Life has truly been a dance for me the last few years.

To make a long story short. In 2010, I got a divorce I did not see coming. I had nowhere to go and very little money saved. I moved home. It killed me to have to do so. I was sick and had been diagnosed with fibromyalgia a year before.

I was lost and hopeless. I started a new career and this led me back to school to work on my passion skin care and makeup. I obtained my esthetic license in 2012. I decided that I had made it that far so I should finish my degree. I just obtained my cosmetology instructors certification and A.A.S in management last week.

I was happy and the dance got me temporarily. I went to lunch with a friend and met up with her friend who offered me a job last Friday. What? It was supposed to be lunch. We left and I was amazed nothing like this happens to me.

I went inside her townhome  just for five minutes and a lady side swiped my car with a 28 ft U-haul truck. I was calm strangely. She eventually left the scene before the police came. So I had to deal with that as well. I had to leave my car. I have never left my car like that. I know it sounds stupid.

I got home with the help of a good friend and to pick up a rental car the next day. I was assured my car would be a the shop Monday. Monday comes and I go to the shop no car it is missing.

This happens after I had been at the IRS to find out about the fraud with my taxes that has been going on since Feb. I was one of the people who had my identity stolen. After waiting in line for 30 minutes  (this is my third time there since Feb. with no answers to when I get my money back)

I am still calm after all this. The lady helping me takes care of everything and ask how the rental is? I explain it is horrible and dirty.

She even gets that straight and a new car. I say all this to say I ended the day having dinner with my best friend and know that in this dance of life I have much to be grateful for even with all the adversity.

Happy

Happy!! The emotion I felt as I returned to work at French Quarter Salons.  I work there in my business "Bringing Out the Beauty in You" and for the Institute of Cosmetology and Esthetics.  Today was my first day back to French Quarter since the school took our winter break. I have worked but on location with a couple of brides.

As I entered my suite I felt an instant calm come over me. It was still early and most of the other practitioners had not arrived. I began to prepare for my client. As I moved about the room tears came to my eyes and I said out loud "I missed this. I am at this  point in my life truly happy." I had not worked much in the salon for the past two months. Instead, I worked on location with five brides and at my other job. I quickly finished my preparation and went to the lobby.  

I began talking to Rhonda the manager and confessed that I had regretted my decision of signing a two-year lease up until that moment. I told her I had not realized how much I enjoyed working in the salon.  How happy I was every time I walked through the doors. No matter if I was working a full day or not it was always a happy place to come.  

Just be in this moment

This morning I woke up to discover that I don't have a voice again.  I was bummed and instantly bored.  I have really done nothing the past few days.  Saturday evening, everything was fine.  I attended a party for work.  I did drink a little more than I have been over the past few months.  I felt a little off and left the party early.  I went to another party and left there as well.  I went home and got in bed.  I was asleep for a few hours when it hit.  Nausea, then vomiting.  I thought the alcohol was the cause originally.  I slept for most of the day.

For those of you that do not know my normal routine for the past three months has been the same.  I am up at 530 or 6 in the morning every day.  Yes, even my off days.  I surf the web, check email and do a workout.  Hey don't judge it is a time I pick.  I am in the shower latest 630 and out the door by 710 on workdays.  If I am off, I am normally walking as soon as the first light hits so I can see the sunrise and the forest wake up.  This is a time when I talk to God.  In the evening on workdays I do the opposite.  I time my walks to watch the sun set.

Anyway, I did not get out of bed until noon Sunday.  I had a horrible headache, my body ached and I was still nauseated.  I thought my throat hurt from the vomiting so I stayed in bed and did very little.  I realized later in the day that my voice was going.  Great that is all I needed.  I got back in the bed took some oils and medication.  I vegged on TV for the rest of the day. 

Monday morning I got up late.  I did not really hear the alarm. (Very unusual for me)  I hurried getting ready for work.  I was sore but in such a rush to make it on time I really did not think.  I hate being late.  I drove as fast as I could and got to work no one was there.  I began to realize at this time that I really felt weak, hot, nauseous, and like I was going to pass out.  I sat there trying to do very little.  I had a test to give, grade and go over.  I thought how bad can that be.  My voice faded again after I began talking with the class. After we went over everything I left.  I came home and got back in bed.  I have been there since.  I finally got up to take a shower this morning.  I tried to go in today no luck.  I have very little voice.

I explain all this to say, I was bored until a hour ago.  I have no reason to be bored.  I have hundreds of books and magazines to read.  I have five blankets to finish. I have to send out cards.  The list goes on and on.  What I have not done enough of is take care of me.  I haven't had a vacation in a year and a half.  All of my trips have been working trips. I really haven't done much for me.  That one day off that I have is normally spent working out, yard work, cooking, laundry, grocery shopping and getting ready for the lesson for Monday's class.  In other words I am always busy.

In this moment, I was given a sign to just be. Relax and listen to Christmas music, watch endless movies, not think about work and reflect. Last night listening to a Lakewood broadcast I was reminded that we all have been given  a purpose.  We cannot fulfill this purpose with a mind or body that is weak.  We have to keep ourselves strong to do what God has for us.  Only then can we be strong in our journey. I want to be strong enough to do as our creator wishes. 

Today I am focusing on just being. Enjoying these days in bed and getting my strength back.  As well as my voice.  It is a moment in time.  Just a small moment. I am grateful for this time.