Skinny Thursday

What I know is . . .Thursday tends to be an extremely significant day when it comes to DIETING.
It's the day when all the salad I made for "the week" begins to wilt, fast-food coupons come in the mail. Suddenly, it becomes a crap shoot whether I'll allow the boys to order pizza or make a puny batch of boiled chicken.
I'm sure none of you can relate to hugely important topic of weight loss. (No pun intended)
Me? It''s been a life-long battle I'm currently losing. Someone I love suggested instead of staying miserable,
 I Do Something About It-
Instead of running to the pantry and inhaling a six-pack of Pop-Tarts in retaliation, I put my sneakers on, went for a walk,read my daily devotion and sat down at the computer to work on my book series.
These are the three simple things I know hold the key to balance in my life.
Guess what? I FEEL BETTER. So, if I KNOW this....then????
Someone else invited me and a girlfriend to attend a new Overeaters Anonymous group.
While I'm sure we'll never go, I love what she said, and I quote...
"SUGAR IS MY HEROIN."
 Well, if that's true lady, then watch out Little Debbie, my longtime Dealer -
I'm calling the Police!

The Journey to Peace is a Tricky One

It's 1997. My Tibetan Buddhist name is Sama Sarika. Sama means Peace; how appropriate that my Monk, Sarika, chose the name for me - a young woman desperate for peace at any cost. In the past year, I've taken a very important step in my journey, I've completed the first Seven Precepts of Engaged Buddhism. Afterwards, I was awarded a beautiful Lotus Leaf from Sri-Lanka, blessed when chosen special for me.
Tonight, I'm going to see The Dalai Lama (fourteenth) who is visiting Los Angeles! I spent weeks choosing the right outfit, my nails are perfect, my hair recently high-lighted (shocker, yes I color my hair).
I'm bringing my hardback copy of The Art of Happiness just in case there's time for a book signing.

I look in the mirror before I leave my Hollywood Bungalow and wonder....if this is it? Will this be night I find Peace and Happiness? Surely all the sacrifice and meditation will pay off this evening - Won't it?

Fast forward to 2012, His Holiness the Fourteenth Dalai Lama is visiting San Diego for the first time.
This time, I have no need to attend.
I no longer have to prepare physically to "go see" my GOD for He is right here with me in my heart.
He meets me every morning in my fuzzy pink socks and Angry Bird nightgown and accepts me just the way I am. He is omnipotent and doesn't need to fly in to visit me or anyone else. His name is Jesus Christ and he has been THE ONE who finally delivered Peace and Happiness to my life.

The Island of Squandered Blessings

I'm ashamed to admit how many times I've been given an opportunity, only to lose interest and wander off onto something else entirely. It's not that I'm ungrateful mind you, I just get distracted by something newer, shinier, sparkly even. "Ohhhh... glitter...aahhh and just like that, I've squandered another blessing.
Yesterday in the face of all things lovely, I chose instead to solidify my God-given purpose and recommit to finishing my first book Saving Savannah. I was so tempted to dive headfirst into another spectacular venture while worthwhile, untimely.
I imagined an Island of Squandered Blessings that I literally needed thigh-high wader-boots to trudge through and just-like-that I GOT IT!
My desire to please God starts with a continued alignment to today's blessing, only then will I be available for his next purpose in my life.
All that shiny stuff out there glistening I see for what it is today; a mirage on the Island of Squandered Blessings.

Butterball Hot-line

Today daughters everywhere are picking up the phone and calling their Mothers. Not just to say "Hello," mind you, but to ask questions about their Turkey Dinner. No matter how many times we have made a green bean casserole, there is a certain level of assurance that you just can't find on the back of a can of Campbell's Soup. I must have called my Mom five or six times to ask questions I most likely already knew the answer to. It just sounded better coming from her. Why, my husband even called his mom to find out how to make her delicious deviled eggs. Even though I was waving a bottle of Paprika in his face, he still wanted his Mama to tell him "what that red stuff is" you sprinkle on the top.
The precious moms that decorate the heavens are called upon via butter-soaked recipe cards and worn-thin cookbooks passed down for such a time as this. Sisters and Aunts step in to fill the gap when part of a recipe-puzzle goes missing. No matter how grown we are we still need that special voice to walk us through Turkey Dinner.
So thank you to all of the Operators on the Butterball Hot-line . . . . we couldn't have pulled off dinner without you.

STEALING SAVANNAH

The semi-permanent nature of my life is a press-on tattoo that stays with my body temporarily, just when I think it’s a welcome part of me it cracks and fades, peeling away layer by layer. The truth inside of me is written on a flimsy piece of onion skin paper that disintegrates under pressure of pen.

                                                                                        Stealing Savannah

                   Acknowledging our TRUTH shortens the journey
                                from the Pit to the Palace.

Saving San Diego

One of these days I’m going to have my own money to spend any way I like.

There has got to be a day coming where it doesn’t cost a pound of flesh to have my needs met.  I’m not always going to be like this you know.

Someday . . . my life is going to matter. I just hope someone remembers that it did.
                                                                          Saving Savannah

Last night I had the privilege of attending the volunteer training for GENERATE HOPE, San Diego's
 amazing program for women who have been involved in Human Trafficking and Sexual Exploitation.
So many women joined together, their hearts swollen with compassion and a desire to help our cities most vulnerable. I applaud the ladies in attendance who endured the sad, uncomfortable truth about the underbelly of this fine city.
It takes courage to get involved, to stand up for what's right; most find it easier to simply look away.
Seated at the large table of women, I worried they could see the word "Trafficked!" still stamped on my forehead. I have to be careful in settings like these, not to let shame creep back in and destroy all I have overcome. 
By meetings end I was able to hold my head up high, the faded brands of days-gone-by were forgotten.
I hope someone was able to see my new label "Victorious Survivor" as I walked away.

WAIT.......I HAVE A COUPON FOR THAT!

Yes, it's true. I'm one of THOSE people. I use coupons for EVERYTHING: groceries, dog food, pedicures, fast food, frozen yogurt, shampoo, dentists (not recommended), laundry detergent, even christian apparel.
And points! You gotta love accumulating points for everyday purchases. Bonus! On average I save between 10-30% on everything we buy. (loud applause...hello! That's ALOT!)
My husband,  feckless free-spending hunk that he is... DOES NOT.
Before you go there, I am NOT CHEAP. I just love to get a bargain...plus I have to balance out what Mr. Money is spending!
Because God is so hilarious, my husband and I just began a finance study at our church called the Good Samaritan. Six blissful weeks on budgeting. The funny part is, I let him think it was HIS idea, and so far it's really working!
Putting our finances down on paper, I realized something kinda groovy. The only thing "free" and without rules or an expiration date is our SALVATION. I mean,what if we had to clip a coupon to receive God's Grace? What if you needed 10,000 points to redeem God's mercy? And gasp... what if the coupon expired before you repented? Yikes!
Having a relationship with Christ is a beautiful thing. His goodness is never-ending, his direct prayer line is toll-free and we can worship Him all day long....without a coupon.