Is it audacity? Is it perversion? Is it boredom with their own lives? What is it exactly that makes Republicans—and specifically Christian Republicans—think they can legislate what happens in our uteri? Or in our bedrooms?

It’s NUNYA: none of your friggin’ business.

Would any of our rights be threatened IF it weren’t for people sticking their noses where they don’t belong?

“There’s your business, my business, and God’s business,” writes Byron Katie in her book Loving What Is. Ironically, the book is about accepting what can’t be changed, and instead, changing your perspective to be okay with what is. Katie uses a method she calls “the work” to help people understand why they are emotionally triggered, and she talks them through the mental barriers to help them learn and grow.

Right now, the whole damned Republican party needs to do a Byron Katie workshop. I want to know WHY Republicans think what happens with my body is any of their business. It’s not!

There’s your business, my business, and God’s business.

Your rights end where my body begins. And, you do NOT know God’s business. (I don’t care how often you reference the Bible or go to church, you’re not God and you do not know.)

Of course, these people understand the concept. They are the same people who cried MY BODY MY CHOICE when it came to wearing a mask. “Freedom,” they say. “Keep the government out of it,” they whine.

Where is the logic?! Where is the reason?! How can they not equate one with the other?

Because it’s not about freedom; it’s about power and control over women’s bodies.

Roe v Wade has been settled precedent for 50 years. I’m not willing to concede its overturning by a partisan Supreme Court established by a corrupt president.

I do not accept “what is” in this situation. Instead of changing my perspective, I’m working to change the Court.

First—it’s not done yet! It’s time to don the pussy hat and take to the street. It’s time to write and call the Senators. If SCOTUS does overturn Roe v Wade, it’s time to put money and time behind pro-choice candidates, knock on doors, and help turn out voters in November.  

Republicans will not stop with regulating our uteruses. The right to use contraception and to love and marry who we want are the next on their hit list.

Why? Because they have their friggin’ noses where they don’t belong.

Republicans, focus on your own damned body—and leave mine alone!

#LoquaciousLindee

Need a Christmas or holiday gift? Buy and give Penzeys Spices and help save Democracy! I kid you not.

Penzeys Spices is doing more than manufacturing and providing tasty, quality seasonings, they are sharing their positive, inclusive, hopeful message on social media. In addition, they are actively buying Facebook ads to help combat the onslaught of Trump’s lies. So far, Penzeys has invested around $100,000 on Facebook ads. That may seem like a lot, but compared to the $1 MILLION/week Trump is spending to poison our minds, it’s barely a pinch.

All of my family and friends are getting mini box sets because a large portion of the proceeds are going to fight Trump. My favorites are the Soul, Kind, and Vote gift boxes. Just read the description for the Soul Box and I’m sure you’ll agree, Penzeys spices are good for heart, mind, body, and spirit.

Buy Penzeys Spices!

Once you do your holiday shopping at penzeys.com, go follow Penzeys on Facebook and the other social platforms. They often write about the damage Donald Trump is doing to the planet and its people. They often call out the injustices of the Trump Administration and they’re asking us to get involved.

If all companies were as conscientious as Penzeys, the world would be a much better place. Unfortunately, the all mighty dollar is what drives most companies. Mark Zuckerberg and Facebook I’m talking about you! Therefore, we MUST support the companies that call out the cruelty and criminality of Donald Trump, and Penzeys does that. 

And, in the meantime, while they fight against social injustices, Penzeys encourages each of us to do what we can to fix our own small worlds. For many of us, that starts at home, over dinner. Show your family how much you care. Spice up their lives with Penzeys Spices.

#LoquaciousLindee

Suicide Hotline, 800 273-8255, Trigger Alert!
If you are suffering, call the Suicide Hotline: 800 273-8255

It’s okay to kill yourself, is the theme of A Star is Born movie.

And what a kick in the teeth it is. It’s okay to kill yourself IF you love someone enough and you’re afraid you’ll damage their career. What the fuck?! Who produced this? Was it Bradly Cooper and Gaga? Or are they just the ones that perpetuated—YES, PERPETUATED THAT guilt trip: IF you love someone enough, it is NOT okay to kill yourself! They are NOT better off without you! THAT’s the LIE depression and especially that suicidal voice in your head will tell you. ‘It’s okay to commit suicide and leave the planet because those around you would be better without you.’ And that just isn’t true.

The movie A Star is Born is telling that story.

And I don’t remember that in the original with Barbra Streisand and Kris Kristofferson. John Norman does indeed die in the end, but it’s a car crash. HE DIDN’T HANG HIMSELF for fucks sake. He died a tragic death, but not at his own hand. At the hand of fate, or God, or the Universe, whatever you believe. If that was the message intended, that he crashed his car on purpose, I guess I missed that in the remake of the musical remake of the original. If you’re interested, google “A Star Is Born wiki.” I’ll have to go back and watch the end of the other movie. Maybe it did end that way. And if so, maybe THAT’s when I was conditioned to believe that my family, my kids would be better off without me.

I’ve had those thoughts, twice in my life. They were dark, low spots. And I was truly convinced I was hurting those around me by being me. I had shrinks telling me I was bipolar and that I wasn’t all right. I don’t remember anyone telling me I was mentally ILL, but they put me on lithium. Yes, One-Flew-Over-The-Cookoo’s-Nest lithium. I turned into a zombie, my own personal version of the walking dead. I did that for two weeks, but my spirit bust loose and through the haze. I KNEW there was more for me to do than trudge through life in a big-pharma-induced coma. I told the Doctor I WOULDN’T be taking drugs. At least not THAT drug. Today, I use natural cures and exercise and a whole lot of yoga to combat depression, and that nasty little gremlin in my head that says others would be better off without me? That little fucker is gone. I know my family needs me, and I’m here for the long haul. On fate, God and the Universe’s good graces.

I’m here to say, don’t kill yourself. Whatever you are going through WILL eventually be okay, because if it’s not okay, it’s not the end. Maybe that’s a warped philosophy to many. For me it’s been proven again and again in my life. There’s also your business, my business, and God’s business. I didn’t say we’d each necessarily see the happy ending in this lifetime; that might happen from the other side. That’s God’s business. It’s a mystery. It’s thee mystery. And someday I’ll know. Someday, we’ll all know. Until then, I’ll tend to my own business—and yours! If you’ll let me. I’m here with an ear. There are many of us. And we need you to do your part. You need to speak-up. Talk! And since I’m not available 24-hrs a day, the angels at the Suicide Hotline are, and they are ready to help:

 800 273-8255

I guess Bradly Cooper never got that message. He should have called.

I was disappointed in A Star Is Born. And I was angered. Cooper and Gaga were awesome together, but creepy after. The song “Shallows” was overplayed. Watching them together made me really uncomfortable. It was weird. Thumbs down. I give it one star. I hated it. I hated everything having to do with it, the remake. It reminds me of the darkest part of myself and my many lives.

Life is hard. And it hurts sometimes.

But. It is also precious! And life is a gift! And having kids, friends, a partner, a passion, a purpose, and a job make the hard times bearable, because tomorrow IS another day: another chance to get it right. IF you don’t buy into the LUDICROUS THOUGHT THAT THE ONES YOU LOVE WOULD BE BETTER OFF WITHOUT YOU.

That’s pure bullshit.

That’s what THIS star says.

#LoquaciousLindee

P.S. Why Worry when you can Wonder. Read more…

Live without pretending, love without depending, listen without defending, speak without offending.

Live without pretending.

I grew up on a dairy farm in Iowa. Staring at the back end of a Holstein and shoveling what came out was a daily occurance. That’s about as authentic as you can be. It wasn’t until my 30s that I adopted a new phrase: Fake it ‘til you make it. I first heard it when I joined Mary Kay Cosmetics. Meaning, envision who you want to be, and pretend you are that until you become that. Pretending was encouraged and a way to “visualize” a brighter future. I did that for years…until I returned to my true authentic self. Today, I’m just me, not pretending to be something I’m not.

Love without depending.

We’re taught that love is a two-way street; that’s what a relationship is—a never-ending circle of give and take, each person giving to and depending on the other. But is that really what love is? Isn’t the real challenge to love without expectation of love in return? Especially when you don’t agree?

Listen without defending.

Conflict is uncomfortable, especially with someone you love. The challenge is to fully listen to them—even when you want to defend your point of view. Most people are simply waiting for the other person to stop speaking before they add their “two cents.” It’s in these moments, most especially, that we have to keep quiet and let another person express their views. Even when there is no solution in sight, listening is the key to moving the relationship forward.

Speak without offending.

If you can’t say something nice, then don’t say anything at all. That’s Mom logic and advice I heard often growing up. That philosophy fit for a long time…like the fake-it-til-you-make-it mantra. … And, I think that’s the reason I’ve fallen back into pretending. I am NOT happy with the state of the world. I don’t trust Donald Trump or the Republicans to govern. They are absolutely trampling on human rights: brown people, black people, women, Vets, the lgbtq community–and the planet! There are atrocities being perpetrated on the American people and especially immigrants, and because I don’t want to say anything offensive, I find myself not saying anything at all. Given our current political climate and state of affairs, this is no longer an option!!

It’s time to step up and speak out—even if you can’t be kind. If you have conflicts with someone, look for common ground. There is more that unites us than divides us. But when human rights are at stake, we MUST speak up and defend the rights of others—even if that means offending someone else with our words.

Will I continue to live, love, listen, and speak with respect to others? Yes, I will. But I will not pretend what is happening in America is tolerable or acceptable. When conflict arises, I will live without pretending to agree with others when I don’t. I will love the person I’m disagreeing with without depending on their acceptance or approval. I will listen without defending my point of view but vow to do my best to help them see it my way. And I will speak without offending knowing respect and compassion are keys to healing conflict—and ultimately the world.

#LoquaciousLindee

 Read more about Political Correctness

I read this excerpt from Elisabeth Parker, Writer and had to share.

My best girlfriends have jokingly talked about an intervention for me, a political intervention. They think I watch too much politics on TV. They can’t watch. It’s too brutal and Trump too vile. They’ve tuned out. They don’t want to know. And they think I should take a break as well because I go crazy watching Trump and the GOP lock kids in cages, do business with the Russians, take money from middle-low income people–all while destroying the planet!

But who is going to pay attention? Who is going to speak-up for immigrants and champion the young souls Trump has ripped from their caring parents’ arms? Who will stop Trump from seizing private and public lands to erect his racist, ego-driven wall? Who will fight for education for our young and medical care for us all?

I will. And I need your help.

As a white woman, a woman of privilege, I’m embarrassed that the majority of white women voted for Trump. I don’t understand it. Have they no empathy for others? Perhaps Trump’s destructive policies haven’t reached them personally, yet, but they will…in the form of lower pay, loss of control of our bodies, discrimination against LGBTQ people, and dependence on men. Women voting for Trump voted against their own interests. They’ve conceded their power to a bunch of old, white men. Men of self-imposed privilege that, in most cases, they’ve taken through entitlement and violence.

A woman on my twitter feed, a Trump supporter, is pissed. She totally bought into the #GOPTaxScam. She believed Trump had her best interests in mind. But, she’s not getting a tax refund this year. She’s having to pay $5000 instead. That was her red-line. She says Trump has lost her vote. That saddens me.

Not that Trump has lost her vote, but that KIDS IN CAGES ISN’T a red-line issue for her. That saddens me and sickens me. What have Americans become? She represents the worst in humanity; she’s desensitized to another human’s pain. Trump brings that out in people. He’s vilified immigrants to such a degree that some white people no longer care, if they ever did. Privilege brings that out in people.   

I vow to use my time to stay educated on the issues—and educate others! And, I vow to use my privilege to fight for people of all colors, sizes, shapes, and flavors. And I invite you to join the cause. The question is:

What will you do?

Will you step-up and speak-up? Are you still tuned in? Do you KNOW your country needs you? Democracy needs you? Right now! Use what you have to make a difference. Don’t wait for the pain to arrive at your doorstep. Have empathy for others. Use your own privilege to make a difference.

#LoquaciousLindee   #whitegirlprivilege  #libertyandjusticeforall

I’m implementing a Mishap Management Plan. That means I’m being proactive; I’m preparing for trouble before it happens.

I’m a First Class Girl Scout, the equivalent of an Eagle Boy Scout. “Be Prepared,” was a part of my high school education. I was a Brownie in Kindergarten and worked my way through Juniors, Cadets, and finally to Seniors in my Senior year of high school. I earned over 50 badges, patches, and pins on topics such as: hospitality, sewing, cooking, camping, hiking, and first aid. Earning Girl Scout badges gave me information, skills, tools, and most importantly, confidence.

I was a Brownie in 1966; a Senior in 1980. It’s was a different world, a safer world, in my mind. That’s probably my perspective and age talking, but while I’m writing this, California just experienced another mass shooting at a government agency. Over 20 fatalities…this is so sad. And scary. Even more so today, a girl needs to be prepared.

In 2009, the Girl Scouts addressed that by adding the Emergency Preparedness Patch which they developed in conjunction with FEMA’s Citizen Corps. Their motto: Don’t be scared; be prepared.

Life is unpredictable, but with proper training—the right Girl Scout patch–and the right attitude, I can handle anything with grace, strength, and humor. With that in mind, I’ve created my own Mishap Management Patch so I can travel the country confidently knowing I’ve compiled the information I’ll need if I “trip and fall.”

Here are 8 Mishaps that could ruin a girl’s day—unless she was prepared:

  1. Missed flight
  2. Car accident or break down
  3. Lost or stolen wallet
  4. Lost or stolen phone
  5. Lost or stolen computer or locked out of an account
  6. Got hurt or sick
  7. Pulled over
  8. Someone’s got a gun

Follow along and create your own Mishap Management Plan.

Here is the information you’ll need to gather. Store information in your phone, on your laptop, on a thumb drive, and online. Consider carrying printed copies of the information as well.

 

  1. Missed flight
  • Company Contact (trainer) #:
  • Company Emergency travel #:
  • After hours emergency travel #:
  • Traveler card customer service #:
  • Download company travel app:
  • Download airline apps:

 

  1. Car accident or car break down
  • Driver’s license:
  • Registration: hard copy
  • Proof of insurance: card and app
  • Download insurance app:
  • Insurance: Progressive Report a Claim:
  • Insurance: Progressive Roadside Assist:
  • Traveler card customer service #:
  • Download Car Rental app

 

  1. Lost or stolen wallet
  • $40 in cash stash
  • Copy of driver’s license
  • Report bank and credit cards stolen: numbers in PW doc and home
  • Report to police

 

  1. Lost or stolen phone
  • Trip tickets and itineraries printed
  • Google maps printed
  • Important contacts: #s in PW doc
  • Backup:
  • Facebook as alternative contact method

 

  1. Lost or stolen computer or locked out of important account
  • Dropbox: training files and PW doc
  • Thumb drive: training files and PW doc
  • Email myself PW doc
  • Report to police
  • Serial #:
  • Serial #:
  • Last Pass app

 

  1. Got hurt or sick
  • Insurance:
  • Doctor:
  • Dentist:
  • ICE info on phone
  • Update my will

 

  1. Got pulled over
  • Driver’s license:
  • Registration: hard copy
  • Proof of insurance: card and app
  • Download insurance app:
  • Rental car papers
  • National Car app
  • Attorney #:

 

  1. Someone’s got a gun
  • Drop back; observe
  • Locate nearest exit
  • Locate nearest police or security officer
  • Leave

 

Hopefully I won’t be experiencing ANY of that above situations. But if I do, I’ve thought about it, prepared for it, and should come out unscathed—lookin’ and feelin’ fine.

So, there you have it, an outline for creating your own personal Mishap Management Plan. All you need to do now is fill in the blanks and collect the information.

Motivational speaker Brian Tracy says, “Prepare for the worst and then expect the best.” Basically, figure out the worst case scenario and then do everything within your power to make sure that worst case scenario doesn’t happen. Laying this solid foundation helps me feel capable and comfortable. It allows me to walk forward with faith, knowing I can handle whatever is coming my way.

And now, with all of our business taken care of, let’s look forward to what’s next! But that’s a different list. Stay tuned.

#loquaciouslindee

I find myself worrying about my dad today. He’s 82, in the hospital, and recovering from surgery. This is day 24.

The time for worry should be over. He’s made it through the tough part, the surgery; now, he’s just waiting for all the vital organs to wake-up. He’s on the mend. But I find myself worrying regardless.

Regardless, being the key. Regardless of looking at the situation logically and calmly, I’m looking past the good news and dwelling on the bad. That’s what worry is: a thought of bad things unwanted.

So instead of focusing on my feelings or thoughts of my dad’s recovery, I’ve begun thinking about what I’m worried about. “I’m worried” has become “I think.” If I’m free to truly think anything I want—and of course I am—in this case, today, I’ve been thinking about all the bad things that could happen. What would happen if I focused on the good? I wonder.

I wonder when Dad will be released from the hospital? I wonder what his faithful nurse, companion, and wife–aka MOM–are doing right now? I wonder how he’s getting through his Father’s Day in the hospital?

I worry, I think, I wonder. All questions of what will happen in the future. Bad, neutral, good. For me, thinking, focusing-in on my thoughts, expectations and outcomes makes it easier to think positively, optimistically, and hopefully.

We know things in life will go wrong, but why not focus on what could go right?

Why worry when you can wonder?

 

 

I’m in a “universal time-out.” I’m flat on my back, unable to put pressure on my spine due to searing back pain. No more work or play. Time to be still. Time-out.

I didn’t have a lot of things I had left to do this week. I accomplished a lion’s share, a whole pride of lions’ share of activities this week already: rearranging and spring cleaning my small place, two hot power fusion yoga classes, a dozen laps around the lake outside my house. All of that after two hours of hand-snapping fresh asparagus–after a twenty hour car ride to and from Iowa! I like to get things done, and I’d checked more than a few items off the to-do list.

And, I was just thinking last evening how strong I felt. I was trouncing my horseshoes opponent solidly 7 to 1.  Hmmm, could have been the horseshoes that put me over. Those lucky shoes were a bit harder than usual to heave. And in hind-sight, not such a great idea. Just thinking about them sets my back aflame.

So now, it is time to rest, and time to write.

There certainly are benefits from being in a universal time-out. I hadn’t updated my blog in months. I guess those horseshoes were lucky after all. I’m lucky to have this time, time to recover, and time-out.

#LoquaciousLindee

I’m reading Breaking the Habit of Being Yourself by Dr. Joe Dispernza.

Dr. Joe’s a master at simplifying quantum physics so we can understand HOW energy creates our realities. I’m half-way through the book and I’m excited to get to the “how to” exercises. (There are a few realities I’m planning on creating.)

As Yoda would say, “You must unlearn what you have learned.”Breaking the Habit is teaching me why my heart, mind, and body hang on to past experiences—especially the hurts—and continue a feedback loop of stinkin’ thinkin’ (#stinkingthinking) that cripples my progress forward. Dispernza refers to it as “re-mind”;when your mind plays the same story again and again.

“The difference between a rut and a grave is the depth.”Who said that?

Dipernza’s view is that change creates quantum surprises (#quantumsurprises). And quantum surprises are the Universe’s way of honoring your intention. But you can’t be too specific. You have to anticipate in thought and with feeling specifically what you want, but then you have to let the Universe fill the need.

Break the habit of old thoughts, become very clear in your intent, and stand back and let the energy fall together.

“You can’t always get what you want, but if you try sometimes, you might get what you need.”

That was Mick. 😉

#loquaciouslindee

For more thoughts on moving forward, read Don’t Quit Now; Do It Now.

Let me interrupt this normally scheduled writing session to pass along this message of hope. H-O-P-E.

Hold On Pain Ends.

I’ve never heard this acronym before. I’m seeing it tonight for the first time. Hold On Pain Ends. It stopped me in my tracks. I stumbled on this quote tonight in a random google search. No, I wasn’t searching for hope. And I’m not in a depression or funk. I’m busy as crazy, doing what I love, and loving doing it, crazy as that sounds.

I actually clicked my way to it with a “quotes about Pinterest” search. Mixed in with quotes about the social media platform, Pinterest, were quotes that were also being posted on Pinterest.

There have been times in my life that hope has eluded me. And without hope, I wasn’t able to move forward in love and joy, or at all. I was stuck. Without hope, I was sad and depressed. And in pain.

“The sun will come out tomorrow, bet your bottom dollar there’ll be sun.” We all know that song quote. It’s so popular and relevant that the song is being heard by a whole new generation with the remake of the comic strip, book, broadway musical, and now movie, Annie. It’s such a beautiful message—of hope. Things will get better.

I wrote once that H-O-P-E stands for Hold On People Everywhere. That’s still valid. Hope is a waiting game. A game of patience, where sometimes you think the pain will never end. HOPE knows there are better days ahead. Pain-free days.  Little Orphan Annie says it could be as early as tomorrow!

Let’s HOPE (hold on pain ends) it will be soon; because HOPE (hold on people everywhere) is good for us all. 
 
#LoquaciousLindee
Help Open People’s Eyes. Be part of the State of the Union movement. 

Another perspective…You’re trying too hard.