I was recently diagnosed with a lung dieases which has caused damaged my airways. My doctor prescribed a Nebulizer to clear my lungs, it requires two treatments a day. It takes 50 minutes a day which includes cleaning the attachments. I haven’t started the treatments yet because I’ve been battling three other chronic illnesses and only sleeping a couple of hours a night. The box is on my desk in clear view and I do want to start the treatments, just not today.
Melinda
Having a million dollars would go a long way in supporting the charities that align with my beliefs, like mental health, sexual violence, homeless veterans, and animal recuse organizations. I would take the million dollars, wait until matching funds are available, and split the money among the charities.
Don’t get me wrong, money is great to have yet money is not the way to happiness. I was a millionaire at 38 and can tell you I was miserable, losing it all was the best thing that happened to me. It was difficult yet the lessons learned about living a shallow life changed me for the better.
Melinda
It’s hard to pick one because each day brings a new curiosity. Photography has been a passion since I was a teenager, there is always something new to learn. If you counted the 30ish houseplants I have you would see my dedication and pride which requires daily attention, getting lost in time caring for them is a stress reliever.
The closest to my heart is looking at old photos of me with bad haircuts, celebrating birthdays with my Grandparents, Granny always made my favorite German Chocolate Cake with decorative candle holders. Photos of my Grandparents through the years always bring a smile and the 100+ year old photos of ancestors I never met is cool. I try to imagine what life was like at the time, what was the occasion of the photo and what their names are, not to mention what type of camera set up was used.
Everyone has a different interest and that is what makes people so interesting to talk to.
Melinda
After the shock wore off, I would cry for the photos of my Grandparents lost and any cherished items they handed down to me. Then I would have to get a grip the best way possible and be thankful for a roof over my head, food to eat and that my family is alive.
Things are nice to have, pretty decorations, art work, books, and list goes on, yet we don’t need those to survive. All we have to do is look around our own country and many other countries where so many people live in poverty and we can see how a simple act of kindness puts a heartfelt smile on their face. A simple gesture like repairing a leaky pipe for an elderly couple brings joy, tears and most important they don’t feel forgotten. I got a bit of course there.
I’m blessed in life, in poverty and in riches, I’ve found joy and a will to keep moving forward.
Melinda
It isn’t so much of changing my mind as it is changing a mindset. Most girls are raised to believe they will grow up and be a mommy just like theirs with a family and that’s not reality. I wasn’t pushed hard growing up about having babies, it was an unsaid given and when I got married there was no pressure from my family on when we were going to start a family. Unlike some of my friends.
10 years later I was unmarried, without children and diagnosed with Cervical Cancer, because Ovarian Cancer ran on both sides of my family, a total hysterectomy was recommended, and that’s what I did. We have to make decisions based on what is right for us, our health, our life, not others or other’s expectations of us or women.
Children are great, they are a blessing and a gift of God but not every women wants or can have children and their lives are just as fulfilling.
Melinda
That’s a hard one because I have several, the biggest is building tools to help my Agoraphobia. I’ve been reading lately about how you can slowly work to lessen the anxiety with immersion therapy. I’ve put some thought into how to handle that yet Agoraphobia can be all incompassing and it includes much that not abeing able to leave the house.
Second, would be getting more excersis by going to the park with my husband and the dogs.
Melinda
The #1 priority every day is to wake up! Once I’m blessed with a new day my priorities change, from giving myself grace, being a good wife and doggy mom. As the day goes on then daily priorities take over. Most important is waking up every day and not taking the day for granted.
Melinda
I’m so proud my family history includes Native Americas from the Cherokee tribe. I don’t know who exactly married a Cherokee in the 1800’s, I think it was my granny’s grandfather. The best I can determine is I’m 1/16th Cherokee. I encourage you to read the brutal story of The Trail of Tears, it’s best book I’ve found that truthfully shares the inhumane treatment while being forced from their homes. Expect a few tears.
The American Indians have been raped fron the land since mankind landed in what became America. Years later our government took all their land and made them live of Reservations with little to no help from the American Government. It was vicious, making the tribes march to their new reservations. Many were killed, women were raped and when the Rolls of Cherokee’s were opened to prove they were American Cheerokee’s so many were distrusting of the government they refused to sign. I can only find one relative who is registered. If you didn’t register, you were not considered a member of the tribe and you and family received no benefits later offered to the American Indians.
American Indians lived in America for several hundred years and lived all over the United states. My perception about the tribes is they are survivors, were handed the worst and have made the best life with it. I won’t say it a good life because reservations have the highest rates of alcoholism, drug abuse and suicide. The casino’s look like and you would think the employees are paid nice, not true. Most live in extreme poverty.
It’s a sad in history for America, if the governments wants something, like land, they will take it.
Melinda
I could have a good life with or without music but I would choose music. I have memories as far back as four years old listen and dancing with my dad to Elvis and Hank Williams Sr., music has been the backdrop of my life including love songs that were shared with my boyfriends. Now there are so many genres to explore that most people can identify with one or many. My favorite music is the 70’s & 80’s however I like songs for generations that were before I was born.
Fleetwood Mac – Dreams (Official Music Video)
Melinda
A couple of months ago I was making the most delicious sounding cookies, I followed the instructions, had everything set up before I started and had confidence they would turn out as good as the previous recipe I made. Karma had a different idea, part of the recipe required mixing several items together in a bowl, after mixing I put the bowl just to the side of the mixer. Unfortunately, when it came time to add the bowl was not in my line of site and I forgot it. It wasn’t until the cookies were baking that I saw the mixture. A failure and a learning experience.
Melinda
Sharing just one lesson is difficult because I have many lessons that would have helped a great deal while growing up. I was abused by mother since birth and it contiued until moving away at 12 years old. Confidence was not apart of my vocabulary, nor did I know how to build my confidence. It wasn’t until I was 14 years old that my confidence started to build slowly.
I was spending a year in reform school that was run by nuns in a large convent. I may have been a wild child but I understood how to respect authority. Spending a year confined in a quite place filled with love, accountability and encouragement was what I needed. As I was given more responsibility and freedom my confidence contiued to grow, I was allowed to start a newspaper, the Tumble Weed Connection which showed me the trust my Journalism teacher had in me and it was a dream come true.
Learning to build our confidence is a life long journey because there is always more we can learn outside of our comfort zone.
Melinda
I was a picky eater until turning 30 when I started traveling and experiencing food from other countries, then I became excited to try different food. I remember a meal in Cozumel where we ate pasta with Octopus ink on top, can’t say I liked it but I was up for the adventure. Some the best meals where in St. Petersburg, Russia, each came with caviar on top, yummy. Salmon was particularly good in a sauce and caviar on top. This is not part of the question but I had the best milk ever while their, pure whole fat milk, what an indulgence.
I’ve always had a good when traveling but I love the food I grew up on which is fried chicken, fried sweet potatoes, ribs, canned fresh green beans, and fresh canned plum jelly.
Melinda
Before my illnesses took over my life my enjoyed walking in the woods or scenic trails and hiking, I even conquired Verna Fallas at Yosemite National Park yet I was not one to walk around, I wanted to have an environment to enjoy while walking. The last time I ran was in Jr. High where I ran track. Walking and running is not my thing, I know it’s great for your health but neither interested me. I have ridden a bike for years because I can ride to the park where there is plenty to look at. I did walk at a larger park with the dogs but would not consider that short of a walk helped me and we only went on the weekends.
My husband walks the dogs every morning and again before lunch, I have wanted to join them but when you have Agoraphobia it’s hard to jump that hurdle. I’m still hopeful that I will join him and the dogs one day.
Here’s to your health.
Melinda
There are several traits I steer clear of and I’ve felt the blowback from them as well. Someone with an over inflated ego nevers stops to listen to you, puts themself ahead of all others, barks back very quickly and does as they please.
I’m not talking about normal elevated egos, it’s the over of top egos that I have no use for.
Melinda
The list includes many but one word used when my emotions are not under control, like frustration and anger. I heard the word and many curse words growing up but using Gods name in vain never makes me feel good about myself as a stronger believer in God. It’s not used often as the prompt asked for but once is enough.
I rush to have a conversation with God asking for forgiveness and to give me strenght to banish the word from my thoughts.
Melinda
I was traveling to the airport to fly to Russia the day of 9/11, the airspace was closed for two weeks and as soon as it was lifted off I went to St. Petersburg, Russia. Traveling alone wasn’t anything new to me but it’s unusual in many countries, I stood out as American but everyone was so gracious to me. I didn’t know the language or anyone who lived there, and I liked it that way.
Walking everywhere, visiting the Hermitage twice, two other museum’s, street artists, went to the ballet, visiting a couple of restaurants outside of the hotel. When I was lost communication was difficult but often a point in the right direction was all that was needed.
I observed the Costra Nostra, mafia, up close since most nights there were enjoying life in a separate lounge area by the bar. One day I stopped into a small restaurant for lunch, a man and women were the only two there. While I was eating my soup and the man walked past when leaving, he looked at me and said American. I guess you had to be there to get the vibe. It was such a joy for me because I’m fascinated by the Mafia.
I remember going into a fur shop, it was freezing cold and I had not packed for the weather. We had no verbal way of communicating but by showing her the type of furs I liked, I left with a beautil silver fox coat. I’m not a fur wearer but as I struggled with the cold, I wanted the warmest coat I could buy.
I could talk for hours about my trip especially the Astoria hotel, one of two five star hotels in the city. From the moment the Mercedes picked up at the airport, the entire staff welcoming me when I arrived to how they helped and protected me. I’ve never experienced a city like St.Petersburg and look for the day I can return.
My trip of a lifetime to date.
Melinda
I’m not an easy cry but seeing pure acts of kindness fills my heart completely. Seeing a very sick child go home from hospital yanks my chain and seeing the unconditional love of an animal after it is rescued. I could go on and on but you can see my heart already.
Melinda
Even though I consider myself as jaded by my life’s experiences, makes me gratefull everyday. No matter if life is good or bad being grateful keeps me focused on the positive things gong on in my life.
Melinda
I have started an emergency backpack for each of us. They are not complete but here’s what’s packed so far.
Flip flops
Whistle
4 small recharable flashlights and charger each
Small first aid kit
Pop up dog bowls
New leash and harness for both dogs
Copies of dog’s shot’s
I have a few personal items to add to mine and may think of other items. My backpack is large, I’m hoping to have time to get my phone and laptop. The key is to get us and the dogs out of the house in an emergency. Items can be replaced.
Melinda
After retiring in 2005, I opened a store on Ebay for five years. It was fun but a ton of work, of course any business you want to be successful is hard work. The only brick and mortor store I’ve thought about was a coffee shop/bookstore. I would create a relaxing area where people can enjoy their coffee, chat and buy a few books.
The idea came to me in the early 90’s when I was buying Starbucks coffee online, long before stores opened. All the work behind running the business didn’t cross my mind because of my workload. It’s still a cool idea if you create an environment that is welcoming, comfortable and serves great coffee.
Melinda
My phone is the most important item I carry with me. I have cognative impairment and agoraphobia, my driving is very limited but without a phone I can’t call my husband to help me home. If it weren’t for the health issues I would say chap stick.
Melinda
I don’t believe in alternate universes which makes it impossible to describe my life living on one. My life would be the same bacause I like my life. The only fake universe I’ve seen is on the original Star Trek. Living in another universe doesn’t even cross my mind. That could be my thinking process is on the logical side.
Melinda
Birdwatching gives me so much joy from the squirrels chase each other around the tree and enjoying learning a new call from migrating birds. We have two types of woodpeckers, the smaller one has the nicest little chirp, it’s like it’s telling me he has arrived. There’s also Red Tail Hawks in the area, luckily they hang out in a near by tree top and I watch the majestic wings when they leave to hunt.
Melinda
I am a huge animal lover who is concerned about climate change, mental health, helping others and enjoying life. How I look doesn’t matter, that’s the last thing I want someone to remember. I’m a whole person and it’s important to show who I am on the inside.
Melinda
We eat in the living room vs the dining table most of the time. Our recliners have desk attached we can eat on it.
Long gone are the days of cooking every possible item for the holidays.
Only cooking on Thanksgiving and Christmas. The eve’s are spent eating a meal that includes, hard meats, several cheeses, olives, crackers and deserts of course. It’s a simple way to have a special meal without cooking.
Eating at 5:00 PM everyday.
Melinda
For me to travel to Jordan, the conflict in the Middle East would have to change dramatically. I’ve wanted to see Jordan since I saw a feature on the Travel Channel. The awe-inspiring Petra, Dead Sea salt baths and the people are so inviting. They are so generous by taken in so many refugee’s.
The list of places and countries to travel to is long but with planes falling out of the sky every day, I’m not flying.
St. Petersburg, Russia
What a great view out of my hotel window.
Melinda
I didn’t have the opportunity to listen to music at work until I moved into a sales role. My days were spent driving to client meeting to client meeting so there was time to enjoy some tunes. I listened to some popular 90’s music but mostly CD’s of my favorite old Rock & Roll tunes.
I’m now retired and enjoy quite days unless my husband sends me a link to a song he thinks I’ll like. I’ve included a great tune by Bonnie Rait & Keb Mo.
Melinda
Many of the go to comfort foods today are the same since childhood. Mac & cheese, chicken & potato soup, peanut butter & jelly sandwichs, chocolate cake and my daily Cherrios top the list. My Gramps made the best homemade chicken soup and a mean job on potato soup.
Melinda
There are many activities I can lose myself into, like photography, ancestry, looking at old photos of my family and ancestors, working in my garden, watching birds and researching topics of interest.
Melinda
God loves me
Jesus died for my sins
Artificial Intelligence is good and very bad
Climate change is real
My dogs love me
My husband loves me
Writing is the perfect outlet
My Grandparents past the through the pearly gates
Compromise is the start to finding a solution
The politics of today will change in future
I’m not sure what picture someone will draw about me after reading this post, I’d love your feedback.
Melinda
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