Joy for the Journey

Image from Madisonvillearts.com

I am a self-proclaimed late bloomer. This no longer bothers me because I have come to realize that many of the finer things in life take time to fully ripen...fruit, wine, cheese, just to name a few. I can admit that once upon a time I did not appreciate this slow development. I wanted things to happen NOW and would try everything in my power to speed the process.

Have you tasted a regular store bought tomato lately? What is that??? Rushed to maturity, picked before it's peak, forced to grow up too fast...lacks...lacks substance. That is kind of what aspects of my life began looking like whenever my impatience took the driver seat. My desire to arrive quickly, painlessly, effortlessly at a very specific destination caused me to miss the joy of the trip.

Several years ago, a very good friend of mine shared this story with me: She and her now husband were invited to a dinner party with several other couples. Cinnamon took center stage at this party..no really, the spice...Cinnamon!! Every dish served including the entree, contained this aphrodisiac, blood pressure regulating, spicy ingredient. Precious detail was taken from the table settings to the mood lighting to the party favor gifts by the gracious hostess. As this group savored the last morsels of the delectable meal, my friend jumped up and began clearing dishes. Upon seeing this, the hostess gently stops my friend. And with the slightest touch from the hostess' hand on my friends shoulder accompanied by a very sincere gaze she says "No honey, tonight we sit and enjoy each other's company. Tomorrow I will get the delicious pleasure of washing the champagne flutes one by one as I recall the memorable time we are experiencing right now"!

Whatsoever resonates in your heart at this moment...Live it fully!!!

Blessings for a prosperous Christmas Season!


Jodi

This Little Light of Mine...

Vintage Poster Prints

So, I have done some major slacking on my writing. I nearly choked when I noticed that my last posting was in September..Yikes!!!! Isn't it funny how something which brings us so much joy, gets lost in the shuffle of busy-ness!?
I discovered or rather uncovered something about myself since that last post. Oh, who am I kidding, I have probably had 2,765 Aha moments since September. I live in my head...analyzing..reanalyzing....what if'ing and picking things apart. Tired of spending brain power on how to combat this tendency, I learned to embrace it and came to the very sophisticated conclusion of..."that's just how I roll"! Funny or rather cliche as it seems, it took replacing a burnt out light bulb to get me to this point. Let me explain.
I lived nearly 4 months in partial light. 2 out of 3 of the sconce fixtures in my bedroom burned out on the same day. I asked my son to scale the armoire and attempt to replace the bulbs (the position of my furniture blocked the fixtures... somewhat). He could not or maybe he would not oblige me. So I accepted my partial darkness. Admittedly, this was a nuisance (at first) but, there is something about the human spirit which quickly learns to adjust. I learned to maneuver quite well with little light. Soon I even forgot I was in darkness. 

Image from Wall Paper Stock

A few weeks ago, while cleaning my bedroom, I pondered what would be my next life move. Should I plan a trip, prepare for my next promotion, return to a university for a Master's Degree, check my Facebook, search for my USB cord?...Oh just stop it already! Stay focused on the task at hand. And in the midst of this self-talk, I noticed a small metal folding chair in the corner of the room. Quickly, I grabbed the chair and two new light bulbs. I swapped the old for the new. And that was it. After months in the darkness, it suddenly became so easy so clear..or so clearly easy. Why did I not think of this before?
As I discarded that which was no longer useful, I chuckled at how simple it was to change. I opted to remain in darkness for months. I actually readjusted my lifestyle around the partial light. But now I see.
I realized something about myself during this "Let there be Light" moment. My inability to see manageable solutions often causes a paralysis. As my mind churns the ideas of planning a fabulous vacation or redecorating my room and if I can not develop a successful logical means of making it happen, I let it go. I don't completely let it go, I mean I tend to let it go in a place it on the back burner sort of way. Now, for anyone who truly knows me, they know that once I make up my mind, I move to action. It's the pre- once I make up my mind part that often leaves me at a standstill.

Colored Flames

Well, it no longer serves me to think this way. I choose to open myself up to possibilities. And even when it makes no real logical sense or I don't have everything or everyone all figured out, I will make some kind of move. I will trust myself more. I will continue to become all of myself by leaving behind unproductive thoughts. And even if I do not succeed at all to which I put my hands, I will remember that failure is only when I choose not to try again. Above all else, I will remember that it is my responsibility and privilege to allow my light to shine.
May you come to a brilliant understanding of your beauty and gifts. And may you use them wisely and generously.

Go confidently in the direction of your dreams. Live the life you have imagined.

~Thoreau

Air France

Blessings and Peace,
Jodi

A Season of Change

I remember when we had a short cold spell in June, a few friends posted how they were waiting eagerly for the heat of Summer. I just don't get it. Why are you begging the sun to shine upon us at 110 degrees? What could possibly be pleasant about that? While I do love a sunny afternoon at the beach, a glass of cool lemonade on a hot summer day and alfresco dining under the setting sun, I consider myself more of an Autumn loving girl.

Boston Public Park

Cinnamon scented pine cones, Starbuck's pumpkin spiced lattes and cozy sweaters just fill my heart with glee. The rich color of egg plant and leather boots soothe my soul and somehow remind me that there is beautiful protection from the blustery winds. California residents don't quite get the change of seasons that many parts of our great country experience. But, that doesn't stop us from doning multi colored scarves and gloves like our sisters on the East Coast!

Lilly Therese

Besides great fall fashion and sumptuous comfort food, I love this season for it's spiritual implications. I am reminded of my first lesson on the Native American world view. I opted to take a class during my freshmen year at Berkeley which changed the way I think about life and death. My professor said that a Western approach looks at the world in a linear fashion. Starting point is life and the ending point is death. The Natives see life as circular. Life, death and rebirth all interconnected, all divine.

I often hear Spring celebrated as the season of change. The blooming of blossoms, budding flowers and pollinating bees illustrate newness. The manifestation of what was once dead now springing forth into life. I believe that Spring is all of this however, it can not be without death occuring first. There would have been no power in the Resurrection of Jesus Christ had He not willingly laid His life down first. See, it is all circular.

 So, the season is changing and Fall is at hand. We still have hot days but it is already getting darker earlier. Soon the leaves will turn colors and gracefully let go of their home on the branch and fall. They surrender to their new shades, surrender to the season. The foliage succumbs to the natural occurrence of change. Transitioning into a state of decomposition, otherwise known as rot. The study of this science is called Taphonomy from the Greek word taphos which means grave. According to Wikipedia this process happens in stages. Each part contributing to the breakdown of what once was. "The process is essential for new growth and development of living organisms because it recycles the finite matter...".

Four Seasons, same tree

The process is essential for new growth. This makes me think of all the times I become afraid to surrender to my moments. I often become stubborn in my attempt to keep control of a situation or even a person. I remember the times my feelings were hurt because someone or something did not follow the script I created for them. There is no ad libbing on the Jodi Show. Fear of disappointment has taught me to require a finalized rough draft from every player submitted solely for approval. My approval. And when these indviduals or circumstances played themselves out in a manner I disagreed with, I became more fervent in my effort to make them act right. How dare they not follow their lines!

Unfortunately, my lesson in all of this is simply to Let Go! I have wasted so much energy in my attempt to control. But most importantly, I missed life changing moments. I may have wanted the person to stay in an eternal state of Summer, fun and frolicking, carefree and easy. I didn't recognize their need to blossom or die to a habit, their need to break free from the role I created for them. Maybe it's not so much that I missed this but rather, I chose to ignore the signs of an approaching change of season.

I have also gritted my teeth and sank my nails into my own bad behaviors. Too many times of attracting the wrong men, post divorce, influenced me to hang onto my leaves of protection. The season is approaching. The Grimm Reaper is knocking. Will I fight to hang on to the walls I have so conveniently built or will I surrender to death. This Autumn, I have a choice to make. In order to regenerate, renew, restore myself and reap the benefits of new beginnings, I must allow the process of decomposition to run it's course. I must Fall. I must Let Go. The beautiful part of all of this release is I know that Spring will soon follow and I will reap rewards of a new beginning.

May you heart be enlarged to accept the end of a thing and surrender! ~Jodi

 Japanese Cherry Blossom

Incriminating

I've said this before and I will say it again, the need to blog just springs forth in me. I can be at a place, any place with anyone, anywhere, at any time and I actually feel it coming. A man who suffered from seizures once told me that he could feel the grand mal or petite mal coming so he would prepare himself by grabbing a wooden spoon or a wad of paper towels to stuff in his mouth right before the violent shaking began.

Blogging for me is a release, a violent shaking of all of the emotions, passions and fears which I attempt to keep neatly controlled during my non-writing life. Excuse me, I need to go back to a thought I had during the first paragraph. I was saying that the need to blog can come from ANY thing. It comes like the sound of a steam engine roaring in the distance. Or maybe better yet, like the little engine that could. That ANY thing could be a sentence in a book, a comment from a friend or a divine moment. As I was sitting with some really great friends tonight over dinner, I heard that choo choo train rolling in the distance. 

I get settled in at home, turn on the computer and log on to blogspot. All of a sudden, the word INCRIMINATING is shouting at me like the whistle on a train. What the?!? I write about my journey of love and romance. What does INCRIMINATING have to do with that, seriously? Talk about random!
Where can I get some insight on this? I know, let's consult good old reliable Merriam Webster. Adj. 1. incriminating - charging or suggestive of guilt or blame. Okay, so now I know what it means but, what does that have to do with my road to AMORE? Things that make you go hmmm!?!

There are those individuals who relish anonymity. Wikipedia defines that as "without a name, nameless". People choose to remain anonymous for various reasons. Some good and some not so good. I know what you are thinking..why did she jump from INCRIMINATING to anonymous (small case, no bold, no italics, insignificant, blend in the crowd, shall remain unimportant). Where is she going with this?

All board, the blog train is coming. As I write it starts to make more sense. Funny, I think the moon has lit the way (I paid homage to the moon a few minutes ago on Facebook and now it's paying me back with illumination). You don't want to miss this train. Ok, so people choose to remain anonymous for various reasons. Some are even afraid to write in a diary or a blog out of fear that some ill intentioned person may get a hold of all our secrets. God forbid people find out that we don't have it all together.

So, I have been scratching just a bit below the surface on this whole love thing. I haven't quite been anonymous  but, more like Jane Doe. You know I am a woman. You know that I am on a journey of self-actualization in regard to my romantic relationships. And if you didn't, you do now. But, tonight my writing will be more open. Take your seats ladies and gentlemen, the train is leaving the station.

Let's go back to paragraph 2, remember I was sitting at dinner with some really great friends? These individuals I have know for about 10 years or longer. They have known me married, divorced and single. They have cried with me, laughed with me and encouraged me to become the woman I am today. Yes, they have played a part in me....Becoming. I excused myself for a long minute during the "hey girl it's been so long" portion of our evening. Little did this group know that my spirit was a tad bit crushed this evening. Here they were telling me that I looked beautiful, how they appreciate my positivity and how much they love reading my FB posts and there I was....Becoming.

An internal war was taking place in the midst of margaritas, chips and salsa. I vascillated between becoming full of disappointment and becoming full of gratitude or simple acceptance or whatever other Eat, Pray Lovish emotion I can stir up. All of this taking place as I attempted to stay present and involved in the conversation. I trust this group and could have blurted out my discontentment. I can count on these women to nod their heads, smile and with the sincerity that only well seasoned friendships provide, offer an encouraging word. I chose to remain anonymous...to remain nameless, to blend in, to not be bold or italicized or underlined or "".

You see, I went on a date yesterday. Not just any date. But a date with someone who really sparked my interest (and as sad as this may sound, that's rare). I thoroughly enjoyed myself. I mean I really enjoyed myself and even while sitting there on that date, hoped for the best. And then tonight, over margaritas, chips and salsa with these lovely friends of mine, I received a message. Okay not a message but, THE Message. Graciously, my date informed me that he so enjoyed my company BUT, thought it best that we just BE...friends. Yes, those words stung for a bit. Not to worry dear friends, the blogging has helped. And not to mention the fact that this new found friend formerly known as my date, informed me that he had recently been doing some pruning of his negative friends which gave room to welcome me if I was interested. With my margarita by side and in the presence of witnesses (albeit unaware), I sent this text to him "Cheers to your gardening. Lucky me! And you! LOL!". I meant that with my whole heart.

I am free tonight because I am not afraid any longer of being INCRIMINATED. Let me explain. I used to live so guarded. Fearful, that someone would find out that I have moments when I ponder what is wrong with me. Aren't I lovable? Worthy of being chosen? Am I not capable of making a romantic relationship work? I would become annoyed by phrases like "his loss" because it's not just his loss. It was my loss too. And for all of the budding and full grown romantic relationships I have stopped and started, I couldn't help but wonder what I am missing. I am reminded of a scene in Grey's Anatomy which at times still haunts me. Meredith talking to Derek pleads "So pick me. Choose me. Love me"! But, this is not the Jodi I portray. I am so busy being busy. Filling up my days with events, dinners and activities because that is what I love, yes, but also, to drown out Dr. Grey's incessant plea. I mean my incessant plea.

But, there is a dichotomy. I have craftily mastered a pretty good life without a companion. I have spent time, energy and money developing a strong sense of self and have made empowering women my platform. But, I have used this like a funhouse mirror or a magician's illusion to trick the audience. Because at the end of the day, in the still of the night when the curtain is drawn, I wonder, who will choose me, pick me, love me. And of course since I have been married before and I am an equal rights advocate, I wonder who will I pick? Who will I choose? Who will I love.

Consider this self-incrimination. I am guilty as charged. Not guilty of desiring love. There is no crime in that. But rather, guilty of fooling myself into believing that I was fully content as I am. Now a bit weary from patching and re-patching my cape, I understand that I am not superwoman nor do I have the desire to be. The right companion in my life is necessary. Every hero needs a sidekick right? Maybe it was my grandmother's expressed concern that I will end up alone like her or, maybe it was meeting a man who shared so many of my common interest that made me declare to some girlfriends who met up to hear the scoop post-date, "I am so over myself. I am open and ready to receive the love that is meant for me. I no longer want to be alone". Oh and boy do I ever mean these words.

Here is what I am asking of you dear friend. Do not spend a second of your precious time worrying about my fears and revelations. I am blazing my trail on the road less traveled (that was for you Laurie). This whole thing is a mandatory part of my journey. My hope is that you expose the evidence in your own life. There will come a moment when your willingness to be honest about the secret things in your heart shared with the right person at the right time will absolutely transform your life..and theirs! Live freely and boldly for we have but brief opportunities to impact one another.

Once I informed my new friend formerly known as my date that I would accept his offer of friendship and thanked him for his honesty, he replied "good, I feel better Jodi :-)". So, I replied this,"I'm having a margarita so I hope to be feeling better soon too! I'd be pretending if I acted as if I'm cool like that. The women's libbers would lynch me for my honesty. Don't be a stranger". And yes, I meant it. Choose not to be anonymous or even Jane Doe in this life. Your life has meaning and purpose. Sometimes it may require some pruning to make room for the positive buds. Be free!

"I am a soldier of love...I know that love will come" ~Sade

The Beauty of Age

Americans are funny. We value youth and have very little use or respect for our elders. Now of course I am making a gross generalization but, it is true. We spend goo gobs of money on lotions and potions to revitalize, renew and restructure our physical selves. And unfortunately, maybe almost conveniently neglect developing our integrity, wisdom and grace.
The last few weekends, I have spent time with my grandmothers and great aunts. Listening, absorbing and relishing their presence. I am grateful to know them. And, I honor their strength, courage and grace. They know from whence they came and also look at the life they have left. They possess a natural beauty, giving hearts and resilient spirits. These women no longer make apologies or excuses. It is obvious from the look in their eyes and the confidence of their stance that they know a thing or two about living.
I usually write about my lessons on romantic love as I walk my journey. Well, this piece will be no different. I have come to understand that one of the most attractive characteristic a woman can have is her confidence. While I am fully aware that men are visual. I also believe the words of Sophia Loren "Sex appeal is 50% what you got and 50% what they think you got"! I have spent long enough self-deprecating.
Last week at our 36th Annual Family Picnic, I met a relative I never knew I had. At 71 years old, Geraldine, mother of 10, grandmother to 37 and great grandmother to 11 showed us younger women how to properly 2nd line. Think New Orleans, umbrellas, handkerchiefs and the band marching better yet dancing down the street. Oh, she has moves honey. There she was in all of her 71 years of glory, unashamedly, rhythmically moving to the most appropriate song "Do Whatcha Wanna"!

The following day, My Granny Rosemary turned 83 years old. As we sat and waited with her birthday candles lit, the whole family knew she must be reapplying her lipstick and combing her hair. Sure enough. Her sister, Robertine, turned to me and said "I think she would make the good Lord wait for her while she fixes herself up"!

Aunt Robertine also joined us from New Orleans. At the end of every picnic, we give individuals the opportunity to share anything they may be grateful for. She said that she was thankful, even though she lost everything in Katrina, she felt blessed.

I spent this past weekend with my Nana in San Diego. At 81, she is on a bowling league at the Navy base. She is my traveling partner and she is not lacking in suitors. She is hardworking. Cleaned her carpets on Friday. But, she also knows how to play hard. She received a visit from another Grandmother of mine, Dorothy Massengale. Grandma Massengale complained to Nana that her family "freaked out" when she ordered a drink while vacationing in Las Vegas. Nana swiftly replied, "do what I do. Tell them, I will respect your house by not drinking in it. But, in my own house and on vacation, I do what I please". You gotta love a woman who tells it like it is.

My reality check came when I was talking to Grandma Massengale. She began asking me about my love life. And then she says "Please don't be like me Jodi"! She told me with an unwavering sincerity "to live, to travel for pleasure's sake and to find real companionship with a nice gentleman". Even now while, I write this, I can recall the pleading tone in her voice.
I am in charge of my journey. I am in charge of opening myself enough to fully experience the people, places and events which will shape me into becoming bold and beautiful. In order for me to ensure that when I reach my 80's, I am full of life, is to really  start living. It is to face my fears, to challenge myself and to become free enough to do what I wanna! It makes me think back to one of my favorite lines from Elizabeth Gilbert's Eat, Pray, Love. "I was not rescued by a Prince. I was the administrator of my own rescue". Some people have a hard time digesting this line. But, I get it, and not as some new agey, mind freak thing. I have within me the power to create the life I envision for myself. If I don't like something, I can change it.
Tonight, one of my feminine role models passed away. Eloise Ford was 95 years old. She was the mother/grandmother of my friend Angela. She taught me the true meaning of taking care of a household and her man. And she always looked stylish doing it. Thank you Grandma for the seeds you planted.