Where did YOU come from?

Do you know what is SUPER annoying!?  The last time I checked in with "self", I was feeling quite empty inside.  And as I sit here tonight, (greatly distracted by some jewelry online & countless other things), I can't find that darn empty feeling... and Who is this?  I feel ALIVE inside again... Kristen is in there and she woke up from her nap and wants to come out and PLAY!  All I can say is "Where did YOU come from?"

Now don't get me wrong, I am not complaining.  I have missed her quite frankly.  See, we go way back.  She has gotten us into a lot of trouble, laughed many laughs, cried many tears, and she is one of the craziest people I know!  But for a while there, my mountains were taller than me, and I couldn't see thru the clouds or over the peaks.  I spent more time looking at my feet scuff the ground or stress over BILLS (heaven forbid!) than I did anything else.  But here's what I have been thinking about lately... This actually just came to me-What if our valleys, our low points, are actually the OPPOSITE of what we make them.  Those low points, trials.. The stuff that really makes you say "blehhhh!"; bring us to a higher point of: understanding, faith, contemplation, consciousness, happiness, or F. All of the Above.

I look at the past few months and giggle out of gratitude.  I came upon a splendid idea once upon a time that suggested "Character building is not always comfortable"...   ~Take a moment and ponder that one.... ahhh, it's liberating....

I'll leave you on that note.  Until next time,

Kristen <3

Why so seriousss?

I love to laugh and sometimes use my sarcasm to its' last drop... Of course everyone has a different sense of humor or lack there of, so although others may not be able to tell, I do joke around A LOT.  There's a funny bone part of my dna that I think got a little distorted in transfer, but it's there none the less.  Joking around and finding something to laugh at are a daily occurrence.  Sadly, joking can be found offensive if given at the expense of another.  Or if ill-ly (haha, spelling!) placed amongst conversation, it can be taken totally UN-funny.  Either way, joking isn't always funny.

NoW, on the flip side of that coin:  As a human race, overall, I think we've gotten just way to dang serious.  To the point where most subjects have been reclassified into the "touchy" category.  Political correctness as explained here shortly, thanks to Wikipedia, is only one french fry short of the definition of a Zombie.

Political correctness (adjectivally, politically correct; both forms commonly abbreviated to PC) is a term which denotes language, ideas, policies, and behavior seen as seeking to minimize social and institutional offense in occupational, gender, racial, cultural, sexual orientation, certain other religions, beliefs or ideologies, disability, and age-related contexts, and, as purported by the term, doing so to an excessive extent.   

Zombie: The term is often figuratively applied to describe a hypnotized person bereft of consciousness and self-awareness, yet ambulant and able to respond to surrounding stimuli. 

Haha, I'm laughing now... Can you see the similarities!!??? UGH!!  As we progress in this lifetime, PC is the underlying premise for "everything we do" (we don't even know we are doing it, hence the quote marks--or hence the zombie definition? lol)  You can't make a comment on your facebook, might tick off someone--Say Merry Christmas on your voice mail or on your Christmas cards (or are they Holiday cards now??) in the event that someone out there may just NOT APPROVE and get OffEnDed!  Ohhh nooooooo, whatever shall we do!

There's a whole lot of eggshells out there that we are having to tip toe on and around.  Don't get me wrong, I believe in holding my tongue, choosing my battles, and having a strong moral compass to help me interact and live among other fellow human beings, but seriously---Why So Serioussss?   The late Heath Ledger asked this question in his final role as the Joker in Batman (2008).  He was a scarred fellow, coming from a broken/troubled home who enjoyed the company of other troubled rowdy individuals to give him a sense of belonging.  (He definitely gave PC a very large swift punt out of the park).  But his famous question holds a lot of value to what I'm trying to say here.  Where in the world did we all get so serious?  One looks "wrong" at another, makes a remark or says something "that doesn't set right" with another, or you're honest when you tell your friend, YES, those jeans do make your butt look big, and then she's tiffed when she is the one who asked..... It's exhausting isn't it?

Trust me, I'm guilty. I will never claim to have never let my mouth get the best of me.  However, as I've grown in thought, I've come to realize that we are all very different--more so than we give credit.  Reality is based on perception and although your reality doesn't fit into mine so well all of the time, it's no business of mine to segregate or try to dissuade you from your own opinions.  Think we all just need to take a chill pill and revel in (enjoy) the differences, and see if we can't learn something..... ;)

Until next time, take care and God bless... It's almost 2012!!   

Kristen

Chasing my tail...

Insanity: doing the same thing over and over again and expecting different results.
Albert Einstein

Have you ever watched a cat or dog chase its' own tail?  For a brief point in time, it forgets that their tail is in fact connected.  But still, with eager determination it salivates and grunts to catch it. ..Without any reprieve, they run in circles, pouncing and keenly attempting to capture that furry object that keeps "chasing them".  I feel like sometimes in life we chase our own tails.... Thinking that we can pounce on ((weight loss, breaking a habit, organization, learning a language, forgiving someone in our lives, cooking well, ...))) Unfortunately, if you're anything like me, you probably will get a great idea and expect it to just blossom from there.  We disregard the simple fact that to retrain the brain, fix bad habits, learn new ones, have a second language, or know how to function in an elevator without hyperventilating all take a new approach from what we have been doing currently. It takes effort, and possibly a change of direction..

Challenge

Failure is only a temporary change in direction to set you straight for your next success.
Only those who dare to fail greatly can ever achieve greatly--anonymous


My mom inspired me today.  The above quote was on her page and I am pretty sure she put that there for me.  God knows I have told her atleast four times in the past two days of how frustrated with myself I am.  So she answers with that and I am thinking, Yeah, it's all about perspective isn't it??  I am amazed at how instantly I felt not as crappy about myself and my "poor decision" making.  In lieu of airing my not-so-glamorous recent behaviors, I will just give you this analogy:  


When a child is small enough not to understand that the stove is hot, you say "Don't touch that, owie!"  He or she looks at you and quizically in their little mind is trying to figure out what in the heck you just said...It makes no sense to them.  So dumbfounded, they walk away from the stove; and as a parent, you think you've acheived something monumental and avoided a minor tragedy or trip to ER.  Well, little do you know, as you're boiling pasta there will be a little hand to follow not so long after.  Sizzle, sizzle, burn! That DOES HURT.  But wounds heal, owies go away; and that little tyke will soon forget that the stove is actually VERY hot at times.  What do you know, here comes that little paw again.... .OUCH!!


Ok, you're probably yawning by now.  My apologies. You may never retrieve those 15 seconds of your life again.  Put it on my tab.

According to the quote, whatever I may have done to feel extreme failure and disappointment at the moment is only going to set me up for a future success story.  A building block to a much smarter, conscientious me. :) That's not so bad, huh?

Thank you for a brand new perspective.   And uhm, note to self--the stove IS hot!

Sitting outside of your masquerade...

We're fools whether we dance or not,
so we might as well dance. ~Japanese Proverb

I have a really good husband.  He was trying hard to be an even better nurse. I don't feel well, so he had me all tucked in, then 10:30 p.m. rolls around, and there's that second wind (underneath alot of snot, sniffles, sneezes and such). My mind has me up again and it's getting to the point where I am very tired, and just want my mind to pause.

Honestly, I should know better by now...

These past few weeks, I have felt absolutely alien to my surroundings.  I have felt lonely.  ...Well, I am missing something; someone--  I am sitting on the outskirts of "your" masquerade. 

...Watching you as you dance, adorned from head to toe. With or without your partner,  you dance.  Cascading, gliding, twirling--your faces are lit with happiness.  Of course I cannot hear your private, most intimate conversations; and the sashay of your linens creates the sounds of a subtle ocean.  Legs crossed, cup empty, hand unattended, I watch.  And wish.  I meet glances with someone across the room and they begin to come my way.  Come to find out, they were not looking in my direction at all.  The music stops, the dance is over--this masquerade has only been a mirage before my eyes.  The breeze gently blows, kissing my bare shoulder.  There is no one in sight.  Nothing accompanies me but my hungry soul and the euphonious sounds of the crickets in the shadows.

Facebook is this dance to me.  I want to delete my account, oh, once a day at the very least.  I am addicted to it solely for the fact that it temporarily makes me feel like I am a part of something--something bigger, family like. 

I examine my life and feel as though I should just pick up and dance alone.  Dance with the air that allows me to sing; speak; breathe--  In begging for a "dance", I have found myself investing more and more time into facebook.  I have friends on facebook.  There are things going on, events and quotes, and conversations!  It's a play ground.  Unfortunately, when the violin suddenly stops playing, the account is not engaged; that satisfaction and fulfilled longing is empty again.

I have to smile, because I do have a few people that take very good care of my heart.  Most of those few are over 6 hours away from me.  And from afar, I dance with them in my heart.  Although I am forever grateful for them, I still long to have this dance with someone, out there, who wants to dance with me too.

I guess for now all I can do is pray and ask God to help me love others anyway; and most importantly, love me.  As I sit here, dress wrinkled, glass empty, and no one attending my hand; maybe you could do me the honor, Lord, of having this dance with me; and helping me live to my fullest each day regardless of circumstance.  Essentially, that's all any of us can do.  Live with no regrets, be kind, and dance anyway... :) xoxo

Rest In Peace, Aunt Barbara.

November 4, 2011, My aunt Barbara peacefully slipped into eternity after a four year battle with breast cancer.  I didn't know her well, but well enough to know that she was one of the only people on my dad's side of the family that acknowledged my existence and made me feel like family.  She was a crafty lady, had a woodshop, loved to paint, and was very interested in Native American culture.  She was goofy, perfect person to chat with to perk your spirits, and was very much a realist.  She sounds so familiar? ;)

 I love her for the person she was and miss her favorite way to end a call or letter--"I love you BEST".  It breaks my heart that we couldn't have had more time together in this lifetime, but I remain grounded knowing she has received a new body and has been welcomed home with a big hug from Jesus himself.  What a beautiful feeling that must be, to not be sick anymore.  She has a new-found radiance that Oil of Olay can't hold a candle to.   I'm certain that she will probably be one of the first people I see when I get to heaven and I can't wait for that overdue hug.

The fiance to the late Heath Ledger, Michelle Williams, stated in an interview that after Heath's death, she has begun to look at life through the lens that sees everything as impermanent.  She dedicates her thoughts to focus on what really matters now; and it puts the trivial matters of life in the shadows.  I think sometimes I get numb to the everyday regularity and need someone to come along and snap their fingers and say, "Wake up!"  I will confess that I have gotten lazy.  When I was in college, I kept up a house, worked 2-3 jobs, and felt the satisfaction of really going for what I wanted or needed to.  Now, I am getting motion sickness from my mundane 9-5, M-F life; time is seriously spinning out of control before me and I'm very dizzy.

I woke up on November 4.  I sat and thought, I do not want to taste the bitterness of disease; I am tired of not looking and feeling my best; I desire to have my full energies and ambitions restored.  I want to also look through a lens that sees everything as impermanent and for the time being on earth, want to enjoy every last drop of it.  I took a big step in the right direction and signed up with Beachbody to start my own fitness journey.  I will be starting  Turbo Fire workouts, using Shakeology to amp up my vitamins/minerals, and trying harder to lead a healthier lifestyle.

I can do this, for the sake of my health and happiness.  May the spirit that lives in my 3 aunts who have dealt with breast cancer abide in me so I can succeed at my goals. Fight to the finish line....

We don't have to know it all...

I am wide awake and wildly inspired by the book I just finished.  Tonight I read "Heaven Is For Real" by Todd Burpo.  It's an account of his sons' near-fatal medical surprise and the journey that this little three year old took to heaven.  He saw things that were incredibly inline with scripture.  He met his great grandfather that had passed almost thirty years before his birth.  He never knew his mother had a miscarriage, and met his sister in heaven.  He vividly described, over the course of a few years, meeting God, Jesus, the Angel Gabriel, John the Baptist, the angels singing, etc.  There is no way I could describe the feelings I felt while reading, but I do know that having read it gave me what my soul has been longing for, reassurance and solidarity in my faith.

I am in no way, shape or form the cookie cutter for Sainthood, but regardless, if anything has stuck with me in this world I will always freely say it is God--At the heights of my joy and the belly of my sorrow, He has been with me.  Although I know I have at times totally let him down,  I also know His love endures forever.  And tonight after reading this book, I actually sit in stillness.  I have such a peace and alertness about me. 

The book mentions a child prodigy artist, Akaine Kramarik, who at the age of four, started recording her "inspirations from God" onto paper into magnificent works of art.  Colton (the boy from the book I read) was asked for  a number of years to identify whether or not the pictures of Jesus really look like him.   He described his eyes as "beautiful"--well, he viewed Akaine's inspired portrait from her visions of Jesus, and he said, that's it.  That is the only picture in any form that Colton said yes, that is him.  ((Akaine also saw Jesus at a very young age.. I pasted the link below to an interview of her and her work done by CNN.))
Child prodigy--Paints her faith

I am wow'ed at the works put forth by such little hands and the accounts of such tremendous and wonderful sights seen by such little eyes.  Then it brings me back to the term "child-like faith".  Recall the phrase "Kids say the darndest things" and begin to think about some of the things you have heard kids say.  They really are the purest form of human being at a young age.  They believe in santa, the tooth fairy; they believe mommy's kisses really DO take the pain away, they say what's on their mind, and believe angels do exist.  As kids, we believed we could be whoever we wanted to be, we focused on getting as much as possible accomplished in our day as we could, and made it a point to be friends with everyone. Laughter filled the air, we chased eachother, and it seemed as though those days could last forever... Then we "grow up".  We have to work, pay bills, take care of people in our lives whether its kids, spouses, elderly, pets, etc. (ok, sorry pets aren't  people, but they are just as quirky!)  The limitless faith we once possessed is buried deep underneath concrete walls of ___,___, ____,____, ____,____,,,,(bitterness, greed, selfishness, stress, lack of time management, vanity, materialism, fatigue,.. etc)

What would happen if we all exercised "child-like faith" again?  what just might happen to our lives-within us and around us-if we would just let go of reasoning, analyzing, expecting, planning, regretting, hoping, and just--let it be what it is....  Somebody has a booger hanging out of their nose, or broccoli in their teeth, does a small child just let it go, or does it say, "Hey you have a booder on you!" ?  That boldness to live our lives--our unique, one of a kind, never can be emulated because there is only one of us lives--to the absolute childlike fullest everyday is the secret to life!  Faith Hill's song plays in my head everyday, pushing me to be content but also to appreciate life's little treasures...."The secret of life is a good cup of coffee, the secret of life is keep your eye on the ball, Rolling Stones and Mom's Apple Pie"..  The secret isn't no secret and you don't get your money back!

Life is short, there is no time to practice, there is no dress rehearsel... this is it...  The days we have to enjoy this life on earth is a grab bag, you never know when your breath is your last, but according to Colton if you know God, there's plenty to enjoy after we leave this earth.  But I say for now, rain or shine, there is something to indulge in and find complete pure joy in...

I am happy to know that I will get to see my favorite cat of all time, Allie, someday, beings all dogs do go to heaven, accd'g to Colton-- and I am also happy to know from his account, Jesus is the first person I will see when I get there.  I know Eric Clapton says there's no tears in heaven, but I may have to shed a few thank you ones once I finally meet my Father.  You are the best Dad a girl could ask for!

Thank you for loving me and reminding me that it's ok to take my "know it all" mask off and leave MY plans for my life aside, because we don't have to know it all to have faith.  Faith just is.

Our Father,
Who art in Heaven, hallowed be thy name,
thy will be done on earth as it is in heaven;
Give us this day our daily bread, and forgive
our tresspasses, as we forgive those that tresspass against us.
Lead us not into temptation, but deliver us from evil;
for Thine is Kindgom and the Power, and the Glory, forever and ever.
Amen.

xoxo, Kris

Dreamweaver... REO Speedwagon was onto something..

I confess I am a hopeless romantic.  There is no doubt about it.  Soft piano music stirs my emotions and puts me near tears.  Matthew McConaughey makes me swoon every time I watch "How to Lose a Girl in 10 Days" (yes, I've seen it prob a 100 times).  My college days included multiple boyfriends, lots of Julia Roberts movies, and 80's Ballads.  I am not afraid to say it, I love "love", prince charmings, dozens (plural, yes, you caught that) of roses, and breakfast in bed.  Massage my toes, kiss my nose, tell me all those sentimental things I want to hear; offer me champagne, a bubble bath, some wine--hold and caress me, forever be mine....

  See what happens when I get going!  I easily get pulled into Cupcake Land, where each girl has three best friends and everything from the movies isn't just human nature manipulation but it ACTUALLY happens!..yeah right.  I have come to the realization that either God forgot to add more estrogen to the male DNA or fairytales don't exist.  (Of course there are both sexes that are born with a little more of this and that so they become an exception to this, but just sayin...)

Emotions create a mirage in front of me.  Statistically, I see all the positives of a person or am very hopeful for the person one can become. Instead of seeing the cup as half empty, I see it as half full.  I am your golden retriever, so to speak.  Same with love-- I fall easy, I fall hard and I expect cupcake land to be a reality.  Reality is masked and buried beneath high hopes and lofty dreams. 

           Is everything I go through is brought upon me (whether good or bad) by the choices I make?  I wonder how differently things would be if I had used a realist approach to discern between "philos" or "agape" love and "eros" love. (Google 3 types of love).  I am wondering that if I have ever truly experienced "eros" love?  Or have I been blinded by facades, emotions, and fairytales?  Once the butterflies dissipate, what is left?  My recent self-discovery is that I may need to take more a realist approach when allowing people to be a part of my life. I need a decoder ring in my brain that allows me to decipher truth from falsity; short-term vs. long-term; reality vs. dreamy expectations, eros vs. philos, etc etc.

Is there hope for a hopeless romantic?  Will I ever feel content with love, friendship, MYSELF?  I peel back the layers of this onion and wonder what could possibly bring me happiness and joy.  Is it a who? Is it you? I hope to find whatever it is, to lift my soul and enlighten me.  Ready and waiting.  I am still hopeful that there is a place somewhere out there in this world for me.

Until next time, Kris xox

Finding pleasure in the pain?? Are you serious!?

 
My picture was recently featured on the cover of Good Housekeeping.  The story was about how to be a modern day 50's wife and how to lead an effortlessly happy life, with sidebar recipes on meatloaf, martinis, and mantras to practice while smiling at yourself in the mirror.  How do I look by the way? Perfectly primped, totally toned, AND wearing heels while baking banana bread---*Screeching brakes* Ok, I give up... I lied, that is not me at all, not even in the slightest bit.

I would like to get a little personal with you if you don't mind.  I am *unfortunately *fortunately an idealist to the core.  I have a strong ideation that we can virtually do or be whoever we want to be.  Of course, there is that tangled sticky web of predisposed chemicals called DNA, our resources, our attitudes towards our resources and life in general, and that little thing called education.   I truly believe we could educate ourselves to do or be whoever or whatever we want.  Takes effort, of course, and the relentlessness of an Albert Einstein or Benjamin Franklin.
 When I was in college, studying to be a teacher, I always had a tendency to push myself out of the confines of my comfort zone with assignments.  I had to come up with a social studies lesson plan to teach to my colleagues.  So what do I pick?  Microeconomics.  I had never once even spoke of the word, let alone could teach it.  But I taught myself what I needed to know and loved it. (foreshadowing--as I ended up transferring my senior semester to another school and getting into marketing)  I whooped that lesson in the booty and didn't have to use my lesson plan for reference, it just spewed from me like a golden river of knowledge (insert slightly goofy voice here, laughing).

During the past ten years of my life, I have been through an insane rollercoaster ride.  I look back, with whiplash, asking myself, "What happened?" :? I am reminded today during my devotions that life is not about the destination, it's about the journey.  Each and everyday I am given is up to me to enjoy to the fullest extent, come what may.  So hard to do!  We no longer live in a time where things come to us in black and white.  Culture has changed, society has changed, people have changed; as marketers keep squeezing every last idea on how to sling products, we end up standing in the cheese aisle for a half hour trying to just decide on CHEESE... I bet June Cleaver up there didn't have to swim thru a sea of heavily processed food and remain super educated on nasty chemicals to make an honest cheese purchase.   We live in a fully vivid, colorful, high definition world and it's no wonder my brain feels like a puddle of mush most days.

Time to break it down; Get back to basics in life.  Time to buckle in and allow the screaming rock concert around me to continue while I put in a set of earplugs and focus. There is a rapid downward spiral occuring around me and I feel the only way to find satisfaction is to be reminded that it's the little things that will do it, and stock up on earplugs. I have 186 friends on facebook, a husband, and a slightly disfunctional family.  There are many days where I feel like the lonliest person on the planet and I am exhausted from my day to day responsibilities.  Then, I open up my devotion and it says, Ecclesiastes 8:15, “So I commend the enjoyment of life, because there is nothing better for a person under the sun than to eat and drink and be glad. Then joy will accompany them in their toil all the days of the life God has given them under the sun.” (NIV).  This verse made me smile in relief instantly.  The gifts of life are not simply in the package itself, but in the joy that is able to be had enjoying what is inside of each day. 

I know it seems impossible somedays to find enjoyment in our jobs, home life, relationships, etc.  Trust me, I am right there with you, wishing there was an easy button and my house would be instantly spotless and my husband would for once be able to effectively communicate with me.  I haven't found such button, but if I look at the verse again I think it's telling me that there is only the button I install myself, to find something to smile about with each moment of my day and find pleasure in the daunting tasks (maybe redefining them too ;) of day to day life. 

Until next time,
xoxo

Where (or behind what) have I been hiding!?!?.....

The world's a roller coaster and I am not strapped in.

I apologize for leaving my blog hanging in space...I have been a busy, busy bee lately.  I am purely exhausted and feel it inside.  My soul is longing for yoga, but I can't get myself off my chair.  I can't seem to muster enough energy really even to write this blog.   But it's been far too long, so you ask where and/or behind what have I been hiding?

About four weeks ago, we were given an opportunity to really impact my youngest sibling and allow him to try school out where we live.  Initially, it was the husband's idea, which made me even more excited to try to help my brother out.   I have no children of my own and even being the oldest of four kids wasn't adequate preparation for the days ahead.  Long story cut short, things didn't work as planned and he will be returning home to receive the help he desperately needs. 

 I do have to say one thing--The heart is a tough muscle and I empathize with all the moms (especially the single moms) out there, who work ever so diligently for their families every day.  My short duration as "mom" messed up my sleep schedule, battered my emotions, cut into my social life (not that it really exists now days nor is this said with negative connotation), and naturally brought me to be completely selfless.  I walked around for a few weeks with a mask of strength and endurance, having to face some pretty painful experiences in the process, which to my family's privacy, I will not disclose.  All I have to say is that I don't know how you do it mom. I don't know if I am cut out for what you've done for the past 30 years of your life... ;)

As my heart aches it is as equally hopeful for the days to come.  Sometimes I look at the "stuff" going on in my life and tend to sit back and over-analyze the "who, what, WHY, why, WHY" about it rather than taking the "Don't let life take you, you take life" approach; or as I was gently reminded randomly one evening of the "Trust in my faith.God.Karma." approach.  Proverbs 3:5,6 states, " ⁵ Trust in the LORD with all your heart
and lean not on your own understanding; ⁶ in all your ways submit to him, and he will make your paths straight."   I take this as saying I have only a human brain--we use only 20% of its' capacity.  How in the world would I think that I am capable of "understanding" everything that goes on in this life? Just as this subtle nudge reminded me, I only know and comprehend so much.  I need to stick to what I am capable of and leave the rest to Him.

I really hope my inspiration crawls out from under the fatigue blanket soon.  My prayer for myself is that I will take a deep breath and try to remember my position in the world, that it's not my job to save it--that's already been done--but to spread positivity, love, and to take an occassional time out to recharge.

Until next time,

Namaste.  (The light in me, recognizes the light in you)

Looking behind the mask....

I have been motivated to blog for some time now; but didn't hop in the saddle and do it.  Writing has always been my favorite creative outlet.  They are words on a page; and if the person reading this finishes the entire entry, I have been able to "speak" for once without being interrupted...judged...made to feel incompetent...my blog is my personal soap box from which I can say whatever the .... I want.

Now that might have sounded fierce, but really it's not.  I am excited to take this opportunity to "silently" examine this great big, but not so big at the same time, world around me.  I am in the world but not a product of it, as I feel the downward spiral occurring rapidly towards all of those things that really do.not.matter.in.the.long.term.scheme.of.things.

This gentleman who greeted you as you opened up my page--yes, that one, with a big grin and Jack Sparrow mustache/goatee--is looking very happy today isn't he?  His skin tone may need a little help from my girls at Clinique, but overall, life is grand it would seem?!?  Welcome to my favoritist (yes, I did purposely say that) social theory.  In college, my group and I called it the social mask theory.  (see quote above by McGraw).  Each and every day, we all live behind a mask.  The world is one big production, a stage with bright lights, and orchestra, and we are merely it's little marionettes.  Dancing and smiling, being directed to and fro, all the while not truly feeling satisfied. 

What's behind your mask, may I ask?  When you take the jeweled, adorned, sparkling accessory off of your face, what do you see? Of course, none of us would ever remain unmasked in public, due to the fact that the production go on! Or does it?  Could we take our show to the next level-- Just a question that I have asked myself many a time, as I have been on my journey of trying live beyond the mask.

Thank you for joining me-See you next time, oxo