Do you know any “power couples”?

I have a friend who is…one half of a power couple waiting to happen.

AND.THAT.ISH.IS.UP.UNDER.MY.SKIN.IN.WAYS.THAT.DEFY.DESCRIPTION.

I sit here thinking about it now and all I can hear is the refrain from an Ashford & Simpson song, “LOOSE ME!”

I need to drop back. Survey the land…Ask myself what’s what….

…and stop singing that “LOOSE ME” refrain….

if what I truly want….

is….the opposite…..

…to be the other half….

….of a….MAGICAL….POWER COUPLE

*SIGH* And yet, a wise person knows that SAYING ‘I’m ready for love” is lifetimes away from BEING
ready.

*SIGH* India.Arie sho’ makes it sound easy when she’s strumming that guitar and singing that plaintive yet soulful song, huh? The power of marketing. LOL

Be easy ya’ll…..

I wrote this piece a while back. When I was trying to find some peace, some “logic” behind the “why” of a relationship that went awry. I’d like to say it was a situation where I was “absolved” of any responsibility in the “demise” of what probably never should have been in the first place. More to the point, the “demise” of what turned out to be exactly what it was meant to be - a learning experience. I would receive no absolution this time.

I was drawn to him for many reasons - he’s intellect, sense of humor, common interests, etc. Did I mention that he’s attractive? But I think what drew me the most, the phemerone that pulled me closest to him? BROKENNESS. In spite of everything we see as his exterior, I sensed some wounds. And that’s all I needed. I donned my rescue outfit and headed into deep water. Not realizing that it was my own reflection that I saw - in the water…and in him.

Make no mistake about it - I realized in the moment that I had some “chips” (though I probably wouldn’t have labeled it ‘brokenness’…even though that’s what it was). I thought since they were “chips”, we could smooth those over and love our way through them…especially while “we” were working to repair “his” breaks. Repeat after me: “Mirror Mirror on the wall, who’s the most broken one of all?” Can you imagine how I felt when the “mirror” answered “YOU”? Ha!

No one is responsible for your healing other than you. People can be instruments IN that healing but ultimately, it’s on you. In the end, the battle to heal yourself, to love and be loved, to be whole, healthy & happy is YOURS. (Check the job description if you don’t believe me.)

If you’re not ready, willing and able to step into the battle, don’t recruit others.

Live DELICIOUSLY!
~ J ~

I didn’t know. Until recently. But…I think I’ve fallen in love…with Fall.

In the past, if you asked me about my favorite season, I would reply “Spring” without any hesitation. What’s not to love? Everything is new again. Life is being birthed around us daily in beautiful ways too numerous to count. Spring showers. Flowers growing in the most odd places, redefining our concept of strength, beauty…determination.

Spring is a love song. Summer, a thumping bass.

But Fall? Fall is a season that courts quietly. Reminding you daily to simply slow down. Breathe deeply. Rest. To trust that all you need will show up. When you need it.

It’s in the mode of slowing down that I find myself. Literally.

Fresh Fall mornings find me hugging a mug of my favorite tea. Sitting by the window. No worries about that “to-do” list. Simply concentrating on my “To Be” list…setting my intention for the day. Maybe this period of “sponsored unemployment” afforded me a different view of Fall. Admittedly, if I were working, I wouldn’t have time (correction: wouldn’t MAKE time) to notice how early morning sunlight kisses jewel-tone leaves. I wouldn’t notice how the crisp morning air entices me to burrow deeper under the comforter. The crunch of leaves under my feet as I walk through the park or through my neighborhood. Curling up under a light blanket with a cup of hot chocolate and a good book.

I’m reminded of Fall days growing up when we had to rake a yard full of leaves (ugh!). We’d grab an old blanket, take turns climbing into the center of it over that huge pile of colorful leaves, and toss the person up into the air. Grab those old wire hangers, unfurl them, pop marshmallows over the end and roast them over a small fire. Ahhh, those were the days. Um, yeah – ya girl is a little bit country. Act like ya know!

Yes, Fall whispers to me, enticing me to slow down.

Oddly enough, it’s in this season, Fall, this slowing down season that I find my life speeding up.

More gets done when less is important.
More gets done when clarity is born.

Certainly makes “falling in love” worth it.