A New Leader, A Different Kind of Hope

Recalling the moment - the moment where our new leader was being guarded and escorted to the White House area, gives me hope.  Gave me hope.  Makes me feel comforted, which I didn't even realize. This is not about a political party.  It is about humanity.

I recall watching Joe Biden arrive at Joint Base Andrews.  He was arriving in Washington, D.C. for a return to the people's house. Glazing over the screen, he seemed a bit frailer than our previous Commander-In-Chiefs, yet he stands strong in his abilities and faith to lead us to a brighter tomorrow. This is a different kind of hope than we had when his friend, President Obama, took office. Both took office at a time when the world needed change, yet this hope is one that we have been waiting for throughout the last four years. This man wrote about the possibility to become President as a young teenager. He has been devoted to this plan, of helping the American people, throughout his life. His time has arrived. His moment has arrived and I can only imagine his emotional feelings right now.  I wonder what he thinks about as he sits in the Oval office.  It has been a whole eight days and it seems like an eternity - because we are all at ease.  We know he is sitting in that room thinking, with his cabinet, about families.  Family is everything to him.  Not money.  Not fame. Not social media.  Not causing a mini civil war between the citizens.  This man will heal us. I believe in him. I believe he is the better choice for what we, the American people, need at this time and can empathize with a lot of us.

Mornings with my teenage son have changed.  He use to grab the family room remote and tell me, "You have to see this,"  as I'd slowly fill my teacup for the morning, taking in the sun's rays through the kitchen window.  I could see his jawbones fluctuating out of fear, out of rage and disgust.  Now, we don't meet around the morning news any longer.  There is no fear, or worry, from him.  He is in a calm state and have returned to doing laundry in the mornings and not causing my stomach to go in to knots at the thought of him turning on the television.  I am at peace.  Again, this isn't a matter of a political party because I have voted for individuals from both major parties.  At this point in time, it is a matter of pure decency.  Knowing we are all sleeping well, is a bonus..... and knowing the stock market is still doing well - unlike what people were going crazy over. 

All is calm.  Maybe we can get back to liking our neighbors again. That is all.  Let's just think about that for a moment.  

Living With Lupus

Bravely telling myself every single morning I stare at myself in the mirror, "I got this," I gather strength from the deep dark unknown.  Not sure where it comes from but I cannot teach my children about perseverance and strength if I don't live it.  Staring at the well known "butterfly kiss" on my face and the bunch of hair I just removed from the shower and placed it on my crisp, white, marble counter doesn't make me feel better. 

Life starting changing a few years ago.  I couldn't understand why my body was hurting. I couldn't sleep or remember things the way I use to.  My head would hurt constantly, different from the constant migraines and constantly walked around with a low grade fever and constantly freezing in a house with teenagers whose hormones were raging and didn't want the central air to be warmer. I get it.  We live in a tropical climate where 80+ degrees outside means you want your cool air running.  Suddenly, I started getting crap from my older husband - who I might add - is in such great physical shape and still turns heads.  I couldn't hike as well as I use to because my feet were swelling at times and my back was hurting, falling asleep by 7:00p.m. most days because I was constantly exhausted.  Fatigue can put a real damper on things. My constant complaints to my doctor went unanswered and left me - almost - in a depression. I was not stressed, as she thought. I did not strain my body.  Dropping a 1/2 gallon drink in the supermarket and standing crying because I couldn't move my arm was the kicker.  Hubby knew something was truly wrong at that point. Something was wrong and I wasn't sure how to fix it.  Two doctors later, the later being a young 28 year old enthusiast general practice doctor who studied a new kind of science (Biome science) - determined to figure this out for me, noticed two things when I sat to talk to her and boom! - she had an inclination.  What?? That is all it took???  A few minutes of her looking at me and listening and a blood test recommendation.  An early, 7:30 a.m. phone call confirmed it.  I had Lupus.

Fast forward and I changed my eating habits.  My body began to respond and I was pleased to know I did not have to use medication. For as long as I can, I will fight this fight naturally.  Though I ate healthy before, I have now become gluten free, lactose free and dairy free.  It has helped inflammation, which affected my joints.  It has made me feel a bit faster and not sluggish. It has helped my skin and hair, I believe and finally, it has helped me limit calories by being mindful about what goes into my food. Processed foods are pretty much a thing of the past and I can only hope that this journey I am on will help me completely.

We'll see how it goes.  Think about that.

45 Impeached!

YOU'RE FIRED, 45!

                                              

History was just made today!  Everyone needs to think about something for a moment; regardless of political party.  Many Republicans haven't thought about the fact that they were at the Capitol building when 45's supporters stormed in.  They could have been hurt. Their families may have been at home crying over there whereabouts, their safety - yet many still chose to support 45.  How is that possible? The recent actions affecting the country we ALL live in.... the place where we are raising families.... the place where we are suppose to be brave and free. 

So much fraud has been committed.  So much hatred has been thrusted upon the American people that 45 forgot, this is not his TV show.  He has managed to get what he wants however. This leader is going down in history as the first President to be impeached TWICE and will be talked about for years to come.  Look for his face to be plastered across every Social Studies textbook in schools.  This could be a good thing so children learn the truth - not just their parents' perspective.

I imagine 45 yelling at his staff.  Wow.  It must hurt for him not to get his way.  He has been handed things his entire life, bossed people around and lived by the, "my way or the highway," attitude.  Unfortunately for him, the American people have spoken. 

Our leader is a liar.  President elect Biden will have a heck of a job mending our relationships with allies, but he can do it.  The entire world is waiting to do business with a sane humanitarian again. Biden has built a relation with many leaders around the world as Vice President.  

It is time for us to heal. It is time for all Americans to check themselves; their values and integrity - then sit and have some serious conversations with their loved ones.  

A few more days to go.  Thank you to the Republicans that voted against 45.  Thank you for understanding that he is a huge offense to our nation. It does not matter what party you belong to, who you vote for, as long as the person believes in humanity and not bring danger to you or your loved ones.  When  you think about things, the vote was done in the very same place where 45 posed a threat to our nation's representatives.  Think about that. Thank you for your choosing the Constitution and holding 45 accountable.

Let's all think about that.

What is "Disrespectful" to Our Nation?

 

BENDING OF A KNEE - VS- STORMING THE CAPITOL 

We have all seen it by now.  If you haven't, let me know the rock you have been under because I want to go to that place with you!  Supporters of our current leader have stormed The Capitol; the place where officials from around the world gather to vote on issues affecting our country and its people - and it will go down in history.

Several conversations I have had this week brings me to ask the question, what do you consider disrespect of our nation? I am assuming it would depend on your political party, or if you have any values and integrity, you would answer fairly. That can be debated however.  

As seen in Newsweek's photo of Colin Kaepernick, he is kneeling - peacefully.  While he may be causing a "disruption" to some, he is quiet and kneeling for what he believes, not physically hurting anyone or destroying property - Federal property at that!  Choosing to use his platform to state a point, it has forced many young people to ask questions and many older Americans to be upset and lashing out at the athlete.

Now let's look at the San Francisco Chronicle's picture here:

This is taking a different kind of knee.  This is physically causing harm to someone- using the "platform" - line of work/career, in a different manor.  This was clearly about power - which became abuse of that power. The blue line could argue that he is doing what needs to be done to control the "hostile" environment but really, it seems the situation was under control long before this.  It appears to be a power message. THIS my friends, is white power. The fact that this form of ABUSE could occur and people believe it is right because one holds a badge and deals with dangerous situations and disruptive people every day.  Let's look at a different perspective.

NBC posted this photo.  It clearly shows a different intent of protesting for what you believe in. Imagine that.  The leader of the "free world," 45, wanted to put a wall at our borders but look who is scaling the walls of one of the most well-known, monumental, federal buildings in our country; his supporters, the ones who were in favor of him building a wall to keep out some immigrants that wanted to come here and clean our toilets, cook our food, clean the hotels we travel to, manicure our lawns and pick the foods we eat from fields - to have a better life - doing the stuff some Americans don't want to do!  We know what the other photos look like.  We have watched numerous broadcasts and have seen the protesters bragging, and posting on their own social media, about the actions they have taken and are proud of. Now imagine this being your property, your home! 

The problem with the two photos above is that the actions put FEAR into people's lives.  It caused a chain of events that resulted in more fear, rioting and death of citizens.  Meanwhile, all an athlete did was quietly bend on a knee for what he believed in.  This is white power. This is white supremacy and I cannot believe we are back at this point of the Civil Rights Movement.  

Racism and discrimination has always existed, we know this.  But 2020 has shown us that we have not come as far as I thought we did.  What some consider to be disrespect to our nation is completely different to others.  Understandable - but ethics people! Think about that crap! Some people missed that class and/or conversations at the dinner table. This year has shown me that people's idea of integrity and humanity is completely different and that the values I have in my family are completely different than what I will allow in to  my home. Relationships have been cut and severed.  No shame in my game because I think there is a fine line with disrespect and the line has been crossed a LOT this year. 

2021 has got to be better than 2020.  Has to be.  We are hating each other to a point I have not seen in my life time and our children only learn from us.  Get your heads out of your rear ends people. Imagine someone climbing the fence to your house and breaking in.  Bending on one knee, quietly, patiently waiting, well - that just doesn't look that disrespectful anymore now does it? Think about that crap!

10 Things 2020 Taught Me

 2020 Showed Me 10 Things

We'll get right to it.  Like many quarantining the last eight months, life changed.  It forced me to do some heavy thinking as we navigated through strange waters.  No need to sugar coat anything..... It will all come right out.

1. Goals don't always work out - not the way you want them to anyway but you can sure as hell plan and scratch things off the list, little by little and still be successful.  Your success does not amount to what someone else's success is. We all just have to remember that and get over the whole competition thing; even though life appears to be one big, fat competition.  Choose your happiness, or choose your stress.

2. When it is your time to go, it is your time to go.  

My Brother passed away after a simple fall led to a chain reaction of body systems breaking down.  Who knew that the cliche was true, "Don't go to sleep if you hit your head."  Well, I received a phone call and  hustled my butt to get myself and my mother packed and in my car within 30 minutes.  It was going to be the beginning of a long few days getting from from Florida to New York City.  By the time we arrived, we didn't know we'd be staying to say our good-byes to my brother and that we would be at the beginning of a health pandemic - in the hot spot!

3. Long life relationships experience change.

It doesn't matter if you move 1,000 miles from someone.  If you are meant to have them in your life for a reason, they will remain there, no matter the distance.  It will just take a little extra work, from both parties, to dial a number, send a letter, send a text message, or make their way for a visit. Where there is a will, there is a way!  When excuses start, it means something, or someone,  more important has taken your place and it is time to let the person, or persons, go.  Don't beg another person to be your friend. Oh no!  One side should not be doing all of the communicating. People grow up and move on.  If that is the case, just tell the other party so that they can move on with their life as well.  If you are loved, missed and cared for, it will be shown and no matter how far you are apart, you will find your way back to each other.  No freakin' excuses! Be happy with yourself.  Be content with what you have given to the other party to know that you stand strong in your need for your effort to be reciprocated.  You deserve commitment.

4. Patience is a Virtue

Yup. That cliche is true as well. Our bodies send us messages.  Whether you have abused your body, or treated it well by taking care of your mind, body and soul, it will talk to you.  Often, we have to let  nature take its course and give us glimpses of what we are to know.  Our bodies are temples.  Time is not always our friend but perhaps, time allows the wounds to heal. Listen to your body and question every single insane thing it is trying to tell you.  Mine tells me to slow down sometimes but it was also telling me something was wrong.  Don't be afraid to write, to lay down, to listen to what is being said to you.  Slowing down helps heal us in many ways than we know.

5. I am a better mother than my mother was. 

That's right.  I know the one things I will never fail at is being a mother.  It does not matter what my children do or don't do.  Again, success means different things to different people and I am here to support them no matter what.  I may get frustrated with them but my job is to let them know that they are not alone in the world and that I will be available to them- even as an adult - should they need guidance and uplifting.  Everything in the world can come crashing down and I will carry the weight of the world on my shoulders for my children because I believe mental health is the ultimate factor in our physical health.  My mother was busy with her friends and allowing my father to control her, mentally, that she forgot I was still her child.  Somewhere between my 14 year old stage and my 30+ stage, she realized she never supported me, or thought that I would need her. Well, she taught me how to be a better mother alright!  I became everything she was not!  Screw that crap!  The ball was stopping with me.

6. Netflix is amazing!

Back when DVDs use to get mailed to your house, we thought it was the greatest thing.  Poor Blockbuster would be out of business we thought.  Heaven only knows I should have invested in the streaming service sooner because it was the greatest thing!  Fast forward to an unprecedented time, during what would become a global pandemic and all of their progress paid off!  When the world went on lockdown, we got to watch the world on TV.  Thank you to technology.  Netflix and Zoom keep some of us sane.

7. Not all doctors know what they are doing.

A medical license allows a doctor to "practice" healthcare - to the best of their knowledge - and get away with almost ruining your life.  How sad is that.  The words that lie within little sentences mean so much.  The oath doctors take should mean so much more.  It is through a lack of care that we are given - what I like to call - band-aid treatments.  Call it lazy, call it selfish, or call it careless.  Not all doctors that are licensed should be practicing health care.  They get away with doing the bare minimum and as a result, someone's family suffers while they move on and hopefully,  you find a diamond.  I did. One saved my life one Fall day in 2020, after months of care by another doctor did not help my medical situation.  All I can say is that God had a plan for me and when he put me in the path of the new specialist, it was meant to be.  Second and third opinions are our responsibility.  Trust not ONE doctor with your life if you feel something is wrong and it is not being taken care of.  Go to another - and another - if you have to.  After all, they are "practicing" medicine.

8. Partners hurt as well.

It is easy to think your partner is strong and can hold everything together.  Fact is, they may, however, we all have feelings.  We all have emotions and feel hurt, sad and strong when we need to.  Don't forget the other person. After years of a relationship, it is still important to show your partner the love you have for them.  Show them that you are still IN love with them and that your love is worth fighting for - and worth saving - and they will do anything for you.  

9. Politics ruins relationships.

You cannot fix stupid.  Some people are naive and gullible and will be stubborn, no matter what is staring them in the face.  Accept it and understand that you really should pay attention to who you choose to raise your children around, if you have any, and who you spend your time with.  Politics ruins these relationships because there is no way of saying that you can agree to disagree with someone's choices when it involves values, integrity and humanity.  That should affect a relationship and politics, like religion, bring out the worst in people.  The worst of people that you should not have around your family if you do not believe in the same things.

10. Racism is real. Discrimination is real.

Sounds so stupid to say, I know.  I was so blinded to think we had gotten past the Civil Rights Movement.  I mean, I live with discrimination as a female every single day but more so when I want to go in to a specific store to purchase and item and am made to feel like I do not belong there.  Walking down a street is never an issue for my "white" friends but because I have a bit of melanin in my skin, I am made to feel different in places.  The riots that occurred this summer were scary, and sad.  Marching in the streets the way our ancestors did was hurtful, shameful.  Not for doing it, rather because we should not have had to do it! The world needed a leader to bring us together again and we just didn't get it from our current administration.  He allowed the world to be in a devastating state. There is no reason the Confederate flag should still  be waved outside of people's cars and windows. No reason why White Supremist groups are still a thing..... we shop at the same stores, visit the same theme parks and eat at the same restaurants.  There is no reason why, in this day and age of technology, and knowledge, that our world is divided because our skin color has more melanin that another's.  We are not better than another person because of the color of our skin. We are better than another for what we choose to do with our lives!  We WILL heal but just know, effort is your responsibility.  It is up to ALL of us and silence equals approval.

Life happens but it is up to you to determine how your story plays out. Let it be a good one - otherwise, it is YOU that ruined your life.  YOU that limited yourself and YOU that didn't put effort. No one else - so take control not let someone else control it.  Think about that crap!