I swear I’ve done this question many times over or it just sounds more than familiar. Anyway, I’m trying to stay with answering every question that WordPress throws my way and I’ve taken it on as a challenge.
In that vein, I’ll try to answer this one as well. If I could go back in time and give my younger self advice, I would say, “Stop Being Afraid!” Fear stopped me from doing many things and I could have achieved more than I did if “fear” hadn’t stood in my way.
Sometimes it meant well but at other times, it was just there because I had decided to take it on as my best buddy. We stayed close for a long, long, time.
It still sticks around but now that I am older and wiser and less prone to fear attacks, I don’t pay it much mind. I’m still cautious but not gripped with fear.
Advice to younger self, let go of fear but don’t let go of your common sense!
If you could go back in time and give your younger self advice, what would it be?
It is absolutely awful outside. Rain has moved in and it is gloomy, wet, and enough to make your mood dip if you let it.
I took the trash out because it needed taking out and dashed back in because the rain was picking up speed. It’s a day for cozying up with Chachi, the cat, but it looks like he has other plans. The Little Buttercup is curled up in his basket by the window. He complained that his TV wasn’t working right this morning because it was still dark outside when we got up and he couldn’t see a thing. After it righted itself out, he stared outside for a little while and then decided that it was time to catch up on his sleep since he kept me up most of the night with his antics!
The thing is even the nastiest of days have something of beauty within them. Instead of diving into my everything is bad mode, I decided to look at what I can be grateful for and there is plenty to be thankful for.
My warm bed with the thick soft blankets is one thing.
The new pillow that cradles my head and neck perfectly and has been a godsent after the surgery. I don’t get up with a backache anymore so thank you.
Thank you for the warmth in the room. The heater seems to be working fine and that is a good thing.
The TV that keeps me occupied when I have nothing better to do.
Food that nourishes my body and soul and is getting me back on my way to being fit and healthy again.
Of course, my body, the incredible body that has taken a beating and is fighting back. It is resilient and I am thankful for that.
It is raining outside but I’m in a warm, dry, place and I have love, Chachi, by my side, coffee to keep me going, and a positive mindset that will take me through this day and for that I am truly thankful.
There is always something to be thankful for and you don’t have to look far either. It’s there if you look with a positive mindset. I hope you find plenty to be thankful for.
“It’s up to you to find the beauty in the ugliest days.” Unknown
I think my past self would be very proud of the way I’ve overcome being an introvert. I used to be one and loved wearing that badge. I didn’t like attention but I got plenty of it, sitting at the back of the classroom was my thing and don’t stare at me was the other!
Life was never easy being an introvert. I passed up opportunities because I wasn’t brave enough and that introvert factor did its job well. It wasn’t until I moved out of my teen years and into adulthood that I started giving my constant companion a boot out the door.
However, I think my past self would be very proud of how I’ve handled life. I can walk into any situation now with my head held high and I hold my own. I’ve given speeches in big auditoriums looking calm and collected but they didn’t see me quaking in my shoes, if only they had looked closer! I don’t care anymore if I get stares, when I do I meet them with a big smile. Most of all, I’m not afraid of new situations that would require being front and center. I handle it with grace and move on from there.
Getting rid of the introvert factor didn’t happen overnight. It took practice and it also took telling myself that “I AM ENOUGH,” as I am. It took years but here I am looking and feeling confident and ready to handle any situation. One more thing, it does show up now and then, but it doesn’t have the power it used to have back then. It is lukewarm at best and moves on out the way it came in.
What’s something you’ve done that your past self would be proud of?
I was sad when my little Italian cafe closed. I’ve written about the little place in the city many times. A great place to have breakfast, meet friends, or to just sit and people watch.
They left a month ago. The place is closed, the furniture removed, and there is no sign that they will ever return. What happened? That is the question on everyone’s mind, the regulars anyway. I was more than sad when a girlfriend took me to another place. It is further away, a twenty minute drive, and I had already made up my mind that nothing was going to replace MY cafe.
We popped in one morning and the place was jam-packed. It had an American feel about it but mixed in with European as well. The interior was pretty small and it was loud. People were chatting, laughing, and looked like they were having a great time. I told myself, “Too loud, too crowded, and not my kind of place.” I hate changes and I wasn’t about to give up on my non-existent place yet. We took a seat and the menu came. To my surprise, it had Chia pudding with berries, scrambled eggs with salad and bacon, avocado toast, done different ways and a whole host of other stuff. We ordered and the food came. It was delicious, the service fantastic, except for the music. It matched the noise level in the cafe! Yup, I wasn’t about to give in that quickly.
Yesterday, we went there again and it was just as crowded. I decided to give it another try. I ordered avocado toast again and it tasted great. The coffee tasted better this time around and the music didn’t sound that bad at all. My girlfriend had a bread roll with butter and strawberry jam. It looked great and I made a mental check to have it the next time around.
Is this my favorite place now? Not quite but it is growing on me. Honestly, the food was much better than the Italian place and the variety exceptional. Never say never, I suppose.
It didn’t go well and that is putting it mildly. I love learning a new language and I do speak several, some better than others.
I was home one day and decided since I have nothing much to do, I’ll try learning a new language. At first, I wanted to learn Mandarin. Why? I don’t know, I just thought it would be a good language to know in case China comes into play and I find myself there. After a few tries, I couldn’t get the “S” sounds down and I gave up and went on my merry way.
Next was Spanish. Why? Again, there was no rhyme or reason for the madness, it was all spur of the moment and I went in with every intention of mastering the language. I had good intentions but the staying power wasn’t there and after a few tries, I GAVE UP!
Coming back to your question, what is the best online course I’ve taken? None, really. I think you have to be in the mood and have the staying power to see any online course through. Moving on….
I don’t know if you would consider her a celebrity but with all the hoopla or rather the hateful rhetoric going on around her, I would say she is more of a celebrity than royalty.
Sitting down with her would be an honor and talking about her trials and tribulations would be even more so. If Princess Diana was hounded by the press, I would say that Meghan was and is being demonized for marrying into the royal family. American, divorced, mixed-race, and not quite one of them, those are some of the reasons but there is more to this story than meets the eye.
The lady has a voice and she has used it to voice her concerns about racism. If it is unbelievable that racism exists, look around you. Albert Einstein once said, “Racism is a disease of white people,” and it is a vile disease. Unfortunately, it has taken on a life of its own and it is a worldwide phenomenon now, one that it is not going to disappear anytime soon and it is no longer just a white man’s disease either.
“Racism is a refuge for the ignorant. It seeks to divide and to destroy. It is the enemy of freedom, and deserves to be met head-on and stamped out.” Pierre Berton
The “ugly people,” the ones who sit in basements with a microphone and a screen spewing their hatred is the norm today and if what is being perpetuated or purported is the truth or not, that is besides the point as far as social media is concerned.
I would like to ask her how she is. How she is really doing and to commend her for how she is handling all the “hatred and racist bullying” directed in her direction. The lady is showing tremendous strength, courage, and going about her business even though I think that “off with her head!” is coming through loud and clear and resonating everywhere. The rumor mongering and the hateful lies even more so.
Her brand, “As Ever,” is doing exceptionally well and I hope it goes through the roof! Doing well is the best revenge and you can already see the effects it is having on those who are adept at spreading lies and hate and those who want nothing more than to bring her down to her knees. The rumors are hyping up both from those basements and from those with bigger megaphones. The alarming fact is that this racist bullying is being sanctioned by the media, the press, and from other circles. Nothing is off limits as far as they are concerned and the daily Meghan bashing is hard to watch and to stomach. The person in question is taking it in her stride and fighting it with her success and it seems to be working. She is marching to a different drumbeat, keeping silent for the most part and refusing to kowtow to the racist bullying.
I would love to sit down with her to talk about the strength she has, and the gumption to keep her mouth shut and to move on with her life. Unfortunately, it is not enough when you are faced with such HATRED, the monumental kind. Where is all this hate coming from? It is hard to comprehend but it is out there doing its rounds and coming up with ridiculous stories and lies to fuel the hate and contempt each and every single day. Shameful and shameless behavior no less, but the “uglies” thrive on such hateful actions.
“History has shown us that courage can be contagious, and hope can take on a life of its own.” Michelle Obama
Much success, peace, and courage in everything you do.
Which celebrity would you love to meet, and what would you talk about?
