Prize Inside! July 30, 2008

Though I have been more than a little lax on my blogging as of late,  it just came to my attention that I have reached a milestone.  This is my 100th blog! 

I began this blog as a journal of my journey “back into the real world”…in a new home, looking for a new life (including work and love).  It was meant to document my self-growth, but somewhere along the line I seem to have veered off that path and wound up writing of more random things.  (This may have happened due to the fact that nothing was happening in my job or love search…and the only thing growing was my anxiety and my waistline!) 

As a result of my slacking in the blogging arena, my readership has fallen off (understandably).  I do, however, have a loyal group that keeps checking in have supported me consistently.  I cannot tell you all how much I really appreciate your hang-in-there-with-me-ness. 

One of my loyal readers, a dear friend and mentor, has written a new self help book.  Since I am the Queen of Self-Help Book Owners, this was very exciting for me.  In honor of my 100th blog, I am giving away a copy of his new book.  I will draw the winner’s name from those who submit a simple comment within the next 48 hours. (If you’re shy, just comment “hi” and I’ll count you in).  You’ll have to trust me that I will conduct the drawing fairly, and if you are not the winner, you may want to check out the book for yourself.

 

 

This is not meant to assume that all of my readers are in any way in need of self-help, but surely you might know someone who is!     

http://www.shop.nevergrowup.com/product.sc?categoryId=1&productId=26

So leave me a comment, tell your friends to leave a comment, and I’ll be picking a winner at noon on Friday (East Coast Time).  And thanks for visiting Hysteria Lane. 

Here Today, Gone Tomorrow July 28, 2008

I attended the fourth annual Tibetfest in my area yesterday.  I had attended in the past and was excited to return, not only to support a cause I believe in ( http://www.tibetfest.com/what.htm ), but I was particularly excited to see the monks constructing the sand mandala.  It is beyond my comprehension how such intricate detail can be achieved with grains of sand.  The mandala is a Tibetan Buddhist tradition that symbolizes the transitory nature of all material things.  This is demonstrated through its construction, and subsequent deconstruction.  The deconstruction of the sand mandala is a highly ceremonial process. Symbols are removed systematically, the sand is collected in a jar and returned to the earth via moving water. 

This beautiful tradition reminds to not be attached to the “things” in my life.  Change is inevitable.  When things are falling apart, the slate is simply clearing for the next beautiful creation.

 

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=oS6eQ_4PyHk&feature=related

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=q6b7iro-qZ4

                                               

DWF Seeks IDEA July 18, 2008

Why have I not been blogging lately?  Well….there’s my vacation in the ashram, and the liposuction surgery that has had me recuperating in Brazil for the past week.  Maybe you’d be interested to know that I’ve been at space camp locked in an anti-gravity chamber, or that I was on a cross-country quest to find my twin sister separated at birth. 

None of that would be true, of course.  Instead I have been suffering from a chronic case of creative constipation.  In fairness, I do actually sit down each and every day to write a new entry.  After much huffing and audible sighing, writing and deleting, I spend a good 30 minutes straining to think of something (anything) to say before giving up entirely.  (I am sure that I’m at risk for a brain hemorrhoid).

So I ask you, the readers, for your help.  Throw out a topic.  Help a girl out.  My muse is MIA and I am seeking her replacement.

Ideas?

Two Simple Words July 12, 2008

I got a sincere apology today.  Key word: Sincere.  And that, my friends, is a powerful thing.  Two simple words, “I’m sorry” (technically, it’s 3 words…) can change everything when they come from the heart. 

I have a lot of respect for someone who can be vulnerable enough and brave enough to say them.

Is there someone who deserves your sincere apology?  (If it’s not sincere, don’t bother…) 

We all deserve the healing that comes as a result. 

May you be brave….

The Doctor Is In July 10, 2008

I’ve been through my share of psychotherapy.  Ok…I’ve been through MORE than my share of psychotherapy.  And though I have reaped some benefit (specifically at certain times) I can honestly say, I’m as messed up as the next person (well aren’t we all in our own special way?)

But yesterday I received a link to the following video.  After years of counseling, and heaven knows how much money down the drain, I believe I may finally have found the “cure” to any and all of my struggles. 

I am sharing this with the rest of you, believing that this may finally solve all of our problems. 

Too Fat for Fun July 3, 2008

I got invited to go to Cape Cod for the holiday weekend.  I opted out.  I thought I would visit some old friends over the long weekend.  Then I thought again.  Maybe I’ll go to the beach…..Oh, that’s right…I haven’t put on a bathing suit in 20 years….Well, at least I’ll maybe ask some friends to go on a picnic for the Fourth…..but I might melt in my turtleneck and long pants.

So it’s another year of putting off living my life because I’m too fat.  If I were a friend of mine (and shouldn’t I be?) I would tell me that I’m being completely ridiculous.  That life is too short to play the “when I have this situation, then I’ll be happy…” game.  Year after year goes by, with me avoiding people and events, looking at life with my nose pressed up against the window.  Wishing I could go out and play.

Oh, I’ve been thinner…never fatter….the human accordion.  Lost a lot of weight more times than Brittany Spears has made the cover of a magazine.  But that’s not the point.  Now is all there is.  I may never feel thin enough to go to the beach.  These arms may never qualify for a sleeveless shirt again.  

And I will never get today back.  

Paunch be damned!  What you see is what you get….and if you look real  close, maybe it’s not all that bad…

Lost and Found July 2, 2008

I started cleaning out my food pantry today.  With about half of its contents presently on the kitchen floor, I have been surprised to find what has been hiding amidst cans of baked beans and bottles of vinegar.  Aside from shelf after shelf filled with items that expired before Elvis did, I uncovered: 

 

1.  My passport.  (Hey, at least it was with all my international spices.)

2.  582 Plastic Bags.

3.  Three undeveloped disposable cameras from unknown events. (I’m a little afraid to see what’s in there…)

4.  A frisbee.

5.  A garage door opener (that doesn’t open MY garage doors…)

 

I’m motivated to do a thorough job,  hoping that among these hidden treasures I might find a winning lottery ticket or maybe some cold hard cash.  At this rate, I won’t be surprised if we finally learn the whereabouts of Jimmy Hoffa.