Finding Mr. Right...online

So I have recently realized that I need to get out and start meeting people. After my hiatus, the extrovert in me has been ready to get out and meet some new people. Considering my current situation this is virtually impossible. Think about it... I work full time from home, I care for my daughter the rest of my day, I attend the same family ward I grew up in and aside from the park and the grocery store...that's it! Like I said, meeting new people is virtually impossible.

So I have made the decision to go....online. Were it not for several friends with success stories, I would have never done this, but let's face it, what other options do I have? I started doing this around the beginning of July and it's been an interesting month, to say the least. I've been approached by some interesting characters. One of the first people to contact me sent me the link to this YouTube video. http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=h4Ok-ENnqn Q I wish I could let you view the video right here, but I can't. So please click on it. Let's just say, I was a little creeped out. Did I respond? Not to mention the guy was 20 years my senior. You're not robbing this cradle Mr!! CREEPY.

Stay tuned for more of my online dating experiences... and please share your own if you have them!

Hiatus

Hiatus: an interruption in time or continuity.

As many of you have noted, I have been on a blogging hiatus for over a year. It's been a stressful year with lots of changes in our family. I thought pretty much everyone knew, but I have recently discovered that many of you didn't know, but I am now divorced. Without going into the gory details of it all, it will suffice to say that there were issues we were unable to resolve and as a result, separation was the best option. Nothing more really needs to be said about it, other than I have felt a great deal of peace come from this decision and I have great hope for a future filled with opportunities.

Not only have I taken a hiatus from blogging, but I have also taken a hiatus from life. After my divorce I threw myself into work and life and did everything to busy myself and stay distracted from the reality of my situation. I didn't know how to deal with it and so I wasn't. I was avoiding it. It was about March when felt this overwhelming need to stop. I stopped doing anything extra in my life--No second job, no extra activities, no pressure, no demands. Everything needed to stop. It was made pretty clear to me that I had been on a path that would only lead to more heart ache, if I didn't stop and address the issues of my heart. I needed to stop avoiding and start looking at myself and who I am.

Long story short, this has been the best thing I have ever done for myself. It's been amazing to me how much better I function as a human being when my my needs are met and I feel like I have honored myself. Learning to honor ourselves is such a hard thing. We are giving by nature and I think it's easy to give everything we have and every moment of our day to those around us, but the down side to that is that we are left empty. I don't like the word empty, which is probably why I'm a "glass is half full" kind of girl. I don't' ever want to feel "empty". I have had to ask myself many times, "what can I do today that will honor me?" Answering that question for me has meant things like making time to eat right, practicing Yoga on a consistent basis, and making time for sincere prayer. Also, I have had a great desire to connect with the people around me more. I feel energized when I am around others. Even people I don't know or won't talk to, but there is an energy that I get from even going to the store. It's a strange thing that's hard to explain, but I need to be near others. Their energy feeds mine. All of these needs have evolved and I am continuing to figure out how much and how often I need these things in my life. I am a rough draft that keeps getting worked over. Hopefully someday I can become the masterpiece God intends me to be.

I want to hear from you--my 3 followers!! How do you honor yourself? I'd love to hear what you do that renews your mind, body and spirit.

Easter Egg Obsession

For Easter we staged a little easter egg hunt for Lucy in our apartment. She LOVED it!! She opened each egg over and over again hoping there would be something inside each time. This was the first holiday she's really gotten excited about. To this day, she still goes nuts when she sees an easter egg!

Meditation

So lately I've been on what one might call a personal journey. I haven't "arrived" anywhere yet, but I'm definitely still "in-route" (if you will). My life, like many of yours has gotten increasingly busy, stressful and ridiculously crazy. Throughout all of this I have been striving to find something to calm me and give my mind a break, but also to help me feel more grounded. I was at a convention recently where they discussed the benefits of personal meditation. I really tuned in to the idea that in order to "become one" with yourself, or in other words, to listen to what your spirit and your body are telling you, you must take time to silence every all the chaos around you(including your mind) and just be. I don't know. I can't really explain it, but something about that just really hit home to me. I was thinking about where I go to meditate and where I can feel inner peace, and the Temple is the first place that popped in my mind. Enjoy this picture I took during Christmas time. As the journey continues I'll keep you informed on how it's going.

Ouuu-mmmmmmmmm,

Melissa

FORGIVE!!!

I know this entry is going to STUN some of you, but yes, we are still alive! I have been so busy that blogging has gotten pushed to the bottom of the totum pole (if you know what I mean). I have to begin by thanking those of you who do periodically check my blog to see if I did by chance post any new or exciting things-- and I am very sorry that I have diappointed you so many times. Please forgive.