Thankful

I've lived several lives, very different lifestyles. My life has been complete. Everything I've ever wanted to do or experience, I have. I'm lucky and proactive at the same time.

I am thankful for all the wonderful opportunities in my life. Not to say I haven't had my share of dark times; I've probably had more.

Bad experiences built character. Some were caused by others, some completely within myself. For example, being stalked taught me to live my life as if someone was always watching. When you live your life this way, you are a better person. Not to say stalking has any positive qualities; however, in reaction to it I learned to live as if I were Jim Carey in the Truman Show. Another example was when I used self-medicating and destructive coping techniques to deal with my life after my sister died. The drug, alcohol, and sexual experiences I had taught me that I wasn't as strong as I had thought and not to judge other people for their coping techniques. Discovering my susceptibility knocked me off my Princess Pedestal and increased my empathy for others.

I regret none of the choices I've made in life and am thankful for them. While difficult, an important step for me was ending friendships with people who remained stuck in their own dysfunctions. This isn't a rejection of them or a belief that I am superior--it is self-protection. My experiences with dysfunction has helped me easily recognize it and I don't want those people being part of my influential circle. Without judging them for their personal choices, I selectively choose my friends now based upon compatible values.

I hope everyone who reads this blog, also clicks and reads this other link: http://www.howtolive.com/fill-your-life-with-amazing-people/. Knowing this might just change your life.  :)    Be thankful for what you have experienced so far and live your life surrounded by friends who support the life you want going forward.

Sex-starved

The below video is a speech from Michele Weiner-Davis about sex-starved marriages. I read her book during a past relationship to better understand how to cope with a partner who refused to have sex with me.



As she points out, the low-drive partner determines the frequency of sex. People often assume that it's women who create sexual anorexia in a relationship--but that's not always the case. My ex's disregard for my physical needs and feelings about this were huge red flags and part of our break up. Having a healthy sex life is important for mutual respect and lasting happiness.

Lent suggestions?

Because I believe that the yearly "40-days-without" Lent tradition is good for me, this year I Googled* the dates in advance so I'll be prepared: February 18-April 2. I'm meant to to do this! Feel free to make suggestions for what you think I should change during this time. Obviously, the final decision is up to me...but I will seriously consider any suggestions. :)


* Google lists a straight 40 days. This is probably better for me than 46 days with a few cheat days thrown in.   (For an explanation why Lent begins 46 days before Easter but is only 40 days long, see How Are the 40 Days of Lent Calculated?) 

MIT Doctor Links Glyphosate to Autism Spike - Dr. Stephanie Seneff

I have been extremely outspoken regarding my views on GMOs. Even recently, I observed that how someone eats factors into whether or not I will consider him partner material. People may think I'm nuts; but I think all those who don't care about this issue are nuts.

What follows below is from a news story about Glyphosate being linked to an autism spike. Not only is this chemical in Roundup and in GMO foods, it is also in vaccines.

As the new Congress kicks off in Washington, one of the biggest agenda items on the table will be how much money and how much power the FDA and Department of Agriculture will have at their disposal. We’ve already seen signs in the new spending bill that indicate lawmakers want to make it EASIER for big companies to HIDE their GMO products from consumers. As we learn from one doctor at MIT, this GMO craze could cost a lot of children their health. Today, we welcome MIT Doctor Stephanie Seneff.

In her recent article she makes a very stark warning that by the year 2025, half of all American children could have autism. That’s an alarming increase over one decade.

She claims it all comes down to a chemical called glyphosate, commonly found in Monsanto’s herbicide, RoundUp. So what happens when a human comes in contact with that chemical?

1. http://www.anh-usa.org/half-of-all-children-will-be-autistic-by-2025-warns-senior-research-scientist-at-mit/ 
2. http://www.biofortified.org/2015/01/medical-doctors-weigh-in-on-glyphosate-claims/

2015 has started both good and bad

First the bad news: Someone I love fell and broke her hip. This is a tough injury to recover from. Luckily, she is a very strong determined woman. Her partner loves her very much and is taking off work to care for her. I wish I lived closer so that I could help... I pray she recovers as quickly as possible.

And now...my good news: I have been talking with a new romantic interest. He is older than me, handsome, financially secure, has good business acumen, has raised children and is open to more, and we want the same things in life. Of course, we don't live in the same country. Life is rarely that simple. But without settling, I shouldn't expect to find Mr. Right living around the corner. As I said in a previous post, geography is easily solved with money and flights.  :)