Lucid Dreaming 

Last night I tried an experiment with lucid dreaming. What is lucid dreaming? By definition "lucid" means to be aware, to be conscious of what is happening. Lucidity, is said to occur mostly during REM sleep, approximately 1 - 2 hours after a person has fallen asleep.

It's often said to be a rare occurrence, yet, I have been able to cause myself to have lucid & pre-programmed dreams starting when I was 8 years old. As a child, not knowing that it was supposed to be rare, I did it all the time.
As a child, I, also had prophetic dreams. Too many people become frightened by this or talk of this, so, it's necessary to be vigilant around other people when speaking of this. It is a natural, normal aspect of being human.
The media has given the message to people that it's a very rare phenomenon, therefore, people believe it to be unattainable.

False.

It's very attainable.

I'm doing it as I have done for most of my life. Then, again, due to my mothers strong intuitive nature which she passed on to me, along with her red hair, combined with Native American spirituality from my fathers side. Yeahh buddy! Add 'em all up, it's a deadly combination. *smile*

Last night, as I was thinking of lucid dreaming, I did something a bit differently to possibly bring it on. I have had a meditation practice for at least 10 years, and, no, not the sitting on the commode type! Ha ha!

Yesterday, after a good sweat sesh, I went home at 5 pm, had a hot shower, went through my nightly prepping for beddy-bye. Normally, I take a cold shower before bed and go to bed at 2130.

If a person wants different results, they must do things differently.

Riiiiiiiiiiiiiiight?

So, at home, a hot as possible shower, reading & prayers at 1800 vs the usual 2130. Going to sleep earlier gives a greater possibility of staying in REM sleep longer, I think, I don't know for sure on this one!
 Keep in mind, I'm just a humble farm girl from a small town. Am average in looks, I make up for that with a burning curiosity about everything, my IQ has been measured at 215. Hmmmmm!

Still, it's best to be humble.

At 1800, I began to meditate on the subject I wished to dream about. 
It's private, am unwilling to divulge this info.
Recalling pictures, past conversations, vocal inflections of the other party, it worked!
In last nights lucid dream, I said things to him which I had wanted to in real life, yet didn't for whatever reasons I had. It was as if we lived almost a lifetime together in one night. At one point in the dream, I told him, 
"Did you know that I'm dreaming, that you're part of my dream?"
He looked at me, smiled and said, 
"I kinda figured that, that's what was happening, thank you for calling me back, when you did."

It was such a good dream, yes, I remember everything about it. 

Am not certain that the same thing I did last night would work for me again or for anyone else. I only know it worked last night.

This morning, I woke up feeling so positive about the day! There have been 4 glitches, so far, this morning, yet, the good feelings, good vibes, ha ha! They have continued to be with me!

Lucid dreaming?

Getcha some!

Tell me how it went for you, in the comments section!

A Love Letter

This is a love letter to those of you out there, struggling with obesity.

You're wonderful, beautiful, a worthwhile person just as you are. I'm sure that many people out there who think they have no choice but to become overweight because most of the people in their family are.

I have proved that theory to be false.

Many people may feel they have allowed the habits which led them into obesity have put them in such a deep hole, there is no way out.

THERE IS A WAY OUT!

As women can tell you, it's a lot of work to lose the weight after giving birth to a baby. It feels impossible to gain the muscle tone in the abs back after the sweet baby is born.

It is very possible to gain a flat belly after the baby is born.

Another myth is when a person says they are too old to start working out. 

False.

Many people begin working out at age 30 or 40 or 50 or older. 

I'm one of those people!

Any other myths that you read, hear or have heard, are just that.

Myths.

To quote one of my favorite phrases:

"Once you start to see results, it becomes an addiction!"

This is something I have found to be true. Having worked to build lean muscle, while cutting weight with a lot of cardio & cleaning up my eating habits, sleeping habits, water drinking habits, I know the frustration.

I kept at it.

Someday, I may surprise you with before and after photos. I'm camera shy, I have had stalkers ~ it was frightening! Still, I have the before photos, I'm not quite to the after, not yet!

Recently, my weight has begun to drop. It has stayed roughly the same since 2012. Until 3 weeks ago. YESSS!

Personally?

I believe that because I kept at it, more consistently with time, I'm getting the results now!

Working out is part of life for me. When I have had a good workout, I feel fantastic! Very alive!

Sleep is better

Memory is better

Thinking is more clear

Mood is more happy & calm than it would be without a workout

I feel a tightness between my hip bones. My jeans fit differently thanks to the daily 30 - 60 weighted squats.

So.......you may wonder, why is this a love letter?

It's a letter to anyone reading this who struggled with being overweight as I have. Anyone who felt that it was futile to try to get back into the same shape they were in as a 20something or 30something when, for many people, being slender is just a "given".

Even if you were always the "fat kid" you can change that, as many people have!

Love yourself enough to exercise HARD, hard enough to see those results that will turn you into a happier, healthier person.

Love yourself enough to choose habits that will keep you off of the plethora of medications that make BIG Pharma wealthy.

Love yourself & believe in yourself so much that your actions reflect that loving belief in what you can do when you start from wherever you are to become more lean, more fit!

There are more resources now than ever before. Gym memberships are less costly. There are You Tube fitness videos, magazines & books at libraries. The supply of information is endless!

I will admit, I love myself enough to get out of bed most mornings, then, straight to the gym! Cardio, Yoga, Pilates, Strength training, weight resistance, free weights, weighted squats.

YES PLEASE! 

Ha ha!

Eating clean?

I will admit that I sometimes slip up. I get right back to it. It's called the 80/20 rule. Eat healthy 80% of the time. Have to enjoy life!

So, love yourself not just with words, love yourself with putting action behind those words!

L8erz!

TBT

I wrote this a few years ago, found it while prepping to do yet another purge of possessions.

Dreams of Passion

In my dreams I'm flying on the back of a stallion with wings

The night is dark the moon is a sliver

The wind ruffles my dress high up my thigh

In my heart and ears it just sings

In my travels around this beautiful blessed land

Many people and vistas have taught me so deep

Life lessons given as a gift

Though at the time I didn't understand

In my heart I keep my dream lover as close as I can

He loves me he comforts me makes love to my being

Sweet sweat and a sigh sweet quivering thigh

I could never be so sated with a flesh clad man

In real life I have fire, peace and faith as soul balm

Reveling is solitude is sadness and joy

My own space is a place untouched and calm

I Sleep

Each night after a relaxing shower, braiding my hair to keep it off my face all night, reading my Bible, then bedtime prayers, I sleep.
In a long silky, white floor length gown or a Mickey Mouse night shirt with socks that moisturize my feet as I sleep.

Nothing significant there, except, of course, for the nights that sleep can't find me or I can't find sleep. When I am able to sleep, there's a chance that the nightmares will happen, yet, a 50/50 chance that they won't. I take my chances.

A sleep aid is most often involved in getting to sleep. I used to use whiskey or vodka to help the process along. Mixing sleeping meds & alcohol didn't kill me although, many times I had wished it would! I only stopped using alcohol to speed the process when the empty calories impeded my goals in fitness & becoming more lean.

Have you heard of lucid dreaming?

Look it up!

I have used lucid dreaming to dream about that which I want, therefore, automatically eliminating what I don't want to dream of. It only works sometimes. 

As an aid to my lucid dreaming, I have photos of who and/or what I wish to dream of. Strongly focusing on that which is desired is only a part of the technique. The mood I'm in can also play a part. Then, there are safety words. Depending upon my mood, the dream can turn from bliss into terror in an instant. For this, I use a sound machine. Rain sounds, ocean sounds, crickets chirping sounds, babbling brook, white noise. It helps.

For those times when my gut tells me that the dream has a possibility of changing, I pre-program a safety word or phrase as I'm dropping off to sleep. In the dream, if it turns into a night terror, I can say the safety word or phrase to instantly escape from the danger or simply make myself wake up.

Sleep has been difficult for me only in the past 10 years or so. Sleeping alone is a very different sleep from when there is someone else in the bed. The warmth, comfort, sounds (as long as it isn't the ex huzz loud snoring!) of another person in the bed next to me were always conducive to better, uninterrupted sleep.

Staying single is my choice, I know. Also, staying happy, peaceful, with more freedom than I have ever had. 

Still, if I could choose who was in the bed next to me, I would sleep the slumber of angels.

For now? I use lucid dreaming.

Try it!

You might like it! 

Moving forward!

Change is the spice in life, for me! Living in a very small town in Michigan where I went to school with most of the same people from K - 12, living in the same house, change was disconcerting to me at that time.

US Air Force

When I left my parents home to serve my country, change was a constant presence, almost daily, in my life. People would enter my work/social sphere to leave quickly, some stayed, most of them left as suddenly as they arrived.
Very little advance notice.
There's no Change of Command Ceremony when one commands little to nothing, even in their own lives.

Single Life

It was a fast paced tumultuous time. Sometimes marred by sexual harassment, assault. Sometimes another male would intervene to give me some shelter from the abuse. Through it all, I learned who I was, what my capabilities are, as well as my own personal weaknesses. 
Coping, as best I could, rolling with the punches, the changes.

Married Life

99% work! Had to learn to organize, re-organize. Tear a home apart then put it all together in a new location, often a new country or state. Adapt. Adjust. Try to keep my sanity. Maybe it was the selfish male I was married to, maybe we were incompatible. Maybe a bit of both. Being married was a bad experience for me. I gave birth to 4 children, add in a selfish spouse, it was like having 5. UGH!

Single Again!

It was my choice, I filed, I even paid the $385. filing fee. I would have cut my right arm off to break free if I had to. Thankfully, I only had to pay the fee to become free from an abusive male.
It was a tough yet, necessary adjustment, for sure!
It was good that I had added being flexible, versatile & mentally/emotionally strong to my repertoire of skills.  Surviving a divorce takes more fortitude than anyone can imagine.
I learned to cook for one. Learned to keep noise in my domicile at all times to quash the ring of silence in the air.
The anger & absence of my children from my life was debilitating, so, I put photos of them away to ease the pain of missing them. I still missed them, yet, they were most certainly, dealing with their own pain as best they could. The 2 youngest lived with their father who poisoned their minds with his self pity & lies about me.
Que sera sera.

Living in Texas!!!!

Moving to Texas took a great deal of courage, it was a lot of work with a modicum of help from 2 friends who stuck by me. The UHaul truck was loaded up with 1/2 of the possessions I owned. 1/2 was sold in yard sales or donated or given away. The last of which, I put a "Curb Alert" on Craigslist, filling the yard with the last of the items I decided I could do without. Thank you to all the Mexicans in Colorado Springs, CO for carting it off!
With my car dollied behind the UHaul truck, my 2 Yorkies, Jake & Jefferson on the front passenger seat beside me, enough "healthy food" to keep me out of the truck stop diners, we drove on down!
It took 10 hours with only 2 stops for the boys to run around & to fill the fuel tank.
We were on an adventure.
I was in a lot of pain at times, I did experience a bit of anxiety at times, yet, we made it!
Texas has a lower cost of living than Colorado. The people are definitely nicer. At least on the surface whereas the people of Colorado, in my experience, were colder, even snobby.

Life Since Moving to Texas

Life has been, I would say, different. It's tough to make friends in a small town where people are, mostly,  very suspicious & closed off to anyone they didn't go to High School with or are not related to.
There are enough exceptions to this rule to make life a bit more pleasant.
The owner of an antiques, odds & ends shop who is just kind hearted! She opens her heart, opens her mind to those in need. Even if it's just a friendly conversation when things are slow in her shop.

The guy who's in charge of many charitable organizations in this town. He gives of his time and the resources of which he is a steward, to Veterans as well as others in need of counsel.

Last, yet, certainly, not least, the fellow Veteran who has opened her home & offered her friendship to me! She's one of the kindest people I have met since moving here. She's also very clever & a lot of fun to be around! 


Still, I have had to adapt to many changes, since moving to Texas. I have moved out of choice or necessity, 5 times since 2012. I'm looking to move a 6th time in 2017. Being happy is paramount for me. Deciding to be happy was one of the best decisions I have ever made.
I want to be happy, therefore, I will be. 
A funny thing, the human mind. It has power beyond comprehension!

Other changes, happily is that my weight is steadily dropping! My weight is at the lowest it has been in a long long time. Muscle tone is increasing, my mind is more clear than ever. 
Since moving to Texas, in May of 2012, I have dropped 30 lbs. Oh, I still want to drop another 30, while increasing muscle tone, to be more fit than ever.
It feels good.

Maybe, it's due to living in a smaller, more quiet city, yet, the ability to focus, to concentrate has returned. This ability left me in the turmoil of divorce. It's not at the level that it once was, yet, I'm grateful to say, it's quite close & improving steadily! Whereas I could not focus enough to read even one paragraph in a book, I can, now speed read through a book in one afternoon. 
Progress!

Spirituality as well as faith in a higher power has also returned to me. This is a deeply personal struggle, which I won't provide details on, yet, it has also steadily come back to me.

Whereas, being single & alone, without a man in my life, at first, used to scare me into depression, deeply painful loneliness setting in. 
Having learned how to be single, again, has taught me that I can be just as happy with a man in my life as I can be, without one. I will always love & appreciate men & the masculine traits which are so appealing to me. 
Knowing that I have so much to give, so much that is desirable to offer, used to make me feel that it was all so wasted. It isn't wasted. It's preserved within me.
If the right man comes into my life, great, if he doesn't, I'll be fine.
Having a man in my life is less important than having happiness, peace, flashes of excitement & FUN!
I have had several opportunities to date, even marry, none of which felt right, so, I declined to move it forward. Very good decisions.
Many women seem to need a man in their lives in order to feel whole, complete, as if they are somehow, more worthy as a woman simply because another person of the male gender desires to share a life with them. If this is how they feel, I say, GO FOR IT! :)
I feel complete, worthy & whole, a man in my life would be a bonus vs being the whole raison de etre. (reason to exist or to be).

Life is quite good for me, right now. My VA saga is drawing to a conclusion, weight is dropping, concentration has returned.

Happiness is under-rated.

Are you happy, dear reader? I hope so!

Find your inspiration & happiness, it's everywhere!

Peace

A Romantic Heart

Once in awhile, like this morning, my soft, romantic heart is stirred into awakening. 

There has been tragedy in my church family as well as my own, which touched my heart with sadness, with love for those who are grieving, with reflection on my own suicidal tendencies.

It's true.

I DO have suicidal thoughts, have even made a few attempts in the misery of my abusive marriage. Failed attempts. Only thoughts of suicide since then. 

A suicide plan. 

When I feel the sadness that 2 suicides have generated, it makes me rethink my own suicide plan.

People who speak out against suicide don't understand how it feels.

People who end their own lives don't want to die, yet, it's the only way they can think of to end their deep, searing pain.

Permanently.

I know this pain, personally.

I live with it. 

My heart has been battered, bruised & torn by the pain of the cruelty of males in my life. The cruelty of a gang of girls who nearly killed me. The cruelty of living in a small town where most of the people don't want me, here. Many have asked me, 

"Why don't you move somewhere else?"

or

"If I were you, I would just move somewhere else."

It's far from being so simple.

The tragedy of the events of the weekend, the cooling off of the weather, then, an excellent morning workout. All of this has put me in a reflective mood, already.

Then......

My softened heart, tenderized, already.The song played by my favorite country station, started. It speaks to my heart. It speaks to the soft woman that I am. 

A soft ooshy-gooshy heart which I fiercely protect with an impenetrable wall around it lest it become shattered, as it was in 2012, ever again. I wrote on my heart, a vow to protect it from being hurt again. An important promise to keep.

****************************************************

They read you Cinderella, 

you hoped it would come true

That, one day, your Prince Charming 

would come rescue you

You like romantic movies, 

you never will forget

The way you felt when 

Romeo kissed Juliet

All this time that you've been waiting!

You don't have to wait no more!

I can love you like that

I would make you my world

Move heaven and earth if you were my girl

I will give you my heart

Be all that you need

Show you you're everything that's precious to me

If you give me a chance

I can love you like that

I never make a promise I don't intend to keep

So when I say forever, forever's what I mean

I'm no Casanova but I sweat this much is true

I'll be holding nothin back when it comes to you

You dream of love that's everlasting

Well, baby, open up your eyes.......

***************************************

I know that was long, yet, it gives you the idea of what type of mood I'm in on this cool, misty morning. 

Yes, I do believe that this kind of love exists. I believe there are strong, kind, masculine guys who love their wives with their whole hearts. More importantly, they are faithful to their wives, mind, body, heart & soul. I know these guys exist.

There has only been one true man in my life who was this way with me, yet, I see other men who are this way with their lovely wives.

Romance?

Yes, please!

Please, sir, could I have some more romance?

Yes, more, if you have it to give.

Although my heart is closed to all males, it's opened to romance. Romance which can be;  listening to romantic music, dressing in soft silky clothing which feels so good on my skin. Romance can be reading poetry which describes the stirrings of the heart.

My heart was not always closed. It had to close to protect what is left of the positive feelings toward the males in the world who are good men who have never harmed it. 

Just like an egg, the shell around it protects the delicate contents. It would only take just the right pressure of one with truly honorable intent to break the shell.
The fairytale "true love's first kiss to break the spell" or, in this case, the honorable intent to break the hard shell.

Maybe he has not revealed himself to me, or maybe he has. *smile*

Stay tuned.

HE

He made me feel I was beautiful with one simple word

More beautiful than anyone or anything

Has ever or could ever in my life

Reassuring words for him

Kind eyes on me

His smile

His words meant more to me than any money or chocolate

Sweeter and more caressing than I ever heard

It was the way he spoke in such a hush

Steady gazing eyes a bit of caution

Sincerity personified 

His presence was a charismatic blend of gentleman & celebrity

Taking in my every movement with such attentiveness

Truly listening to drink my words in with care

Listening not just waiting to respond

It's my hope in my woman's heart that he felt respected

As a man desires to be respected by a woman

I truly felt the deep respect for him

Expressions of wonder mixed with trepidation in his gaze

He made me feel cared about like no other

He made me feel attractive, safe, important, respected, desired

It seemed that the chemistry & complement was mutual

Holding It In

This morning, I noticed something. When getting ready for the day aka ready to work out, the yoga pants I put on, were loose around my belly.

Yeah - Yeah, fitness talk!

There was a tight feeling in my lower abs. Did Santa know what I wanted & brought it early? It's too late in the year for the Easter Bunny or my birthday! Although Halloween is a couple days away, it's more delightful than it is frightening!

With my weight steadily dropping, 80/20 clean eating, daily cardio. Add in the 20 - 30 weighted squats every day, my abs are becoming more firm, more flat. It's happening!

Some people are naturally slender or knew how to remain at a healthy weight.

Unfortunately, I wasn't one of those people.

Having to work my way back to a healthy BMI as well as reducing weight, it feels very nearly miraculous to me when my belly is flat without having to suck it in then hold it in! Putting my jeans on, to go to Sunday School, I tucked my blouse in, something ordinary? Au contraire. I used to tuck my shirts & silky blouses in all the time until I had gained too much weight.
Now? I tuck my shirts & silky blouses in all the time, it feels so good! The proof of my belly getting more flat & firm with time.

To a logical, reasonably intelligent person it would only be a matter of cause & effect. Seeing me, as I work out, gasping for breath, drenched in sweat, it would only make sense for the changes in my body to occur!

Being grateful for everything is part of my personality.

Therefore, it feels miraculous to me that the return of muscle tone as well as flat toned abs is returning! Not where I want to be, yet, getting there, slowly.

If you are of the same ilk as I was, it may be something you can understand.

I know I'm going to have to find a new favorite pair of jeans in a few months. 

I'm on the 8th notch in on my belt ( the last one in) , so, probably a new belt, too. 
O darn!

It's been a difficult journey, turning back into who I really am. Changing everything about my life. Changing eating habits, sleeping habits, total permanent lifestyle overhaul! Yes, permanent!

Going on a temporary "diet" will yield temporary results. Permanent changes, well, .....yeah, you know!

It IS difficult, yet, so rewarding, so satisfying!

Had to do it for myself!

I'm worth it!

If you decide to make whatever positive changes, it has to come from within.

Do it for you!

You're worth it!

Peace out!

What do girls want?

Being just one girl out of thousands in the world, it's safe to say, I can only speak for myself. 

Also, having discussed the topic of what other girls desire, just as safe to say that other girls want many of the same things I want, also, some things different from me.

Having heard this lament from guys, many times~

"I want a woman who knows what she wants!"

It seems to me that guys DO want a girl who knows what she wants, just as long as what she wants is what he, also wants and/or can give her if he can.

If she doesn't want what he wants or can't give her, well, he will comfort himself with, "Oh, she was just crazy."

Many guys seem to give all women the same dismissal under one blanket statement ~

"She was crazy."

Other derivatives?

Sure!

There's ~ 

She was crazy ~

~ Psycho

~ Stupid

~ Lazy

~ Frigid

~ too slutty

~ not slutty enough

~ Demanding

~ Bitchy

~ Weird

All of these seem to allow the guy to forget that he was a total jerk to her, cheated on her, blamed her for his faults.

This is an easy out. This is also a little boys way, not a man.

Taking responsibility for your own actions is the first step to maturity. Let the other person arrive at their own conclusions, taking on their part in the breakdown in a relationship.

I digress.

What do girls want?

A quote attributed to Marilyn Monroe, although I'm not quite sure she actually said it ~

"All a girl wants is for one guy to prove to her that they are not all the same way."

This pretty much sums it up. How does a guy do that? Relatively simple. It does require some self discipline, some self control. It takes a guy who is self confident plus mature enough to get over his fears of getting attached, getting hurt, looking stupid.

It takes courage!!!

As long as both the guy and the girl are truly legally & emotionally single, available, all systems ~ GO! 

F.Y.I. ~ Separated is still married, living with baby mama means you're still attached, therefore NOT single.

As long as there is chemistry, commonalities, both the guy & girl like each other as people, all systems ~ GO!

From my own experience as well as what I have heard from other girls, here is the incomplete list.

Girls want:

A guy who will get to know what is between her ears without trying to get between her legs as the main objective to achieve.

A guy who calls when he says he will call, shows up when he says he will show up, is where he says he will be. If he has a very truthful reason why he can't carry through with plans ( a legitimate death in the immediate family, called in to work, is really physically ill, etc.) cancel within 6 hours minimum. More time would be better.

A gentleman, he opens the door, then holds it while she walks through first, then, he follows. (It's not rocket science!) He uses polite words out of respect for her. As you get to know each other better, some girls are okay with "colorful metaphors."

A guy who takes care of himself physically, mentally, emotionally, financially. If he can take care of himself, he can take care of her and it will make her want to take care of him in return. 

Like it or not, this is a very attractive trait. 

These are just the basics. 

A guy will know that she likes him when she keeps responding to him. 

Guess what? A girl who truly likes a guy will not require him to have a lot of money or to spend a lot of money on her for her to like him.

When a girl accept the meals, gifts & activities a guy can pay for as he is happily willing and able, because he wants to,she likes HIM.

When she asks or even demands, communicating that she expects him to be spending large amounts of money in order to spend time with her, she doesn't like him. 

She likes the money.

She wants a guy who will make her feel safe, that he can protect her if she needed him to do so.

I have seen it written that when a guy is really into a girl, when and ONLY when he is free to do this honestly, truthfully, sincerely.

Profess ~ Tell her how you feel, whether it means that you love her, just want to be friends (friends,means no sexual interaction!).

Provide ~ Somehow, I think you men can figure this out on your own!

Protect ~ Arms around her when she is sad or cold or scared. An umbrella from the rain. A listening ear, a strong shoulder.

Needless to say. I am a traditional girl.

Please feel free to comment, please be courteous.

L8ers!

I Take Chances

Bonus blog entry! Ha ha, yupp!

Feeling very prolific today as I am, yes, a second entry for today!

Maybe it's the feeling of strength I have from a good hard workout this morning. 

Maybe it's the victory of having found the way to gain muscle, drop weight, steadily, slowly, the healthy way.

My weight is the lowest it has been in a long long time & dropping. It will drop by 1/2 lb, hold for a couple days, then drop by 1 more lb. Slowly, steadily, it's happening. So exhilarating! 

Victory is mine!

I'm done crowing. (for today) :)

Taking chances, I believe, is the product of a deep curiosity, an active imagination, an intelligent, creative mind. 

If I press this button, what will it do?

If I touch this, what will it feel like?

Will it hurt?

Will be smooth or rough?

What is his name? What is his favorite color?

Something new? I want to try it!!!

Something that has been around awhile which I have, as yet, had little opportunity to try? The opp is here? YESS! Let's go!

When saying that I take chances, I'm talking about smaller experiences. The bigger thaanngs? Those are calculated, informed risks. The higher the probability of damage whether spiritual, emotional, physical, financial, I do a bit of research for those risks.

Trying anything that is new or new to me is something that is very exciting, to me. It does it for me, makes me tick-tick-tick. Yes, it can even be said that it turns me on! Flips the switch!

Chances I have taken in the past are ~

Moving to Texas

Meeting someone in Las Vegas in 2014

Trying a new pre-workout supp that other people hated

(I like it)

Following a path out by the lake just to see where it leads

Receiving an email from someone with his phone number & a request to phone him. I didn't know him, he was fun to talk to!

I blocked my number. Calculated risk! lol.

Life is full of surprises. When taking small or large risks, it only adds to the adventure!

Do it!

Learn it!

Love it!

Live it!

Integrity & An Aha Moment!

Does it make sense?

No?

It will in a moment!

Technology, electronics, gadgets, they all fascinate me! The stereotype of the over 40 person who doesn't understand or like technology, doesn't like social media, etc.? It doesn't apply to me!

I love it!

Getting a new phone, iPad, laptop or the opportunity to play with technology is exciting to me. It's the attitude of ~

Let's see what this beyotch can doooooooooo!  :)

Recently, I "acquired" an new iPad as a gift. Legally, honestly, a gift. When I played with it, which spells F-U-N fun, for me, I found some information which, if I had been a dishonest person with low integrity, would have gotten me some $$$. The information in the form of user accounts with their passwords gave me access to financial as well as personal information.

Sherman Kendall, my beloved grandfather told me that if a person cannot be trusted with money, they can't be trusted with anything else. In today's world, if a person utilizes user account names & their passwords for their own gain, they can't be trusted.

A modern twist on my grandfathers advice!

My grandfather was very Jeffersonian in nature. He would have loved the challenges plus the uses for the technology of today!

When playing with my iPad, I found the exact information I described. Rapid heart rate, a rush of blood ensued as I realized just what I had. It was DEFINITELY and AHA! moment.

If I were a dishonest, untrustworthy person, I could have used the information to my advantage. I had access to bank accounts, social media user names & passwords. Email account addresses & the passwords.

Being a person with integrity, I went to one of the people whose personal information, I had. I showed her how I uncovered the information so she could protect her privacy, keeping it from falling into the wrong iPad users possession. 

Showing her the user names & passwords, then, with her as my witness, deleted the information right in front of her. 

It felt good.

It was proof of my integrity on display.

Trust & verified trust. A head rush!

There are so many liars, cheaters, fakes, flakes & backstabbers out there in the world. Unfortunately, I have met far too many.

Personally, I am not in any of those categories. When people meet me, they are a bit skeptical. I am very sincere, very genuine, people doubt as to my authenticity. As in, if it seems to good to be true, it's most likely fake.

Not thizz chick!

Am not perfect, of course, no one is. We all fall down in our integrity at times. Some people in big ways, some people, in small ways. It truly is a learning process. OMGoodness, have I ever learned. The painful way, the hard way, the way in which a person is forever changed on many levels.

My experience of today was my integrity on display!

L8ers!