone or mere passing thoughts. Aspirations that take a little more work than others but are attainable and viewed as worthwhile. Yep, the bucket list. I have a few things on my list, but these are top goals for the next couple of years. Can't wait to check them off!

~ Italy vacation

...cooking lessons, beaches, haute handbags

~ Photographed by Saadi Khali

...sensuous, introspective, visual adoration

~ Super Bowl

...hopefully my team will actually be one to play, but I can't wait for them, I just want to join in the fun

Share a couple of yours with us!

CBN fam, assignment completed....nexxxxt :-).

Monday Moxie ~ Power-filled Self-Revelations

noreply@blogger.com (♥ CG ♥) — Mon, 05 Mar 2012 04:30:00 PST

I prayed for change, so I changed my mind.

I prayed for guidance and learned to trust myself.

I prayed for happiness and realized I am not my ego.

I prayed for peace and learned to accept others unconditionally.

I prayed for abundance and realized my doubt kept it out.

I prayed for wealth and realized it is my health.

I prayed for a miracle and realized I am the miracle.

I prayed for a soul mate and realized I am the One.

I prayed for love and realized it's always knocking, but I have to let it in."

~Jackson Kiddard

Monday Moxie ~ Will You Accept This Invite?

noreply@blogger.com (♥ CG ♥) — Mon, 20 Feb 2012 06:43:42 PST

{ Inkprint Letterpress }

THE INVITATION
by Oriah Mountain Dreamer

It doesn’t interest me what you do for a living. I want to know what you ache for, and if you dare to dream of meeting your heart’s longing. It doesn’t interest me how old you are. I want to know if you will risk looking like a fool for love, for your dream, for the adventure of being alive.

It doesn’t interest me what planets are squaring your moon. I want to know if you have touched the center of your own sorrow, if you have been opened by life’s betrayals or have become shriveled and closed from fear of further pain! I want to know if you can sit with pain, mine or your own, without moving to hide it or fade it, or fix it. I want to know if you can be with joy, mine or your own, if you can dance with wildness and let the ecstasy fill you to the tips of your fingers and toes without cautioning us to be careful, to be realistic, to remember the limitations of being human.

It doesn’t interest me if the story you are telling me is true. I want to know if you can disappoint another to be true to yourself; if you can bear the accusation of betrayal and not betray your own soul; if you can be faithless and therefore trustworthy. I want to know if you can see beauty even when it’s not pretty, every day, and if you can source your own life from its presence. I want to know if you can live with failure, yours and mine, and still stand on the edge of the lake and shout to the silver of the full moon, “Yes!”

It doesn’t interest me to know where you live or how much money you have. I want to know if you can get up, after the night of grief and despair, weary and bruised to the bone, and do what needs to be done to feed the children. It doesn’t interest me who you know or how you came to be here. I want to know if you will stand in the center of the fire with me and not shrink back.

It doesn’t interest me where or what or with whom you have studied. I want to know what sustains you, from the inside, when all else falls away. I want to know if you can be alone with yourself and if you truly like the company you keep in the empty moments.

By Oriah © Mountain Dreaming,

from the book The Invitation

published by HarperONE, San Francisco

♦ ♦ ♦

I'd like to know these things about you...yes, you!
I think we all have more in common than you may think.

Just Because It's "That Day"

noreply@blogger.com (♥ CG ♥) — Tue, 14 Feb 2012 04:43:00 PST

At the Same Time ~ Eric Roberson

{ written by Aaron Hardin - my fave DMV pianist & producer }

...for the one i didn't allow to love me...

...too bad we don't have a choice of who and when we love...

♥ ♥ ♥

Have a pretty, hot and tempting Valentine's Day, fam ;-)!

Whitney

noreply@blogger.com (♥ CG ♥) — Sat, 11 Feb 2012 20:13:39 PST

Whitney’s passing is a loss to her fans, but let’s not forget that she was someone’s daughter, niece, friend and mother. Her honor is not tied to her talent, but to her love of those who were ultimately her support system. They loved and cared about her beyond what any stranger could. The majority of us will never understand the trappings that usher personal demons and battles into the lives of so many who reach stardom level. We seem to believe their world is perfect for reasons that have no weight when it comes to life and death. Undoubtedly, I have thoroughly enjoyed Whitney’s phenomenal talent, an undeniable blessing and inspiration to countless lives. What I won’t do is speculate the how and the why, there’s no point. May she now truly know the peace that surpasses all understanding.

Side notes: When will we realize and embrace the fact that we shouldn’t wait until our days (or those of people we love) to celebrate one another? Since there’s no Skype in Heaven that I know of…why not celebrate your loved ones while they can respond and be uplifted by it? I’m starting this week. How about you?

Ignorance abounds these days. There's nothing funny about death. It's obvious anyone who posts jokes and negative comments either 1) live a pathetic life and/or 2) have not experienced loss. One thing I know for sure is that we all will lose someone close to us at some point...let me know how funny it is then.

{The Burning Question} Livin' Hot Like Fire!

noreply@blogger.com (♥ CG ♥) — Sat, 11 Feb 2012 08:23:00 PST

Danielle's at it again. Inspiring those who desire greater life fulfillment to squeeze out juicy, expressive thoughts…needless to say, I wanted to join in!

I want my day to feel like a rushing, swirling river of concepts and creativity all wrapped up with the energy and determination to make things happen.

I want kissing to feel like a shot of fluid energy from the top of my head to the tip of my right big toe.

I want my next success to feel like the breakthrough it has taken me quite a while to make. Significant and satisfying beyond my wildest notions.

I want my body to feel like a dance instructor in the middle of bustin' a new move I want smiling to feel like a physical extension of my love and care for others.

I want my friendships to feel like a swinging canopy, one that supports and shields, allows you to drift into a zone of comfort and not worry about someone having your back.

I want my nervous system to feel like a complex connection of life, movement and growth I want my gigs to feel like standing in a shining spotlight.

I want my neighborhood to feel like a quiet sanctuary with a network of respectful, healthy acquaintances.

I want my integrity to feel like an impervious bond of character, wisdom and intellect.

I want my money-making to feel like a way to fund enjoyment, but not define happiness and become a pseudo idol. I want my word to feel like super glue. The truth I tell flies from me and sticks to you.

I want my laughter to feel like a stress dissolver that allows someone to escape if only for a short while. I want the end of the day to feel like a deep, cleansing, mindful breath.

I want being of service to feel like an effortless way to extend my heart for helping others.

I want my philanthropy to feel like a whodunit....a significant impact to many, but nameless because it's a blessing to give.

I want my challenges to feel like tests of wisdom, character and faith that separate a mediocre life from a phenomenal one.

I want my love to feel like an unbreakable, unshakeable, undeniable link that is displayed through actions and consistency.

I want my writing to feel like a limber ballerina whose agility and grace amplifies expressions of passion and foresight.

I want my ideas to feel like the spark of light Tom Edison discovered and Lewis Latimer perfected…thought → diagram → solid plan → execution = a lasting, life-changing, far-reaching effect.

Check out the Burning Question series and let us know which aspect of peeling back the layers of your feelings was most revealing to you!

Monday Moxie ~ Cultivating of the Relational Kind

noreply@blogger.com (♥ CG ♥) — Mon, 23 Jan 2012 05:00:04 PST

Cultivate relationships with those who can teach you. Let friendly intercourse [communication] be a school of knowledge, and let culture be taught through conversation. Thus you make your friends your teachers and mingle the pleasures of conversation with the advantages of instruction. Sensible people enjoy alternating pleasures: you are rewarded with applause for what you say and you gain instruction from what you hear. We are always attracted to others by our own interest, but in this case it is of a higher kind. Wise people frequent the houses of great nobility as theaters of heroism not temples of vanity.

The Art of Worldly Wisdom
~ Baltasar Gracián
☀ ☀ ☀

What do you think, fam?
Do you see any value in this approach to life lessons?

Monday Moxie ~ The Shining

noreply@blogger.com (♥ CG ♥) — Mon, 09 Jan 2012 15:39:52 PST

"I was once told that a star in the night sky could have died out long ago but since the light it generated takes years to travel to the earth, we see the star as if it is still there. In short, the star may be dead but its light goes on forever. We too are light and energy. While we live, we generate - through our actions, service, and love - our own glow. Some of us burn brightly; through our passion, deeds, goodness and love, we enlighten the world of others. Some of us play small, dimming our truth through fear, negativity, cynicism or apathy. This world needs our brilliance now for there is far too much darkness - it yearns for us to ignite our being in both small acts and spectacular displays. And when we are eventually gone, if we have been determined in our way, like the stars afar, the light of our lives will continue, it will go on forever, illuminating and inspiring generations to come. (For my ancestors of blood and spirit, I may not even know all your names but I walk in your light.)"

~ Newark Mayor Cory Booker

Twitter ♦ Facebook

Mayor Booker's assertion that we all walk in the light put forth by those who've paved the way for us, whether blood related or not, really spoke to me. I've been researching my genealogy over the past few months. It began without any real intention because I doubted there would be much beyond what I already knew. For years I didn't think I wouldn't be able to patch together some pieces of my paternal ancestry. My dad didn't talk much about some members of his family due to a misunderstanding years before I was even a thought in my parent's minds. Depending on who I'd ask about, he'd either give a tad bit of info or get irritated and change the subject. I didn't prod much and just accepted it for what it was in abstract terms -- empty branches on that side of the family tree.

Much to my surprise, so far I've found a plethora of information dating back to 1830. One relative after another, almost as if they were yelling "hey, what took you so long to find us!" Initially, it touched my heart to just to see the names and birth dates. I recall some of the names being mentioned by other family members, but seeing the info in black and white helped me gain a clearer understanding of the relationships on a basic level. Why my dad chose to estrange himself from some members of his family is a long story. It was a deeply personal choice that I think he may have regretted to some degree later in life, but was too stubborn to admit. Despite this, uncovering these connections has allowed those branches to flourish and paint a rich history. Happily, their light shines on :-)!

Twenty Eleven

noreply@blogger.com (♥ CG ♥) — Sat, 31 Dec 2011 19:33:07 PST

Truth be told, by the time February rolls around, any resolutions I've made are long forgotten. I know that very few will be realized no matter how good the intention. While I fully expected 2011 to be a milestone year of fire and new things, it ended up being one full of eye-openers and confirmation of some things I already knew to be true but needed the proverbial nail the coffin situation to seal. Going forward I'll do a short year in review instead. Out with stale thinking, people and situations.

Although it's extremely ridiculous, even at 40+ you have to teach some people how to treat you.
An insecure and empty person will often project their shortcomings towards you. Sadly, they may not realize it, but I don't think it's always your responsibility to point it out. You have the choice to eliminate that type of nonsense from your life...
Always choose substance and character over the physical.
I never realized the significance of the [overused] quip "get a life!". Some folks really do need to get a life in order to stay out of your business and see how much they've tried to control others.
This has to be said in alllll caps...

I WILL NEVER…EVER, EVER….IGNORE MY INTUITION AGAIN. PEOPLE DO SOME LOW DOWN, WAY DOWN LOW THINGS.

I saw it coming, even dreamed about it twice…what more does it take to realize you’re making the wrong judgment call?
I'm pleased that I've made several new friends who keep me laughing and viewing life from a variety of perspectives.
Don't sweat the small things...or small people.
No matter how many male friends, boyfriends, etc. you've had, you always remember those who are true gentlemen. Recently reconnecting with an old friend reminded me that some people simply reside in your heart forever.
"Closure" is some bullshiggity, you don't need it to move on with your life. Simply...make...the...decision...and...stick...to...it...
We have control over very few things in our lifetime, spend time on people and things that really matter.

Any given year is as happy as you make it. I wish you the best year yet!

Monday Moxie ~ Stir Up the Gift

noreply@blogger.com (♥ CG ♥) — Wed, 23 May 2012 21:21:19 PDT

You can choose to recognize, and act on, your vast inner wealth in this very moment. What would happen if you did?
~ Nona Jordan

Growing up, my dad would often say that I needed to focus on my tasks at hand because I was essentially playing around while everyone passed me by. That was his perception, I never gave it much thought until recently. Yep, I was the girl who'd rather do fun things, laugh, dance...anything but work on stuff that required me to sit down and essentially waste/b.s. with my time. I managed to get decent grades, etc. but perhaps he saw something in me that I didn't or couldn't at the time. Maybe he was partially correct.

When I read Nona's status update it seemed like a response to a conversation I had the day before with one of my besties. Immediately after reading it I had one of those lightbulb moments that sting a little but serve a purpose. While I'm successful in my own right, I know that my ultimate goals and lifestyle are on injured reserve. How is it that many of my peers and friends I've helped over the years have accomplished the goals and dreams they imagined for their lives? Visions that I co-signed, funded through encouragement and watched grow. Yet....I've started countless projects that slid into the pile of blah due to lack of interest, etc. In my case, it's largely due to not using what I know to be my strengths as a means of creating the life I desire. Yep, the onus is on me, no room for finger pointing or whining.

Given what I know now, I believe it's imperative to take time to be selfish in a way that benefits your best interests. Don't wait for the "right" time, generally, there is none. Don't fall into the mode of "as soon as" because life rarely aligns as planned. Even if for only a short time, find that innate sparkling nugget of clarity and inspiration each of us have. Every dream should be considered a viable option, especially those that challenge you to throw aside the fluffy blanket of comfort. Consider taking the time and effort to identify the strengths and talents that are beckoning for recognition and nurturing.

Your turn...how will your life change if you act on what Nona suggested?

Got Boobies?

noreply@blogger.com (♥ CG ♥) — Wed, 23 May 2012 21:19:05 PDT

{ source }

The title is a tad bit titillating <insert eye roll>, but this is a serious post. Needless to say we all have breasts and this is just my story, one I hope will help someone.

Journeying back some 10 years ago, the 2001-2003 timeframe was one of the stormiest periods of my life. Inside of a couple years, I made quite a few major life strides, but was also set back a few notches through the loss of my mom. She passed in February 2002 and I was still in transition by the time 2003 rolled around. My gynecologist discovered a breast lump during an annual exam that summer. This news not only emphasized the fact that my rock was no longer a phone call away, but that I didn't have the comfort and benefit of hearing her consistently encouraging and positive outlook on life. I knew then I would have to manage this one on my own. Talk about a dark, lonesome period of life. Unless something is really bothering me I deal with it and try not to dump unpleasant news on others. During this time, I also realized that unless you’ve experienced a similar situation it’s hard to relate, explain or even empathize.

Back to the main point...

In the summer of 2003, one of the most skilled breast surgeons in the area removed the fibroadenoma (a common non-cancerous tumor) and everything was fine.

The doctor suggested I have an annual mammogram to keep an eye on it, but I haven't…

This past January a slightly painful inflammation popped up, but it went away quickly so I wasn’t too alarmed and presumed it was “just a cyst”. I mentioned it to my doc and by the time she checked there was enough there to prompt her to give me a mammogram referral to rule out anything abnormal. Fast forward eleven months...winter blizzard, hot as hell summer...and I still hadn’t scheduled the appointment. I asked my sis if she would schedule hers on the same day, I knew that would keep me from delaying this further. Why wait so long? Honestly, I’m not worried or scared so I’m not exactly sure. We had our mammos last week and I also had a sonogram. The radiologist called me into tell and show me a lump that's present...again. I wonder if he thought it was strange that I wasn't stressed and basically had an "oh, that again" reaction. I'm scheduled to have it biopsied in mid-December and expect the same results as last time.

It took me a couple days to finish this post. Not because writing this would stir up unpleasant memories, but because I sincerely want to be an effective advocate for preventive health care. To reach those who have minimal experience with the system and all the cogs that make it work (or in many cases, fail to work) in a straightforward manner. Many of you have not reached the wonderful gateway to 40, neither had I when this happened the first time which emphasizes the importance of having an annual preventive care exam. In my case, if not for the standard clinical breast exam neither of the lumps would have been found as early as they were.

So after all of this background info, my main point to remind and encourage everyone to familiarize yourselves with and stick to the recommended preventive exam guidelines. If for nothing more than your peace of mind.

Just a few parting thoughts...

Ladies, get to know your breasts and body in general. Self exams only take a few minutes and help familiarize yourself with what's normal for you. Heck make it a team effort and ask your spouse/significant other to assist you *wink*. Make a mental note of any changes (no matter how slight) and mention it during your annual well woman exam. Believe me, it's better to know if something is going on rather than wait. The current clinical guidelines related to the age to begin and frequency of routine mammograms are being debated, but as with all personal health matters please consult your physician.

Guys, you’re not off the hook. Your preventive care exams are equally important.

Wishing you the best of health!

Resources

For clinical-based information on all things gynecology-related, the American College of Obstetricians and Gynecologists' website is a good resource.
If you are uninsured or under-insured, check out your local community health center for quality low-cost or free health services.

And, of course, the obligatory disclaimer -- This information is not intended to replace the advice of a doctor.