Being intimate with this moment

I usually put honey in my coffee. And most of it sinks to the bottom and I look forward to that last sip that is especially sweet. But I have come up against a huge problem (I say huge just to be dramatic). I am rushing through the coffee, burning my tongue, and always wishing that last honey saturated sip was a little longer. I call this – CONSTANT DISATIFACTION. This is not limited to how I drink my coffee. I sometimes find myself wishing I were older, thinner, more successful, etc. and I am missing out on the richness of my current life.

Another example. I think of my cousin at 25 busting her ass to finish nursing school and living on the hope that once she finishes her life will be better. Then she graduates, and then the next “I will be happen when…” phrase manifests, “I will be happy when I have a job”. We have all fallen victim to this scenario of trying to find the pot of gold at the end of the rainbow. I think in some respects this represents our hope (which is a beautiful thing)…or it is our crutch that gets us through hard times (totally necessary)… BUT soon it becomes a full-fledged sickness.

In the example with my cousins, she was lucky enough to confide in my uncle her frustrations, and this is what he said, “I hear you. You are disappointed, frustrated, and you can’t wait till your big break… but here is the truth - THIS IS YOUR LIFE”. It may sound harsh (that is the Volpicelli way), but he is right. This moment is your life, and there is nowhere to be but here. You are breathing. You have someone to vent to. You have your sanity. And if we can just refocus our energy on this specific moment we can see how lucky we are.

“Be happy for this moment, for this moment is your life”.

There are so many times I hear things like, “stop worrying about what is to come” or “don’t chase the pot of gold” or other negative phrases. So I want to leave you with positive phrases to repeat back to yourself when you are rushing through your coffee.

-be intimate with this moment

-be grateful for this day, because it will never come again

-be ok with where you are

“Some people feel the rain. Others just get wet.” –Bob Marley

I am embarrassed

After a long break from blogging, I think this is the best confession to make- I have been trying to avoid feeling embarrassed. I have been thinking of all the people out there that would be reading this blog and think I was silly, dumb, or arrogant. But this fear is what this blog is going to be about.

When we continue to protect ourselves to save face, are we stifling our success? Are we so concerned about our image that we don’t say what’s really on our mind? Are we so fearful of being judged that we opt out of events? Are we so afraid of going after what we really want that we end up sitting in our own shit?

Batgirl, my cat, my inspiration for life, has taught me a valuable lesson. When she wants a piece of turkey she hops right on the counter and takes that shit. She doesn’t get inside her head and think about the fact that she shouldn’t be on the counter or that the food isn’t for her - she just does it. Animal instincts baby. I am so jealous of this. I feel like I think about all the reasons something is wrong, rather than making an action plan and snatching what I want. Batgirl also doesn’t worry about the humiliation she might endure if I push her off the counter and she doesn’t get her turkey. It seems like there is no concept of failure built into her mind. How can we, as people, have this?

What I have found what works for me- I remind myself to act in LOVE & FAITH. This is my way of lessening my concept of failure. It may sound lame, but let me explain. Why not think of ourselves in the best way possible and believe that good things will come to us? For example, if I get in a fight with a friend, I choose to return to the idea of love & faith - I know I love my friend and I have faith that she will see my love. Or if you have a job interview - remember that you would love this position (or love the money) and have faith that the company will see your love and love you back. It sounds hippyish, I know, but if you can choose your thoughts, then why not choose to be optimistic about yourself and the world around you. And lets just say your friend doesn’t forgive you, or that you didn’t get that job… once again come back to the idea of LOVE & FAITH and see that the world has other plans for you.

With that being said, I am having faith that my readers find me lovable, I am going to continue to channel my inner Batgirl so that I can get what I want out of life, and I am basking in the happiness of blogging once again.

“EMBARRASSMENT IS A POINTLESS EMOTION THAT ONLY SERVES TO CONFUSE AND OVER EXAGGERATE REALITY”

“When I feel FEAR, I choose instead to LOVE”