Sunday, June 17, 2012

Running and being Brave

I have gotten to a point with my blog where I am running from it.], and have been for quite some time.  Why would I run from my blog?  Well, you see I have had a lot going on in my life, in many areas.  I have a lot to share, but when I come to my blog to share it all, I allow my current pain, frustrations, irritations, etc. to overpower me, and so I stop...I don't write.  Partly because (as previously blogged about) I know who reads my blog, and I refuse sensor it or "hide" it.  (I say that now...lol)

A lot of what has been going on in my life totally involves others, and it is a true heartbreak when you spend so much time and energy on people, only to have it come back and slap you in the face.  I will not allow anymore of this to keep me from my blog.  

With that said, I'm moving on...I already have.  I have the best friends in the world.  They have been there for me in more ways than I could ever imagine.  I cannot imagine how I would have made it through the last "who knows how long" without them in it.  For that, I am truly grateful!!  

For a moment, I am specifically talking about Pop and T, and they are the greatest!  They are WAY more than friends....they have become family.  I have never asked for any one of my friends to do anything to be a friend to me...  I have also never tried to make my friends feel like they have to compete with any of my other friends (I hope...if so, this has never been the intent).  I guess I just always saw friendships as always being there...I have been proven wrong in this mindset recently, unfortunately.  

I have more going on in my life than I ever thought I could imagine...as I am sure most people have thought at one time or another.  But, the support system that helps me get through the day is of utmost importance.  I may not tell you how much you have helped me...even if it was a statement on FB or a quote on Pinterest, but please know that it helped me get through the day.  I also feel like if you are a true friend of mine then you will also help others to support me when I need it.  And, I need it a lot.  :)  Even if it is a "like" on FB.  I have seen a lot of that on FB... I notice it all.  Thank you for being true friends, even when I don't call you out on it!  I have many fantastic friends in many different capacities...some from childhood, adulthood, work, church, medical stuff, other friends, etc.  While I am close to each...it is MOSTLY in the capacity that I know them.  Some I know more than that, and that is great.  All of the friendships are still a very valuable friendships...I am a friend for life...unless you cross me.  But, I think there are many people that can even attest to the fact that with most anything between friends CAN be worked out.  I am that kind of a person...I think.  To my knowledge, I have a lot more friends...many more...than I do enemies...or even people who just don't like me.   
In saying that, and with my small shout out to Pop...here goes my BIG shout out to her!  (I am not idolizing her...just merely telling the world how great she is because most of you haven't met her!  She is FANTASTIC!!!!) 

I have never in my life met a person that gets me the way she gets me.  As for the aforementioned fantastic friends...some from childhood, adulthood, work, other friends, etc.,  they are exactly as I stated, but she has become like a sister to me.  Yes, I know I already have two...but this is different.  Pop and I can sit in a room with complete silence and be 100% content.  We are also content gabbing away and laughing at our ding-dong hubbies.  She is a person who is almost the exact opposite of me, and yet we share the same "heart thoughts"...ironic as S is the same way in terms of being opposite of me...maybe that is why we are how we are.  Pop, whether you know it or not, I draw a lot of strength, joy, compassion, love, and reserve from you.  You make me smile first thing in the morning  and send me positive vibes when (you don't know) I need them the most.  My world has stayed intact because you have been helping to keep it that way without even knowing.  I will never be able to tell you what you mean to me.  I am so glad that we share what we share...laughs, exercise (or current lack thereof), church, God, tears, heartache, heart mending, and silliness.  I love sharing the kitchen with you!  You make me want to be healthier (and a better cook...  :)  ).  Most of all, I thank God on a daily basis that He has placed you (and T) in my (our) life.  You have been there for some of the most important times in my most recent life, and I love that you are the "extra" Aunt to my children. I will never leave you...you are stuck with me until life ends.  :)  Thank you for who and what you are to me!!!  I never thought that all those years ago, we would be where we are now!  I am so happy, and this (our friendship) is so great!  Things will only get better from here...right?!  You make me brave!  :)  

Pop, this next part is due only in part to you and your bravery!  

All this being said, comes to the "being brave" section of my title.

You see, when I first started this blog (a LONG time ago), I thought it would be cool to just journal stuff as the days happened.  Actually it started on myspace...  I kept it (this blog) hidden (and even parts of me in it) for many reasons.
  
1) While I am a talkative person (in person), I only let you see what I want you to see.  Parts of this blog were and are still who I am...on more of the real me. 
2) Once I gave out the blog to people I realized I began to sensor myself due to not wanting "them" to know how I really felt about something...  Yes, I am aware (after talking to a FANTASTIC blog friend) that even the best bloggers sensor themselves to a degree.  It depends on the blog and the blogger.  
3) What will my "real" friends and family think once they see inside my true workings?  Time will tell.
4) What happens when I want to talk about controversial items that are personal to me?  Will you change your views about me?  Will you still "be my friend"?  
5)  Last one...I struggle with my spirituality a lot, as can be in this blog.  I am not looking for someone to chastise me, change my thoughts/beliefs, or even challenge me; however, I do welcome a different perspective on things just to show you that I have an open mind.

I feel like I am an just like every other person/woman/mom in the world...maybe...with struggles, laughs, trials, joys, etc. just like everyone else. 

SO...I will post this blog on FB...officially.  

*I will not edit any previous posts, so please know that those were my thoughts in the moment.  If you have a question or comment please respect me and follow through appropriately.  I realize that there are those of you who already know this blog as mine and we have talked (sometimes) at great lengths about some of the issues.  I am not a "regular" blogger, but I try to be...sometimes.  I tend to be a very busy person, so I post when I feel like I can. 

** You will notice that I struggle with some of the same issues in the beginning as I do now.  I am working on them in many ways, but know that, again, I am open to alternative ideas. 

***There are a lot of people that this one blog post could refer to in terms of being a great friend, I hope you know who you are.  If not, then I am seriously slacking!  Please let me know! 

**** I cannot promise that I will always be who you want or see me to be in this blog.  I also cannot promise that I will put 100% of me out there 100% of the time.  If nothing else, it will allow me to be more accountable to myself in many areas.  

Please always feel free to contact me in any manner if you have any questions or comments.  I just ask that you are respectful of/to me...I will do the same.  However, please know that the whole purpose of this blog is for me to be me and discuss my current life, thoughts, etc.   

If you know me personally, DO NOT contact any member of my family about the information shared on this blog as this is MY blog...not theirs.  These are my words, thoughts, and feelings.  While I may discuss mine and their lives I try to do so with some privacy (thus nicknames or initials...).  I ask that you maintain that privacy with them.  They know I have this blog, but they did not choose for me to write about them.  Again, these are my words, thoughts, and feelings.

Thanks for reading!  I hope you enjoy!!!  In the meantime, I will try and pull the blogs I had previously written on myspace.

Saturday, March 31, 2012

New perspective and Mental Health


First off, I am so grateful for the wonderful and wise words from Laura. They along with those closest to me have made a huge difference in my life over the past two weeks. It has pulled me closer to God and myself. THANK YOU! THANK YOU! THANK YOU!

Now...something that is near and dear to my heart. This week our lives were smacked with a really big dose of reality. As some may know, my husband has suffered with some mental health issues for a LONG time. To the point that he hasn't been able to work in over a year. He has been seen by many mental health physicians over the years, but they could never quite pin point what the issues were...they could only see bits and pieces.

Well, after having been seen almost weekly by the same doctors for over a year, they have formally diagnosed him with Bipolar II with psychosis and severe anxiety. Basically, he suffers from more severe depression than mania...but he has psychotic tendencies (hearing voices, seeing things, feeling thing, etc) much like someone with schizophrenia would do just not to that extent. Then, you have is anxiety. Most days he is too afraid/anxious to come out of the bedroom...much less the house.

His depression has caused many procedures to take place in our home...meds locked up, weapons put away, etc. He has self-harmed and been suicidal, but it IS getting better...I have to believe that. However, if you know anything about Bipolar Disorder then you know it is a minute by minute and day by day thing.

On the other side of all of this, I see our son starting to display some (a lot) of characteristics of depression. We are in the process of starting counseling...he has started soccer back, so I know that will help, but he is also doing some of the "relieving the pain" behaviors that aren't good. Along with him not eating, disconnecting from us, sleeping all the time, etc.

So, I say all of this to make the point that there needs to be more awareness brought to Bipolar Disorder. There is such a stigma behind it...I HATE IT!

My next tattoo will look like this...
It will be on my right inside wrist bone...maybe an inch and a half big.

It is beautiful and so necessary in my life.

Friday, March 16, 2012

Randomness and Reality...strength

I haven't been on in while due to a TON of stuff going on in my life...in many areas. And, because this is a blog (even though it is my blog) I just haven't wanted to put all of my personal stuff out there. I know I can hide...or block it, but I told myself, when I started this blog, that I would not do that...this is mine and mine alone. It is my space to be me... Very few of my friends/family know this blog exists because I want to be me without their commentary or judgement. Due to what has gone on, I have "hidden" from my blog to keep from causing others pain or hurt by speaking about it. I kind of feel like I have cheated myself in that area. That is what a blog is for...not to cause pain, but to be your own space. I want to be "the real me" in my spot.

I often come to this song: The Real Me by Natalie Grant

Foolish heart looks like we're here again
Same old game of plastic smile
Don't let anybody in
Hiding my heartache, will this glass house break
How much will they take before I'm empty
Do I let it show, does anybody know?

[Chorus:]
But you see the real me
Hiding in my skin, broken from within
Unveil me completely
I'm loosening my grasp
There's no need to mask my frailty
Cause you see the real me
Painted on, life is behind a mask
Self-inflicted circus clown
I'm tired of the song and dance
Living a charade, always on parade
What a mess I've made of my existence
But you love me even now
And still I see somehow
But you see the real me
Hiding in my skin, broken from within
Unveil me completely
I'm loosening my grasp
There's no need to mask my frailty
Cause you see the real me
Wonderful, beautiful is what you see
When you look at me
You're turning the tattered fabric of my life into
A perfect tapestry
I just wanna be me
But you see the real me
Hiding in my skin, broken from within
Unveil me completely
I'm loosening my grasp
There's no need to mask my frailty
Cause you see the real me
And you love me just as I am
Wonderful, beautiful is what you see
When you look at me

Here is the video:



This song resonates in my head...the real me...letting people in...taking off my mask...

Most recently, I have come to know a lot about truth, trust, and complete honesty; parts that make up "the real me". I often think about others feelings in most everything I do. Part of that means that I will not do/say something because of pain that I thought it might cause. Some issues that have taken place in my life recently have to do with me saying/doing something that hurt another person(s). It was done totally without prior thought to the pain (or other emotions) it could cause, but was just me being me. I am not sorry about it...I am sorry about the emotional downfall it cause.

I have a heart that cares a lot about people...how they feel, what they think, what they do...but in a manner that is totally heart led. All this has taught me that maybe thing aren't what they seemed to be and maybe (no, I know for sure) that I wasn't being me...the whole me.

I have learned that I can't please everyone and that life is to be lived. When I tell someone that I love them, I mean it. If you are my friend, you are my friend for life...I don't ever count on it ending...even if does sometimes. If I let you "in"...you are "in"... I don't trust easily due to things in my life that have hurt me, but I try.

As I write this post, I am still holding back...not being completely me. This has all caused so much emotional turmoil.

Why am I holding back?! Why am I worried?! Why am I fearful?! Why do I chose NOT to be the real me? Why am I what I see the real me as, and it still not be what makes me feel good? Why can't I just be blunt and honest and not worry?

It makes me so angry at myself...

Does anyone else have this picture of who they think they are or want to be vs who they really are or want to be?

For example, I know a lot about myself in terms of what I like, what I am like and who/where I would like to be. I am a Christian...LOVE IT. Although, I guess maybe I am not a "good enough" Christian in what my stereotype is...but I have no idea what that stereotype is. I guess I see it as a: prays day and night, reads the bible seeking advice on everything, fits in a perfect little box with a pretty pink bow on top, perfect hair, perfect clothes, etc.

ME: Loves Contemporary Christian music, skulls, tattoos, songs that make me feel good no matter the lyrics, a glass of wine (or two), punk rock music, cussing, rebelling, piercings, teaching, "classy but yet comfortable" attire, reading the bible when I remember to do so, lacking in devoted prayer time about anything and everything, other things that I am sure I would be looked at "un-Christian-like" about.

I hate the judgement that I feel in this area...not that anyone has said anything about my Christianity, but the thoughts that are implied by cleverly spoken words.

It is also like me being a teacher. It seems that there is little box that teachers are supposed to fit in, and while I love teaching, I DO NOT fit that mold...so to speak. Again, I LOVE tattoos and piercing (something that is very much frowned upon in the teaching world). I love skulls and being different...something looked own upon. I just want to be me. I guess I just have to be the best variation of me while still staying true to who I am. I have the tattoos...they just don't make an appearance at school. :)

I know that my God loves me, and he knows my thoughts and who I am...the real me. So, the question is...why can't I allow everyone to see the real me? Why do we (I) hide?

Casting Crowns has a song that, for me, explains my thought process...maybe

"Stained Glass Masquerade"

Is there anyone that fails
Is there anyone that falls
Am I the only one in church today feelin' so small

Cause when I take a look around
Everybody seems so strong
I know they'll soon discover
That I don't belong

So I tuck it all away, like everything's okay
If I make them all believe it, maybe I'll believe it too
So with a painted grin, I play the part again
So everyone will see me the way that I see them

Are we happy plastic people
Under shiny plastic steeples
With walls around our weakness
And smiles to hide our pain
But if the invitation's open
To every heart that has been broken
Maybe then we close the curtain
On our stained glass masquerade

Is there anyone who's been there
Are there any hands to raise
Am I the only one who's traded
In the altar for a stage

The performance is convincing
And we know every line by heart
Only when no one is watching
Can we really fall apart

But would it set me free
If I dared to let you see
The truth behind the person
That you imagine me to be

Would your arms be open
Or would you walk away
Would the love of Jesus
Be enough to make you stay

I am such a music/lyric person...it speaks to me and makes sense when nothing else does.

Maybe I need to stop thinking of what "perfect" is, and start being me...the real me...stained and all.


To change the subject in a way...I have been more in God's word lately. More than I normally am and it makes me very proud of myself. It is mostly due to situations around me, but nonetheless He is calling me to his word...in daily life and in prayer.

Due to the above-mentioned stuff, I got a new tattoo last week. It represents a whole lot of stuff and will carry me through future stuff.




There is much more going on in my life (for a few other posts), but I am going to end this total randomness. I hope that if you read this you get to know me a little better (and that I don't run you off).