Very superstitious?

Superstitious? At a time, to a fault...

In celebration of yet another Friday the 13th quickly approaching, it got me thinking about my highly superstitious self throughout the years.  I've been avoiding broken mirrors, walking under ladders and any other widely recognized superstition you can think of for years.  I even began to enthuse my own superstitions when I was in school.  While some are painfully embarrassing, others were more common and included things like "lucky socks" for basketball games and purposefully telling myself I would fail tests, when I knew deep down I knew that wasn't the case.  Set your expectations extremely low and I guess you're never disappointed.

In any event, I'm happy to say that my superstitious ways have really subsided for the most part.  I have some moments but I'm happy to report I do leave my house on Friday the 13th, would happily stay on the 13th floor of a hotel, all while looking into an old broken compact mirror.

Truth

I wrote this late last night. It's my therapy, thanks for reading!

It happens when you least expect it; life that is. The good, the bad, the ugly and the beautiful all appear intermittently throughout your lifetime.  I’ve had the privilege of experiencing every end of the spectrum.  Yes, even the bad and the ugly serve their purpose and are meant to teach us valuable lessons that perhaps cannot be taught any other way.  After losing a parent and losing (in another sense) a partner I was once destined to marry, I can say with confidence and with firsthand experience that life can be unbearably hard.   Just when you think you have it all figured out, everything you’ve ever known can be altered in a heartbeat, literally. 

I lost my dad on January 9^th 2009.  I was 22 and could never have prepared myself for such a painful heartache and tremendous lost.  For those of you who have had the privilege of knowing my father, you know exactly what I mean.  There’s not a day that goes by I don’t think about my dad and I sure hope I’m making him smile in the clouds.

This past September I was faced with another sort of lost. After being together for well over a decade, my “high school sweetheart” and I closed, not a chapter, but rather a lengthy novel that has been wrote in great detail.  Just like any thrilling novel, our story contained an abundant amount of: love, dedication, trials, tribulations, despair and joy alike. There’s little I regret in terms of my time spent with him.  Despite multiple attempts to make it work, I think we were both faced with the harsh reality that life doesn’t necessarily always pan out the way you had envisioned it to, but the beautiful thing is learning that it’s okay. We’ve both since been learning more about ourselves than we could have ever imagined and it’s now time to move forward and start our own journeys. 

“When life gives you lemons, make lemonade.”

There are two avenues one can take when faced with hardships.  There’s the path of least resistance and then there’s the path of change and perseverance.  After wandering down both paths I’ve come to the realization that there’s really only one thing certain in life and that’s uncertainty.   You never truly know what’s in store for you on this short journey called life, however I’m continuing to learn that resistance is a disservice to time and most often things really do happen for a reason, whether you believe in that cornball statement or not, it’s my personal Truth.  Metaphorically speaking, the universe and higher powers at be ultimately hold the wheel, however it’s our responsibility to control the pedals.  Live life to its fullest, learn from past mistakes, believe in change, embrace the unknown and have faith that everything will be okay. 

For those friends and family, old and new, you know who you are, thank you from the bottom of my heart for your relentless support and love you’ve shared with me during my darkest moments.   

Call me corny and sappy, (I know it’s true), but please also don’t forget to call me humble, honest, kind and grateful for life and all of its wonderful experiences and possibilities.  Cheers!

Love, Lisa

Snowball

I was inspired to write this letter on a whim to someone special a few days ago.  I believe there's some real validity in this and thought I would share it (in part) on my blog. Happy & prosperous New Year! Muah!!

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Whether its relationships, friendships, hardships, family, career goals, education, etc… I wanted to share something with you.  I look up to Warren Buffet for many reasons, more than just his financial successes, he’s truly an innovator, philanthropist at the core and intelligent beyond belief.  His ideas and philosophies on life in general are really something wise to invest in.  When I was researching something a while back I came across the quote and it really stuck with me.  As a matter of fact, I have it on my fridge at home, not sure if you observed it, it reads:

“The snowball just happens if you’re in the right kind of snow, and that’s what happened with me.  I don’t just mean compounding money either.  It’s in terms of understanding the world and what kind of friends you accumulate.  You get to select over time, and you’ve got to be the kind of person that the snow wants to attach itself to. You’ve got to be your own wet snow, in effect. You’d better be picking up snow as you go along, because you’re not going to be getting back up to the top of the hill again.  That’s the way life works.”

Basically, if you look at life in terms of a snowball, you need to be sure that you’re gathering the right kind of snow.  Like attracts like, so as long as you remain optimistic, driven, and recognize what’s really in front of you, take those chances and see the opportunity in everything, I think success in all different aspects of life are inevitable. You can’t necessarily make a snowball out of dry/powder snow.  Sure you’ll pick up a little bit here or there, but eventually the snow falls off and you’re back to square one trying to rebuild that snowball.  Whether its friends, career moves, education, romantic partners or even just mere acquaintances, choose wisely.  The more time and effort you invest in people or things that don’t benefit you in the long run, the more you set yourself up for failure and negativity really does breed negativity. Sure, we’re all destined to make some mistakes along the way, but it’s how you pick yourself up and move forward that we truly begin to see ourselves and the beauty in everything around us. And at the end of the day, True success is not a destination but rather in the journey in which we embark upon; Perseverance in the truest sense. 

Further, I know the universe works in mysterious ways and never has then been so apparent to me than the last 6 months.  I too had some awful luck, for a lack of better words, and I now know that everything has occurred for a reason, something I’ve always believed in but is really apparent to me at this point in my life.  A wise person once told me that a pendulum can only swing so far left (bad), that eventually, slowly but surely, it starts to swing the right direction and happens for good/honest/humble people, like myself and I believe will hold true for you as well J

Have faith that you’re now on the up and up and don’t ever sell yourself short or settle for something that’s anything less than positive, genuine and beneficial to the universe’s master plan for you. I believe bright things may be on the horizon….

Immigration Checkpoints Challenging Freedom

Typical behavior for a woman in her twenties, I was driving the other day and listening to an insightful series on NPR.  That Saturday's segment was in reference to the ongoing debate/legality of immigration checkpoints here in the U.S. located near the southern borders.  Living far north of the Midwest region, I was not privy to this sort of practice and was a little taken back by what I heard.  For those of you unfamiliar like myself, allow me explain.  In regions near the southern boarder of the U.S. and Mexico, states like Arizona, Texas, New Mexico, etc.., you'll find various checkpoints located up and down the highways in an effort to, mainly, detain illegal immigrants.  The scene is familiar as most roadway checkpoints scenarios are concerned. Cones, officers in uniform and traffic signs set the stage for motorist to slow their vehicles and interact with commanding boarder control officers.  The officers ask a short series of questions, the main question being, "are you a U.S. citizen?"  Think TSA security checkpoints in the airport.  Though, as pointed out by the narrator, these motorists weren't at an airport, nor are they even remotely close to the boarder.  You see, these motorists are traveling roads 50+ miles north of the boarder.  If their proximity to the boarder is that far out, why exactly is boarder control, controlling interstates roadways so far north of an actual boarder?  Why stop 50 miles off the boarder, when we can have boarder checkpoints in states like Colorado or Iowa why we're at it.  Have these officers/government have nothing better to do?  Do these checkpoints really capture hard-pressing aliens or are they moreso a burden to the majority of legit U.S. citizens who succumb to the pressure of these roadway checkpoints to simply be told to "have a good day," upon their series of questioning.

Evidently some law abiding citizens have had just about enough of these seemingly unnecessary roadway checkpoints. The opposition points out that the checkpoints are unconstitutional and have zero regard to the 4th or 5th amendment, ignoring non-plausible searches and having to answer such questions that hold little merit for a "routine" checkpoint. And just who is getting the brunt of the hard hitting questioning subjected by boarder control officers, minorities of course; particularly those of Latino decent.  Not having personally been subjected to racial profiling, I have no experience as to what it must feel like to be subjected to discrimination.  Judgments based on one's appearance, various stereotypes and having to explain oneself that you're an U.S. citizen just on their way to work, sounds like the opposite of freedom. Extremely disheartening to say the least.  Such questioning and interrogation serves it's purpose in airports and on actual boarders, not in state 50 miles north.  Thankfully, in an effort to preserve some decency for those legal immigrants and the goodwill of the constitution, some citizens have chose to voice their dismay and stand up for their constitutional rights by simply ignoring the questions.

Located at https://www.checkpointusa.org/ you'll find information on those citizens who choose to stand up to these unnecessary immigration checkpoints.  The youtube links are located at the bottom and are worthy of some time to watch.  Motorists of all ethnicities, but primarily Caucasians and African Americans, take a stand against the officers and quickly flip the tables.  "Am I being detained," and "am I free to go" are the common rebuttals to the countless questions that the officers fire off at the motorists. The motorists are relentless and do not succumb to the pressure.  Most remain calm and relatively non-confrontational in an effort to preserve our nation's freedom and show distaste for such seemingly unimportant checkpoints.

And for those illegal immigrants that are detained inward, are few and far in between.  As a matter of fact, a majority of the detainees are actually drug or weapon violations.  Which of course has it's upside, but even at that, the officers are simply fishing for some sort of criminal activity and disguise it as these "immigration checkpoints," A little intrusive to say the least.

Lesson to be learned? Keep boarder control at boarders. Preserve the constitution and know, that as an U.S. citizen you have rights that should be upheld under any and all circumstances.  Be in the know and spread the word. Peace, love and harmony.

Thanksgiving 2014 #Caleb

Thanksgiving 2014 looks a little different than those of the past.  There's a missing face or two, a couple faces anew and friends of the past that are long overdue. So many reasons to be thankful in 2014, I'm indeed truly happy. 

#cheers 

At the gymnasium...

As a pretty avid gym goer, it never seizes to amaze me some of the shit I see and hear on a fairly regular basis.  I genuinely love exercise, I don’t particularly enjoy the antics I witness at the gym, not to mention the stale air of sweat and a bazillion germs and viruses lurking on every surface encountered.  Exercising outdoors is far more enjoyable than any day in the gym, but as it stands, I’ve never really been fond of working out outdoors during the cold months here in Michigan, so, to the gym I go. 

I’ve been attending the same gym since college, which has both its perks and downfalls.  In general, I enjoy my facility and most of my gripes about the gym would happen just about anywhere, even if I did choose to branch out to my local country club or Powerhouse gym. 

Gripe #1 – It’s not my social hour

When I go to the gym, I go to work. Please leave me be.  Don’t get me wrong, I’m as social as they come when you meet me out in a restaurant, bar or starbucks, but when I’m at the gym and I’m dripping with sweat and can barely catch my breath let alone hold a conversation, please let me get the most out of my hour in the gym so I can get the hell out of there.  Which leads me to my next gripe…

Gripe #2- The gym is not a fashion show

Women and their lulu lemon pants, matching track suits, hair down and neon everything make me giggle. Don’t get me wrong, I have a pretty sweet pair of white/neon kicks I enjoy, but I’m in no way, shape or form someone who puts much thought into their workout gear.  I’m the chick in an oversized cutoff t-shirt, standard black pants and her hair slicked back with sweat; in short, I’m not looking my best, therefore I’d rather not converse with anyone, let alone someone of the opposing sex.  Moreover…

Gripe #3- Creepy guys at the gym are the worst

Sometimes guys really do have no shame.  Listen dude, I can feel your eyes on my back (likely ass) and it really makes me uncomfortable.  However, it also motivates me to push harder, run faster and burn off more steam, so hey- I guess that’s a plus.  Guys that approach me at the gym to either compliment me or ask me for advice are a lot to take in.  I have a hard time taking compliments from women at the gym let alone the dude who just had to come over and say something.  Again, I look atrocious and really don’t see the appeal.  Even when I wore an engagement ring at the gym it didn't seem to deter men from approaching me at the most inopportune times.  I appreciate those men/women who genuinely appreciate something I had been doing, but all and all, a thumbs up is pretty sufficient and we can all go about our merry work out.

Gripe #4 – People who spectate

I’ll never understand the people who come to the gym and walk on a treadmill for 2 hours at a snail’s pace. I’m really beginning to wonder if some people really do frequent the gym for social hour or to meet new people.  I get it, whatever floats your boat, but I personally find it uncomfortable for those of us working hard and extremely counterintutive to your health and gym membership. I've heard we burn calories while sleeping, that may be another viable option...

Clearly, the gym can be a nuisance at times, however it certainly beats the alternative…  To help illustrate the amount of sweat that escapes my pores, please observe this pic of my workout bench I snapped last weekend. I tried telling you, I’m no joke in the gym J  

I'm Working on It!

I've been taking a little hiatus while I try to get my life back in order. Lots of changes are happening all around me and I'm attempting to go with the flow as best I can, though it hasn't presented me with much time to put pen to paper.  Stay tuned, I'll have some pretty good reads coming your way soon enough. I think it's safe to say I have lots of new inspiration and humor to share with this new chapter of my life. I can't make some of this shit up, so please check back friends, I think you'll find some enjoyment in my somewhat uncomfortable misery- new outlook on life. Love and be well!

Lisa