Meet my Mr. Dreamy!

He is deliciously dreamy, isn’t he? I couldn’t believe my luck when he approached me on Christmas day through my on-line dating service. It was a Christmas miracle! Of course he is younger man at 42 but I am young at heart! Of course I wonder why a guy like this would need a dating service! Women must throw themselves at his feet. Of course he could answer every one of questions without hesitation and further pictures had me weak in the knees.

After corresponding for several hours over the last eighteen days, our first date was scheduled for Saturday night. Friday morning, he learned he had an emergency trip to Europe and asked me to come along with all expenses paid. Ugh, tempting if it were Paris, London or Rome but he was headed to Latvia to sign papers on a real estate deal that had been tied up in probate. Now I admit I did have to use Google to see where the hell Latvia was located. It is NOT on my bucket list of travel destinations with or without Mr. Dreamy. Besides, shouldn’t we at least have coffee before we cross an international borders? I don’t want to end up on Nightline as an unsolved murder case because I was found “iced” in a hotel bathtub missing my kidneys.

Well, my Sweetie arrived safely, but can you believe his wallet was stolen at the airport and he needed me to help him? WTF, I cannot believe it. You guessed it. Mr. Dreamy is not real. This has been an elaborate scheme to win my trust and my money. (What Money???) I am shocked at this insanity. I immediately stopped communication but how many women may have fallen for the ploy?

What kind of sick SOB (I’ll be fair – it could be a woman) plays on the emotions of lonely women and then takes advantage of their generosity? Whomever I was communicating with was a professional— I cannot believe the elaborate tale that was woven to create the persona of a wonderful man.

What I do know is that karma is going to kick their ass for this behavior!

How am I feeling about this fiasco? I am disgusted. There too is a layer of embarrassment but that is my weepy bruised ego. I look at this experience as yet another lesson in self-discovery.

I am proud of myself for being able to express my thoughts freely and honestly even though the beauty of my words landed on the screen of a predatory asshole. Please remember friends, whatever you post may be used to manipulate you.

I am willing to continue dating but I will not have a prolonged on-line conversation with anyone.

I don’t feel angry. It is not worth the time to be angry.

My dating profile has everything my family will need to write my obituary should they need to in the next few years. Let’s hope not but it’s like killing two birds with one stone! Ha, ha, cracking myself up here. Laughter heals.

My Girlfriend Voice reminds me that if something appears too good to be true, it probably isn’t!  I tell her to shut up I mean to please be...

In the bank parking lot yesterday, a car was backing up not realizing there was a woman walking directly behind them.  I grabbed the woman’s arm, saying “watch out!” and pulled her out of danger.  Was she thankful?  No.  She uttered a monotone response “…..please, I know” as she brushed off her sweater. 

Please what?  Please save my life on another day?  And you know “what” exactly?  Obviously you don’t know that those little back up lights mean steer clear of a moving car’s blind spot.  Next time I will let you live the consequence of your stupidity.

“Cara Ann, what kind of example is that of your Christmas spirit?” I’m busted.  The truth is that there are days when I am tired of being an adult.  Or should I say, I am tired of being responsible.  I am tired of thinking before I speak.  Being nice is seriously overrated.  I have exhausted my charm, my patience and my goodwill.  Today is one of those days.

I am in a Christmas Crisis.

Example:    Instead of biting my tongue while you complain (again!) about your life, I will tell you to, “get a life”.  There are people with real problems, like me.  I have been shopping for weeks to find boot cut cords and every damn store has skinny cords. Skinny cords are great for teenagers and super models.   I will however, restrain my urge to surrender to fashion because I am not going to be a “what not to wear” commercial.

Example:    When you talk loudly on your cellphone in the coffee shop, I am going to use my best Samuel L. Jackson impersonation and say, “Shut the Fuck Up!”  Let’s break this down.  You come in, order your low fat two pump 170 degree gingerbread latte and return to your car on average, in less than ten minutes.  Your conversation can wait ten minutes until you return to the privacy of your vehicle! I do not care about what she said and what he did or what time Susie needs to go to her birthday party.  Text if you have to but please, STFU!  The coffee shop is not a confessional, a soap box nor a supernatural bubble where we can’t hear your blathering on (and on, and on…..).

Example:    You people that take your (non-service) dogs shopping have to stop.  This may come as a surprise but dogs don’t like shopping and I don’t like to see your dog while I am shopping!  I feel qualified to say this because I am a dog lover and dog owner but stores are for people.  Please……leave Fluffy at home.  Fluffy needs his beauty sleep.  Oh, and the stores that post signs, “service dogs only”, please grow some balls and enforce the rules.

Example:    The children, pumped on sugar wreaking havoc in restaurants well after their...

A few weeks from now I will turn 50 years old.  Exactly half of my life has taken place in California as a wife, a mother and a professional.  I can’t say that I am sad or depressed about this milestone because life just keeps getting better!

Fifty begins an exciting decade—a different story.  I am embarking on life as a single person, living life on new terms.  If I had to describe myself now, I would be a kaleidoscope.  Tiny unrelated objects and broken pieces, symbolizing the remnants of life’s lessons, are thrown together to form intricate patterns when they dance amongst the mirrors.  Constantly tumbling yet forming stunning artistry when held to the light.  Light is required to see the beauty I hold inside!

I could sit and complain about hardships, lost opportunities and broken promises but I refuse to go there. Yes, I have weak moments when I have to gripe so don’t call me a liar!  On those days I remember that the better wine comes from old vines!

I am a kaleidoscope. I am a fine wine.  I am happy.  Fifty is not the new “F” word, unless of course “F” stands for FABULOUS! Thank Goodness I am Fabulous!

From the heart,

Cara

For something new, I attended a meditation meeting with theme of “creating space”.   My mind immediately raced ahead, trying to anticipate what wisdom the speaker would reveal.  (This is why I really need meditation in my life — to quiet my monkey mind).

Would this space be a protective bubble from all that is negative?

Would this be the space be a room or place of one’s own for quiet reflection?

Would the space be related to emotional space?

Were there ways I could create space or a presence in someone else’s life?

It is as simple as this.  The speaker described “space” as a moment when it is just you   connecting to your breath.  Space is a moment when you settle down into your core and “check in”.

We Americans are addicted to activity.    We look at sitting still and doing nothing as lazy, weird and uncomfortable.  We even multitask rather than focus on one particular activity at a time.  We watch mind numbing television to zone out.  I can relate to how difficult it is to do nothing but is “creating space” really doing nothing?  NO, it is a conscious act of surrender.  A very important SOMETHING!

Here is how I plan to sneak in more space in my day. 

I will get up a little earlier each morning to enjoy my coffee to the sound of the birds rather than the morning news. 

I will not overschedule myself with activities. 

I will have an electronics free evening once a week. 

I will breathe deeply when I stand in line, am placed on hold or wait for a document to load.

Space can be enjoyed in seconds and minutes, hours and days.

May the space I create for myself, help provide ample light to illuminate the beauty of my being.

Today someone asked me how I had changed since my younger years.  My answer was that I have not changed but rather I have fully settled into who I am; letting my authentic self be revealed.

Find space, dear friends, and thrive!

From the heart,

Cara

Artwork found at Simply Sitting Blog titled “Taming the Monkey Mind”

I am celebrating Olympic Gold here in the Zen Den!!! 

Twenty five years ago I moved to California and in a blink twenty five years later, I am starting again—my way.  In just the last two years I have experienced a move, a new job, the death of a parent and deciding to move forward on my divorce PLUS I became an empty nester all while facing my 50^th birthday.  If I recounted all that has happened in the last five or ten years—you’d swear I was a reading straight from the pages of a great work of fiction.  Too much drama for one person to endure!

Therefore, to celebrate the trials and tribulations of my last quarter century, I am awarding myself Gold medals in the categories of Mental Gymnastics and Emotional Track and Field.  I have performed like a champion! 

Hands down, this is the happiest time of my life.  Why you ask? Because I learned that being happy begins with the intention of being happy; then you have to make happy happen.  Make more happy, think less crappy.  (I have not been drinking (much) today.)

I minimize, eliminate and avoid the things that don’t make me happy.  Let me clarify, I don’t avoid responsibility.  I live through uncomfortable moments and learn from them.  I refuse to be victimized by my struggles.  Where there is pain there is growth whether I am ready for it or not.  I don’t grin and bear it but rather I grit my teeth and swear.

I also laugh at the weirdest moments.  Like when I walked into the county jail to visit someone only to realize I was wearing my bright red 4^th of July tank top that said, in sequins no less, “I Love Freedom”.     I didn’t plan this of course—I wouldn’t be that insensitive.  There lies the funny.

I also thanked a quiet man who approached me in the grocery store yesterday to say, “Your aura is huge and warm and that of a healer.  Standing next to you I feel just as good as when I am home cuddling with my eight cats.”  I kid you not.  It was a “bless your heart” moment –more sweet than creepy.  I’ve decided that I may be a super hero in disguise and since the name Kittylicious is already taken, you can call me Madam Meow.  Is this funny or is it just me??

Or the time I was standing in the library when a wiry four foot tall silver haired elder grabbed a book right out of my hands saying she had seen it first, she just needed time to walk across the room to pick take if off the shelf.    One of the few times I found myself speechless!  Had to laugh at that one….  I was bullied by a tiny granny!

The brain is pliable and can be rewired for positivity after just a few weeks of concerted effort.  If you feel that you have nothing to celebrate, look again.  You may be looking for miracles while missing...

I am having a hard time understanding why bad things happen to good people.  A friend of mine, I’ll call her S., had cancer four years ago but luckily they caught it early and she survived.  At that time, she was in the middle of the adoption process.  Not only did she survive the rigors of surgery and chemotherapy, she was the happiest bald headed woman I ever met.  Her faith, family, friends and positive attitude prevailed over all doubt.

A few weeks ago S. told me that it was very likely that she had a different type of cancer, although discovered early, it is on her liver.  What really makes me furious with the Universe is that she just completed the adoption process for two little boys.  And if I could be any madder, had S. not challenged her doctor for further testing after a questionable lab result, the cancer would have progressed undetected.

So if we are exactly where we need to be, what could possibly be the benefit of battling yet another cancer? 

With this situation on my mind, I am hypersensitive to people who do not appreciate all that they have in their lives.  For instance, I heard a story about a woman who received a promotion and bonus but was complaining that the promotion should have been up two levels instead of one.  OMG.  Once you start wishing things were different, it tells me that you have not paused to appreciate where you are and what you have received.

Are you waiting for something or someone before you consider yourself happy or complete?  Hello, this is your wake up call.  You cannot wait to live your life for any reason.    I guess if you are OK settling for less than fine but come on, put on your big girl panties and live out loud.

I too wish for things to be different.

• I wish for my friends and family to be free of suffering.
• I wish that I be given guidance to make good decisions.
• I wish that we all learn to love who we are as unique individuals.

The rest is up to you. 

I have a box that I slip my notes and prayers into that I call my “God box”.  I love the process of writing something down (makes it real) and then turning it over to the Universe (lifts it from my heart and mind).  I recently pulled out a few slips of paper to see what they said.  One was wishing a friend find a way to move to California.  Update:  she did 13 months later.  Another note was I wanted help finding a job where I was able to work in a respectful and creative environment.  Update:  I did one month later.

There is power in prayer so I ask that you join me in praying that S. receives the best possible care and outcome.

Finally, I want S. to know that she is the most courageous person I know and her example of moving forward with a positive attitude inspires me.  I am so fortunate to have her in my life.

From the (somewhat broken) heart,

Cara

Welcome to The Confessional.  I have to admit that I have a crush on my neighbor.  Well, it is my neighbor’s house guest to be exact.

“Cabana Boy”, as my friends have so appropriately named him, sees all sides of me living in such close proximity.

He already knows I wear pajamas a good deal of my waking hours.  It is by choice—not that I am lazy or anything.  Comfort is the name of the game.

He probably hears me talking all day but I am not crazy or at least that kind of crazy.  I work from a home office or I may be practicing character voices for an audio book recording.  PS: I love to talk and eventually will be paid by the hour to do so!

I hope the vacuum, the dryer or the blender at 11pm doesn’t bother him because I cook and clean when the mood strikes me.   You have to love my creativity—and cute aprons!  Just in case your mind goes there, I am not wearing a French maid outfit when performing said activities.

Yes, you can borrow my ironing board but why not just come inside? I was just using it—in my bedroom.     This puts new meaning to the phrase “Strike while the iron is hot”.  I’ll let you wonder if this really happened or not.      There is nothing sexier than watching a man iron.  Wait, it would sexier if he were ironing my clothes!

English is not his first language.  Thank goodness he doesn’t always understand my nervous girly girl chatter.

Cabana Boy will be here until December when either I will be relieved to see him go or broken hearted upon his departure.  My romantic goofiness has a limited time window.

I smiled all day when he said, “Ello, I wuz jest tinking about youz.”

It’s the little things….I wish you a good dose of tingly all over.

From the heart,

Cara

Art courtesy of redriverpak.com

You can always tell how out of control my life feels by the number of organizing projects I complete in a week.  For instance, there is something intensely satisfying after I clean my desk drawer, delete useless computer files or organize a closet.  It is only Saturday night (yes, I chose to stay home and clean!) and I’ve run out of things to organize while chaotic worries jump around in my brain.  Tomorrow I am going to move to my “creative projects” like the amazingly funky dresser I bought for $15.  Once I clean it up and paint it, I’ll move it into my home office – then I can re-organize for another full day!

I joke with my therapist saying how good my silverware drawer looks after an emotional week.  Organizing my silverware drawer is a technique I use when my emotions are spiraling out of control.  I line up the forks, spoons and knives in pretty fashion and ten minutes later they lie there like little compliant soldiers.  Whatever was bothering me seems long gone.  You may call this crazy but I don’t care — it’s simple and it works.

I can’t control the people and situations in my life but I can control the heck out of my flatware!

I’ll never forget the time a doctor suggested I take advantage of a cognitive behavior therapy program for depression and anxiety at a local medical school.  Yes, a class on depression – for depressed people.  At first I resisted because I could think of nothing more depressing, than sitting around with other depressed people.  After all, I can just organize something to feel better!

Sarcasm aside, this class turned out to be a pivotal learning experience and I am ever so grateful to have participated.  Out of respect to the others in the group, I will not share any details from our discussions.  I will however tell you that I have the highest respect and regard for my classmates and the courage they displayed over the six week period.

Getting by with a little help from my friends, the “FRIENDS” being a few techniques I learned in my class and continue to incorporate into my life.  I have limited my list to 5 because frankly, I have a hard time remembering more than 5 things at a time!

1. Pleasure Principle (I bet that got your attention!)   Think of a teeter totter with the end on the ground holding your negative thoughts, your problems, and anything that is difficult.  On the side up in the air, start to fill the seat with “pleasure providing” activities which begin to balance out the heavy side.

For instance, if I need to have a discussion about our divorce with the X, I make sure I have several fun things planned around that discussion to help minimize the pain (and his toxicity).  If it is time for those lovely monthly/quarterly reports, I write from my favorite place (the library) and I reward myself with something...

I almost can’t decide what I want to write about today!  Maybe I will tell you how I had a giggle fit drinking champagne straight from the bottle at the movies on Saturday night with a girlfriend– it was a first!  Or there was the voice mail saying, “I am on my way to help a Mom with a drunk 13 year old.  What should I do??”  Well, let me tell you.  I have a little too much experience parenting teenagers – is this because I was such a good teenager that my kids paid me back quadruple fold with their “learnings”????

What a minute, I see a correlation …. My kids have driven me to drink!  Not only can I help you with your parenting, we can tip our glasses to the joys and wisdom of midlife!

Speaking of kids, can women have it all?  This is the headline of a magazine for smart people in the checkout line.  (I try not to mention names because I am anti-advertising.  It is also easier to diss people, places and things when they are either anonymous or the names have been changed to protect the innocent.)

So is it a slow news week or am I missing something?  Perhaps I am feeling a tad bit bitchy (it was cheap champagne after all) but I believe the majority of women already know that we can’t have it all.  We make choices and then make the most of those choices.  Comprende?

What is the “ALL” in this article?  Well, it is referring to a simultaneously creating a happy family and a fulfilling career–

This year I turn 50 so I feel like I have a realistic perspective to share.  When I entered college, the plan was to head off to medical school but by my junior year, I had no desire to live the lifestyle of a physician.  Very fortunate for me, I found a career that balances the science and the business.  I was driven to be a career woman and I knew that marriage and family could coexist with my professional life.  Don’t ask me how, I just knew it or was too stubborn to admit otherwise.

I married young and had two babies before I was 30.   I chose to work from home and travel very little once I went back to work.  Did this limit my advancement potential?  Damn right but I was doing what my heart or MGV said was the right thing to do.  I thought I had a supportive partner (no further comment, especially since I am feeling bitchy today) but I was managing it all alone while my husband’s career continued to blossom.

Editor’s note—there is no “balance” in the life of a working parent.  Something is always tugging at you and you have to let some things go.   Pause and Prioritize; those PP moments!

I could go into a deep philosophical discussion about why we women want it ALL but glass ceilings, boy’s clubs, historical precedents, gender bias, biology and so on…we women are often swimming upstream. 

I...

I couldn’t help but love this poem by Rumi.  I have so many things to write about this week that I am having trouble settling on just one idea.  In the meantime, enjoy this quiet reflection titled, “Guest House”.

♥     ♥     ♥

This being human is a guest house

Every morning a new arrival.

A joy, a depression, a meanness,

some momentary awareness comes

as an unexpected visitor.

Welcome and entertain them all!

Even if they are a crowd of sorrows,

who violently sweep your house

empty of its furniture,

still treat each guest honorably.

He may be clearing you out for some new delight.

The dark thought, the shame, the malice,

meet them at the door laughing,

and invite them in.

Be grateful for whoever comes,

because each has been sent

as a guide from beyond.

On Friday’s, I volunteer with a day care program designed for people with early stage Alzheimer’s.  I have the good fortune of selecting material for a reading and discussion hour.  Today we talked about how a mother wished she had more patience and was never angry with her children but Mister Fred Rogers, educator and TV host, advised that the best thing we can do for our children is to express a wide range of emotions, including anger (just appropriately!) so that our children learn healthy habits.

I asked the class, “What is something important you wish to teach or talk to a child about?”  The list was long but the answers that registered most with me were happiness, the power of prayer, compassion and the importance of helping others.   I couldn’t agree more, adding my two cents, perfectionism is overrated.

I also mentioned that at my office we have something called COURAGEOUS DIALOGUE, a major factor that attracted me the company.  If you have an issue with someone at work, regardless of their position, you ask for a Courageous Dialogue (CD) where you come together to work things out.  Each person has the opportunity to hear the other one out, one on one, without judgment and under confidentiality.  I have used the process and there is nothing more refreshing than hashing out a miscommunication before it festers into a larger problem.

My personal life isn’t always so tidy.  Today I got an email that angered me to such a degree that I was speechless.  If I were a cartoon character, you would have seen steam blasting out of my ears, my eyes the size of saucers and my hands accusingly placed on my hips.  In real life, the surge of blood pressure caused a bloody nose, nature’s way of getting me to sit down and breathe, so I couldn’t get in the car and go confront the offender.

I can’t remember the last time I felt such disgust and rage.  That part doesn’t really worry me – after all I’m only human.  The real danger was that I started to doubt myself.  When the anger left my body, it took along my self-esteem for company.

I phoned a friend.  I took the high road and didn’t respond.  I’ve learned that “TWA” or “typing/texting while angry” leads to bigger trouble so I shut off the computer, washed my face and cuddled with my doggie.  I have a very good support system!

This is what gets me.  I am perplexed by people who don’t have the integrity or maybe it is the courage to communicate honestly.  These people, no I’ll call them gutless eunuchs, hide behind insulting emails, gossip and lies. These adults really disappoint me.

Listen, just do me a favor and stop playing this stupid game.  We don’t have to be friends.

I’ll do you a favor.  I won’t spend time with you so you won’t be reminded of how...

For most of my adult life I did not want anyone to know that things weren’t rosy behind the white picket fence.  I thought if I admitted my struggle, it was a negative reflection on my character.  It meant I was weak, incompetent, lazy, and maybe even stupid.  Pretty harsh words, huh? 

I was acting a part.  I was the perfect wife, mother, friend and professional.  What I didn’t know was that if you play the same role for years, you begin to forget who you are.  You drift further and further away from your true self and become a character from your imaginary life; just going through the motions.

Avoiding those feelings or then deciding not to seek help meant that I could tune out what I didn’t like——-shut off the critical voice.  I didn’t have to hear how horrible I was, however, there was a big price to pay.  There were days that I would BLOW without provocation.  More often I would cry in the bathroom or in the car – that is where I could touch up my makeup so no one knew I had been upset.  Put on a pretty face and carry on!

Last week I touched base with a friend who seemed different but I couldn’t put my finger on it.  They asked me for advice on how I remain positive despite the many things I have on my plate.  I truly am happy despite living in one of the most stressful times of my life.  My secret?  Once I started to admit I wasn’t “FINE” every time some asked me, I started to feel much better.   It sounds simple because it is.

Now I don’t go on and on, in intimate detail every time someone chirps, “Hi, How are you today?”  I am not obligated to say FINE.  I’d rather to say something I am happy or grateful for.  It shifts my thinking over to the positive side.

Let me interrupt this thought with an important reminder.     Before you start giving anyone advice, ask them if they WANT YOUR advice and if they do, speak only from YOUR OWN experience—that is your truth.  If not, zip your lip.

Why did I choose to check my emotions?  What was I avoiding besides the critical voice?

I thought my friends would judge me when they knew I was struggling.     THEY DIDN’T.

I thought I would have to justify or defend my decisions.      NOPE.

I thought they would abandon me to avoid the drama.    NOT A CHANCE.

I thought I may intensify or attract more of what I wanted to get rid of.   This is something to pay attention to.  If you feel stuck and you are repeating yourself, there may be another issue at play.  I am talking about letting the words flow through you—looking for a release and ultimately resolution.  Solid and stuck versus fluid and liberating— can you see where I am going?

Acknowledging what you are feeling allows you...