My Pink Roadmap

A lot of changes are taking place in my life at the moment. Given, they are gradual and I tend to embrace change, I can’t help but feel a bit overwhelmed. The thought of not knowing what’s going to happen next is exciting, at the same time, a bit stressful. This is me being tested. 

I found it a bit ironic that in the midst of my turmoil yesterday evening (before I decided to take my stress out on the elliptical at the gym) I decided to use the “stumbleupon” feature on my Firefox window and the very first page it took me to was a poem by Robert Frost, “Two Roads Diverged in a Yellow Wood.” I remembered this poem from my Sophomore English class in High School and decided to look over it again: 

TWO roads diverged in a yellow wood,
And sorry I could not travel both
And be one traveler, long I stood
And looked down one as far as I could
 To where it bent in the undergrowth;Then took the other, as just as fair,
And having perhaps the better claim,
Because it was grassy and wanted wear;
Though as for that the passing there
Had worn them really about the same, 
And both that morning equally lay
In leaves no step had trodden black.
 Oh, I kept the first for another day!
Yet knowing how way leads on to way,
I doubted if I should ever come back.  
I shall be telling this with a sigh
Somewhere ages and ages hence:
Two roads diverged in a wood, and I—
I took the one less traveled by,
And that has made all the difference.

I found inspiration in Robert Frost’s words, a light at the end of the tunnel if you will. The poem was a reminder that life is Journey and can only be as amazing as you decide to make/let it be.

These are the moments when we need to let go, keep focused on what it is that we truly desire in life and let The Universe figure out the how’s and what-not’s. When it boils down to the nitty-gritty all we want is happiness and I already have that. This is the point in the story where I fasten my seat belt, throw my hands in the air, let my hair down and scream with excitement, for the ride of my life is just beginning and I am going to love Every Single Minute of it.

Today's Think Pink Post was written by a dear friend of mine, Leslee Horner. You can follow her writings on her blog 'Waiting for the Click' and also find her on Twitter. Leslee continues to display her bravery and courage through her writing- letting it all hang out. Rock on Pinkie, we love you!

A few weeks ago, when I was in the midst of the funk, I read a blog post by Truthwalker.  He made mention of how when he is sad porn seems like a good idea, but always leaves him empty.  I commented on the post saying that I could relate, only my “porn” seems to be the internet in general (especially Twitter, Facebook, and this blog).  I think the internet is wonderful.  There are tons of things that I could be doing online that I am not.  I have discovered and connected with a lot of excellent writers who have entertaining and informative blogs.  I could be reading those.  I am interested in using my writing talents to help others.  There are tons of resources online that I could be utilizing.  I could be researching my novel idea.  I could even be searching for conferences and workshops I’d like to attend or classes I might like to take.  I could be learning and expanding.  If that was what I was doing online I could easily excuse the hours I spend in cyber-space, but for the most part it is not.  I’d say that what I do with my time on the internet can only be described as seeking validation.

We all want to be validated.  It’s human nature and for most of us the opportunity for this validation is incorporated into our daily lives.  The majority of adults spend their days with other adults.  They get their “atta boys” and empathy/sympathy from bosses, co-workers, and friends.    I have been a stay-at-home-mom now for 5 years.  In the beginning, I was a member of a big playgroup and was with other moms almost daily.  The group was fun, loving, and supportive.  But ever since school entered the equation and the moms in my life have less time, the daily adult interaction I get mostly just happens when Mark arrives home from work.  I miss the validation.  I miss sharing myself with others (besides my husband who knows all there is to know) and being able to listen.    So I’ve recently found that the internet can provide that for me  in small doses.  The problem is I find myself surfing between email, Facebook, Twitter, and this blog.  I send an email and wait for a response.  I mention someone in a tweet and wait for a re-tweet.  I post an update on my Facebook status and wait for people to “like” it.  And finally I check and re-check my wordpress dashboard looking to see if any of my lovely readers have left me a comment.  If they do, I am validated.  If they don’t, I’m left feeling deflated.

This neediness is something I am ready to let go of.  I’m tired of thinking that my worth is measured by how many people approve of me.  I want my validation to come from some place else, some place deep inside of me.  I want to put my thoughts on paper (or computer screen) and not give a shit if anyone is reading them.  I want to tell my truth and not care if anyone accepts  it.  I want to be convinced from within that I am enough.  That’s a click worth waiting for….

Here’s a wonderful video someone posted in their comment!  It’s about 15 minutes long, but worth the watch.

What about you Pinkies? Is there an area of your life where you need to be validated in order to like you mission is complete? What parts of your life do you seek approval in order to feel appreciated?

Don't know what Mojo is? Find out more here.

1. Take 10 minutes a day to enjoy the outdoors. Whether you are walking, hiking, relaxing in your hammock, or sitting and breathing fresh air- taking in the atmosphere will help revive your energy.

2. Do a favor for a friend. Sometimes when people ask us for favors we are too consumed with our own lives to take a few moments to help one another. Taking the time to lend a hand is one of the simplest acts of kindness.

3. Send someone a Thank You Note. Randomly pick someone out of your address book (email or physical addresses) and send them a Thank You Note, just for being who they are.

4. After a long day be the first one to ask how the other persons day went. No matter who you walk through the door to after work, be the first to ask how their day was. Did anything exciting happen? What was the highlight of their day? Listening to what our families or friends went through that day might be just what they needed.

5. Go to a space where you have a little privacy and DANCE! For 5 minutes, whether it is to the music in your head or on your ipod- rock out like there is no tomorrow. Be sure to smile and loose control in the process. Your day is sure to perk up after a good jig.

6. Walk down a crowded street for a few blocks smiling from ear to ear. Yawns are the only thing that is contagious! You might even open a few doors for people while passing, even if you aren't going in to that particular building.

7. Go to your local park with a trash bag and gloves. Helping keep our cities clean is a great way to get your Mojo pumping. What if there were no maintenance people to help keep our cities clean? Take part now to make a difference.

8. Give a hug to the first person you see. Even if it is that person at the office that you don't get along with all that well. Humans have a need for touch. After all, newborns can die without having felt the comfort of another persons touch.

9. Buy a meal at a near by restaurant and give it to a homeless person. Could you imagine not knowing where your next meal was coming from? Not having a roof over your head or all the amenities we have become accustomed to? Help the homeless.

10. Add money to a parking meter. If you happen to walk by some parking meters and notice that someone is about to run out of time or you cross an empty space, put some money in the meter. The person that finds it will be thrilled, wouldn't you?

I feel as if this story has been a long time coming. I want to honor a very special person in my life, my Aunt Doris, A True Pinkie. Doris always tells me how proud and in awe of my writings she is; it boggles my mind because for so long I have been in awe of her. Though there have been many people that have contributed to who I am today, I feel that Doris, above all has made the largest impact on my existence.

For as far back as I can remember, Doris has been my teacher, my mother, my guidance, my inspiration and more importantly my creativity. When I was little, most of my time was spent at her house. Everyday was a new adventure; from having friends of the neighborhood over to play to creating recipes from peanut butter and sugar, the fun never stopped. One of my most favorite activities was playing dress up. Doris had several old prom dresses, wedding gowns and bridesmaids dresses from garage sales and hand me downs that I so elegantly strutted around the house in. She was always encouraging me to have fun and to express myself.

There was never a moment I felt I couldn’t confide in her. Doris was always very open and honest. When it came to matters of the heart or a moment where I needed guidance, she was the first one to lend an ear without passing judgment. As I was growing up, Doris was the example of what unconditional love was for me. I had always felt like she was my biggest fan. Even in the moments where my morals slipped a bit, she right there waiting to catch me when I fell. She never gave up cheering for me.

As I am getting older, I realize how wonderful of a woman Doris really is. She is always going out of her way to help the people she cares about. Whether it is designing amazing gift baskets for baby showers, picking up her grandkids after school or having dinner ready every night for her husband (and anyone else who decides to drop by,) Doris is a Pink Goddess. Her selfless is untouchable.

My purpose of getting my story out there, Pinkies, is not just to honor my wonderful Aunt, but also to remind everyone that the only reason for our existence is to love one another. On a daily basis we come into contact with numerous amounts of people (the internet counts too!) Don’t ever forget that every conversation, every comment, every hug and every compliment reaches out to those people is ways we may never know. Take some time to honor your favorite Pinkie and let them know how they make a difference in your life!

 

Loving You,
Megan Monique

  (PS. Doris, Thank you for being in my life! I love you more than words can express.)