Was today typical?

Interesting question. The day is just getting started! I will update you tonight if it remains typical and document my day. So far, so good… very typical morning.

How would you describe yourself to someone?

What setting am I in? I think that is important. I believe we convey a lot about ourselves through our attire and grooming, even without words. I hope people can see past my skin color to find a youthful, middle-aged, put-together, proud, adventurous, tough, loved, happy, and brave individual because that is who I am.

Dogs or cats?

I grew up with cats. I had one named Joy white paws. She was gray with, you guessed it, white paws. I wanted a best friend, and since we moved a lot and it was the 80s, a pet was the closest thing to a close companion. I wanted her to cuddle with me, but she flat-out refused. She wasn’t fixed, so she always longed for the outdoors. She always gave me itchy eyes. I later found out I was allergic to cats. Despite being soft and pretty, she was ultimately a wild animal, driven by food and mating.

When I moved out of my parents’ house, I wanted a pet to keep me company, so I chose a Pomeranian who I named Copper. I chose Copper because he was small like a cat. Copper would do anything to be by my side. He was like a jealous lover, hiding my phone so I would spend time with him, stealing my clothes, and sleeping with them. If he did something wrong and it upset me, he was generally remorseful. Cats just are not like that, a cat does what it wants without consequence. Cats remind me of Rolling Stone. Put a plate out and leave a light on, and they’ll be back when they need something. They might come when you call, might not. Leash? Please! Cats don’t know how many kids they truly have. They’ll bite and hit you. They’ll destroy your things. They only love you when they need something.

In my 20s, I went from having a lap dog to a large dog in my late 30s when I was in desperate need of a lifestyle change and depressed. I knew a large dog would be a great companion. This time, I adopted a female named Rey. Despite my worries that I would not be able to provide the best life possible for her due to my own chaotic life, I have cared for her like she was a queen. I have reconsidered my stance on cats and wanted to add one to my household after dating a cat owner. One of the cats is pretty awesome, but the other one will destroy property if it doesn’t get its way. I still believe in cats, but I will choose a dog over a cat any day.

What do you think gets better with age?

A memory gets better with age. An ordinary event can become charming, then with time it’s embellished, eventually becoming sacred and almost holy. Negative memories can also change, often becoming exaggerated or rationalized. The past is either vilified or justified. Memories have a tendency to be distorted and categorized as a product of an era, the good old days, history, explained away, and sensationalized. I wish we didn’t have to embellish our memories, but I think that it’s part of how memories survive.

What strategies do you use to increase comfort in your daily life?

Reflecting on this post prompt, I realized that true comfort is not solely dependent on money. The Bible scripture John 14:16 reminds me that the Holy Spirit is a comforter, Someone that alleviates distress. Something I need desperately now.

To cultivate a sense of comfort in my daily life, I engage in conversations with God, friends, and even myself. I also find solace in aromatic incense, meditation music, and being productive. By shifting my focus away from material possessions, I can create a more profound sense of comfort and fulfillment.

What are you most excited about for the future?

I am thrilled to apply my life experiences, both positive and negative, to the future. I have been hurt and have hurt others badly. I reflect on these experiences and know that I have two choices: to win or lose. While I cannot change the past, the best part is that it is gone, and all I have left are the memories of others and scars. How I utilize these memories will determine my future, which can be either the best or the worst imaginable… I have chosen not to let my past be a burden.

What’s your definition of romantic?

I believe in authentic expressions of pleasure in your significant other, stemming from the creative depths of the soul.

How do you express your gratitude?

As a child, gratitude was expressed with a thank you, a hug, a smile, or perhaps a squeal of excitement. Now, it is expressed with tears. Every true gift is a sacrifice, every true gift has a price, sometimes both giver and recipient pays it. Tears.

How important is spirituality in your life?

Spirituality is immensely important. I feel there is a cognitive dissonance between the particular type of spirituality I ascribe to and my practice of it. It resonates in my soul as hypocrisy. This is not to be confused with reconciling with those who say they practice it. The disappointing self-awareness of my faith I feel stays with me, too; almost like it is evidence of my belief system when it truly is not. However, being spiritually aware seems like a gift as so many are not. So, I have to delve deeper to discern what is true spirituality. I do this because I believe in what I cannot see. I also believe in cause and effect, sowing and reaping, and the influence of celestial and terrestrial bodies.