(43-240) New York Bound

I was so excited to tell you about starting my new job the other day; that I didn't share my other, equally exciting news.  If you've been joining me on "The Bumpy Ride" for a while, then you may recall that the ball got rolling on my New York trip after I had posted that my cousin Jackie and I wanted to go to Las Vegas to see "Mamma Mia."  Shortly after making this announcement, I came to find out that "Mamma Mia" was no longer playing in Las Vegas; and my wonderful friend Rachel S, suggested that I could come to New York to see it since it's still playing there.

After Rachel put the bug in my ear, I knew that I was New York bound.  I asked my daughter Lyndzi and my cousin Jackie, to join me on this adventure, so that we could celebrate my 44th birthday.  I knew that our trip wouldn't be complete without seeing "Mamma Mia" on Broadway, and onTuesday, thanks to my amazing friends Big V and Rachel S, our tickets were purchased for the Sat. July 30th matinee.  WOOHOO!!!  Obtaining those tickets was like watching poetry in motion.  There were numerous emails that were exchanged very quickly, between Big V, Rachel and I; as Big V raced against the clock to purchase discounted tickets with great seats.  Via text, I was able to get in touch with all of my friends who were interested in tickets and in no time at all; Big V had sealed the deal. I can't believe it!!  If anyone would have told me a couple of months ago, that I'd be going to New York this summer, and going to see "Mamma Mia,"  on Broadway, I never would have believed it.  But now, in just 127 days, I'll be there.  God willing.

Everything about our trip is shaping up very nicely; and I really can't wait to go.  I find it very interesting that I didn't know how badly I wanted to visit New York, until I started planning everything.  I guess that's just part of self preservation.  Since I knew that my family didn't have the time or the money to make a trip to New York, I never thought about doing so. I didn't allow myself to want something that I thought I couldn't have.  But as soon as the opportunity presented itself; I realized how important it really is to me.

Planning this trip has given me the opportunity to reconnect with friends that I haven't seen in far too long.  I feel extraordinarily blessed, that so many of my friends want to spend time with me; and and I can't wait to hug each and every one of them.

Time is just flying by now, and I feel like I'm in the homestretch.  My future is waiting for me right at the finish line; and I can't think of a better way to move forward, than to go back to where I began.
Till next time...
Queen of EVERYTHING

(43-105) "To Thine Own Self Be True"

#58 of my "100 MORE Random Things About Me" list, was "I don't think that you should do something to make someone else happy; if it won't make you happy."  Now this is not to say that you shouldn't do a favor for someone; cause gosh knows I do more than my share of favors; but a favor should be something that you don't mind doing.  What I'm referring to in number 58, is allowing someone else's feelings, requests and desires to override yours.  Sacrificing what you believe is in your best interest, so that someone else won't be disappointed.

The reason that I'm writing more about #58 tonight, is because it seems timely.  I've actually had 2 different conversations since that post a few days ago; and we've addressed exactly this topic.  Last night, a friend and I were  discussing doing something that we didn't want to do, in order to spare someone else's feelings; and I said something to the effect of "we never know what day is going to be our last; and we shouldn't waste time doing things that we don't want to do."  Time is not guaranteed and if I really thought that this 43rd year was going to be my last on this earth; I wouldn't want to waste a minute, doing anything that wasn't meaningful to me.  Well, of course I choose not to believe that this will be the last year of my life; but since we never know these things, then I think that we owe it to ourselves to put ourselves first; (just in case.)  

Now let's be clear... I'm NOT talking about NOT compromising; because of course I'm a huge proponent of compromise. I'm a wife, I'm a Mom, I'm a friend; and I compromise all the time.  And, I'm not talking about deliberately hurting someones feelings; because you KNOW that I go out of my way to take care of other people and make them feel good. BUT, what I am talking about is being true to yourself, valuing your time, and politely declining invitations or requests that don't appeal to you.  You don't need to be cruel or rude about it; but it also shouldn't stress you out to turn someone down.  It's just like I wrote in "Nothing Much,"  "not everyone is for everyone;" and it should also be said that not every situation is for everyone.  You can care for someone but not want to attend a certain function; and even though that person might WANT you to attend; their want doesn't supercede your needs.  And as I wrote in "The Dirty Word;" no one is going to die because they were told no.  This is all a part of achieving your own (say it with me) "Greater Good."

Sometimes people mistake assertiveness for rudeness; but I assure you that they don't have to be one in the same.  You can assert yourself, and look out  for yourself, but still treat people kindly when doing so.  Hence I'm definitely not recommending rudeness; I'm merely advocating that you appreciate and preserve yourself because this is YOUR life and you don't want to waste a precious minute of it. 

To quote Shakespeare's "Hamlet," "To thine own self be true."  and the rest of the quote is  “And it must follow, as the night the day, Thou can not then be false to any man.”  Which in a nutshell means, unless we can be true to ourselves first, we cannot be true to others.  So in order to be our best for others, we must first be best (or, do what's best) for ourselves. 
Till next time...
Queen of EVERYTHING