(43-290) Help Me, Help You

I've received some absolutely fabulous gifts in my lifetime, and I'm grateful for all of them; but I also find that it often really does feel better to give rather than to receive. If you’re familiar with me and “The Bumpy Ride,” then you know, I LOVE helping. I've mentioned before that I volunteer for everything from my kid's school classes to our soccer league board; and yet, I myself have a very difficult time asking friends for help or accepting assistance from others. Well the other day I had a bit of an epiphany, and I realized that sometimes we HAVE to let other people do things for us when they offer because if we don't, we are depriving them of the happy feeling that you get when you do something nice for someone else.

So there you have it, my lesson for the day; if you're someone who often offers to help others then you need to permit others the opportunity to go out of their way for you too. Here’s an example: Typically when my family goes home to Puerto Vallarta, we stay at my in-laws house and we give my mother-in-law money for groceries as she cooks our meals. Since Luis will be going to Vallarta on his own next Tuesday, we were discussing how much money he should give his mom for food. We settled on an amount, and I told Luis that if his mom declined the money, he should insist; however, if she still didn’t want to take the money then he should just thank her and accept her generosity, since I’m sure that it makes her feel good to take care of him when he’s there. We discussed how we think nothing of offering to help others but we typically don’t feel comfortable when people try to reciprocate. We usually try to decline friend’s offers of favors because we don’t want to put anyone out or seem like we’re taking advantage but the truth is, we always offer with the best intentions and the fullest hearts; so we should believe that our friends are doing the same.

I know so many people who are natural helpers, and who feel more comfortable doing for others than letting others do for them; but we ALL need to give and accept help or a random act of kindness from time to time. So maybe think of it this way; you're HELPING your friend feel good, when you allow them to help you.
I hoped that help!
Till next time...
Queen of EVERYTHING

(43-289) Harshing My Gig

So here's some more irony for you. The first line of tonight's post was going to be "So now that Blogger's up and running, I'm free to quote previous posts and provide links until my heart’s content." I was then going to refresh your memory about "Food Tidings," and bring you up to date on the meal that I brought to Mari and her family. However, for the second night in a row, Blogger is harshing my gig; only this time it's worse than before.

I sat down to write my post tonight, and found that once again Blogger was in read only mode due to maintenance; but this time, they didn't provide any time line as to when the problem might be solved, or when we'd be able to do more than read posts. Given this situation, the only thing that I could do to remain true to my promise to write a post a day; is WRITE my post for Thursday, May 12, 2011 and publish it as soon as Blogger would allow.

If you’ve been following “The Bumpy Ride,” then you may recall that a couple of weeks ago I told you that Mari's 18 year old daughter had been in the hospital and that I signed up (through Foodtidings.com) to bring a meal to her family. Well, tonight was finally my night and I am delighted to announce that Mari herself was able to enjoy the dinner that I'd prepared; as her daughter was discharged from the hospital this afternoon and they went home.
Although her daughter's road to recovery will be a long one; we are all thrilled that she has returned home to recuperate. Thank you so much to all of you who said a prayer for Mari and her family.

Now if you’re anything like me, then I know that you’ll want to know what I made for dinner; and since I aim to please, I’ll tell you. I thought I’d keep it simple and I went for one of my kid’s faves since I was going to be serving them the same thing. I prepared baked rigatoni with ground beef and mozzarella cheese. I brought them fixings for a salad, inclusive of a garlic Caesar salad kit, an extra bag of Romaine lettuce, a bag of shredded carrots and a can of black olives. I also brought a warm loaf of French bread; and it was a hit with both families.

Prior to visiting Mari and her daughter in the hospital, I felt helpless. I felt like I was failing my friend because there was nothing that I could do to comfort her or make things easier for her. Once I got myself to the hospital for a visit, I felt a little more useful; but finally preparing dinner for them really made me feel like I had made a difference; even if just in a small way.
Till next time...
Queen of EVERYTHING

(43-189) Just Like The Turtle

Just as I've promised in the past, that "The Bumpy Ride" is not becoming an all scrapbooking blog, an all soccer blog, an all politics blog, an all feet blog; (I know; I can't believe that's something that I've actually had to promise; but there had been quite a few posts about my feet; so I felt that I had to provide assurances at the time, that there would be other topics in the near future;) but I digress.  Yes, I know; I digress a lot; hence the name "The BUMPY Ride."  Anyway, in addition to all of the things I've assured you were not becoming the main focus of my blog; you can now add to the list, quotes; as I promise that this is not becoming an all quotes blog; BUT, (you knew there was a but, didn't you?)  BUT, today I took a quick look at quotes to find one for my Facebook status, and in no time, I found one that made A LOT of sense to me; so I posted, "Behold the turtle. He makes progress only when he sticks his neck out."
- James Bryant Conant

I have to tell you, in case you don't already know;  I am one who is CONSTANTLY sticking their neck out.  And,  though it's sad to say; I'm starting to question if I can endure the criticism and trouble that I all too often experience, when doing so.  Well earlier today I would have replied "NO," to that question.  I felt beat down.  I felt frustrated.  I felt sad, I second guessed myself and I was anxious; very anxious; and I thought to myself "this isn't worth it."   I thought "maybe it's time for someone else to volunteer.  For someone else to subject themselves to being misunderstood when they had nothing but the best intentions;" BUT; that's just not me.  It's my nature to help.  As difficult as things can be made for me; is as much as I feel the need to provide assistance when it's needed; and that's why, being reminded about the turtle sticking its neck out, had such a profound affect on me.

So, just like the turtle; I will continue on my path.  I will be true to myself; but I will also tread a lot more cautiously, a lot more carefully; a lot more quietly; and I will learn from each experience.
Till next time...
Queen of EVERYTHING

(43-24) ExposureQuest

Exposure, Exposure, Exposure; that's what's on my mind today.  I don't just want to write; I want to be READ and so in accordance with my mission this year; I need to get myself a lot more EXPOSURE.  Interestingly enough, I'm a pretty good sales person; but the one thing that I don't seem to be able to sell, is myself.  It's not for lack of confidence, for although I am not exuding it; I really do believe in myself; or I couldn't do this at all.  Instead my downfall is my lack of knowledge.  Marketing is not my thing, not because I can't; just because I truly don't know where to start.  I'm a little embarrassed to admit that I'm still not that internet savvy and I get really frustrated when trying to do research; so all in all I'm not a lot of help to myself in the gettin this done department.
I've signed up for the Creative Connection email, I've tried Networked Blogs, and I've just joined Mommy Blogs; but I definitely need some tutorials on how to navigate these sites so that I can make the most out of them.  Hopefully these ventures will help me to increase my readership and further my career; but I KNOW it's going to take A LOT more than that.  So, I'm going to do something that I RARELY do and ask for your help.  Asking for help is NOT easy for me; but I'm THAT determined to change my path and fulfill my destiny.  So here goes... Anyone can help me in my ExposureQuest; so PLEASE, if you enjoy reading "The Bumpy Ride," recommend me to a friend, (or six...)  Let me know if you know a person or website that you think may be helpful, or hook a sistah up; if by chance you know someone in the know who might be able to help me with visibility.  If YOU believe in me and have some time and you want to help me market myself I'd be thrilled to hear from you; just leave me a comment or send me an email at AsktheQOE@gmail.com.  And if none of these things apply; then please just know how thankful I am that YOU read "The Bumpy Ride;" and that you like it.
Till next time...
Queen of EVERYTHING