Life’s a giant playground

“Happiness consists in activity. It is a running steam, not a stagnant pool.” – John Mason Good

I strive to be a flexible and free-spirited person; one that yields to the slightest and most extreme of changes, one that appears to be in complete enjoyment of the unknown, and one that shrugs off problems like they were merely disposable incidentals.

But, the conscientious, responsible adult in me makes this quest a constant struggle. Thankfully, I have lots of little angels, (and I use this description with complete seriousness – of course), in my life to help keep the rigid adult in me at bay as they bring out my inner child.

Not long ago, I tagged along with a friend of mine and her ‘little angels’ to a playground park, and somewhere in between swallowing feathery mouthfuls of cotton candy and chomping on buttered, salty popcorn, I realized how freeing it was to stop thinking like an adult and more like a child again. This was a good thing because it started to pour on us. Did this stop the fun? Of course not!

What a catharsis it was to swing in the pouring rain and not care that my mascara dripped down my cheeks, my hair lost its style, and my sneakers turned into water-logged reservoirs. None of that mattered. There we all were giggling, swinging, running, and simply enjoying what I would have otherwise considered a washed-out day. The gentle reminders from my fun companions, that skirting around a playground park in the rain with their ‘auntie’ was just fine, changed my whole perspective. I wasn't worried about how silly I looked exchanging goofy faces with these little angels or about the intake of calories and fat grams I was ingesting as I chomped into all that sugar and chugged down a regular Coke (not diet)!

That day taught me something important – free-spirited and flexible people don’t shy away from childlike fun. Since then, I have continued acting a little silly, having more fun, and taking life less seriously as I pounce and propel upwards on the great trampoline of life, one freeing, child-like step, flip, or even flop at a time. 


Hoping the same for you,
Suzie

 
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I feel it's critical to support the community, and so I've committed to donate a portion of my book sale proceeds to Chely Wright's LikeMe foundation (http://likeme.org/) to help provide support, resources and education to LGBT individuals, and their families and friends. My books can be found on Amazon: The Fiche Room, Tangerine Twist and Two Feet Off The Ground.


Follow me on Facebook to keep up on my latest projects!
www.facebook.com/suziecarr.author 

Every Moment is an Experience

"Every moment is an experience." - Jake Roberts

Recently, a colleague invited me to have tea with her at a tea shop. I never liked tea, so I seriously thought about feigning a stomach virus. But, she was excited, and I didn’t want to burst her joy bubble.

When we arrived, an adorable lady sporting a bow-tied ponytail and a lacy apron greeted us. She escorted us past shelves stocked with fine teas, teapots, and fancy utensils, up a spiral flight of wooden steps and into a quaint room complete with lacy curtains and eyelet tablecloths. The room smelled like an early spring day. She sat us at a round table next to an antique hutch decorated with exquisite china.  I exhaled as softly as possible, fearing any rapid bellow of air would destroy the delicate ambiance.

She placed a cloth napkin on each of our laps and then explained the menu in one of those soothing voices that mother’s use when tucking a child into bed. Then, she retreated, leaving us alone to admire the old-fashioned wood carvings of the door and window trim and antique photos of Victorian women with curvy hips and bountiful bosoms carrying flowers.

A few minutes later, she reentered ‘our room’ with a tray of individual teapots and cups. She placed the dainty, floral painted cups in front of us and explained the fine art of steeping a pot of tea, which was to allow three minutes for steeping before indulging.  

So, as we diligently waited, she served us three tiers of scones and butter spreads, cute little sandwiches, and mouthwatering desserts dripping with fruits, creams and chocolates. I was in heaven, and so happy I didn’t fake stomach cramps! I felt like a little girl again sitting at the grown up table, allowed to use the best china. I even held up my pinky finger when sipping. It just felt like the right thing to do.

I giggled through half the afternoon.  I never imagined myself sipping cup after cup of tea, snacking on crumpets and feeling like a little girl swaddled up in this charming dollhouse while the rest of the modern day world went about their busy day.  

As the sweet decadence of fruit danced on my taste buds, something important dawned on me.  My life is zooming by and it’s critical for me to keep an open mind and try new things. By doing this, I offer myself the chance to discover all sorts of delicious new things.

Hoping the same for you,

Suzie

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I feel it's critical to support the community, and so I've committed to donate a portion of my book sale proceeds to Chely Wright's LikeMe foundation (http://likeme.org/) to help provide support, resources and education to LGBT individuals, and their families and friends.
Follow me on Facebook to keep up on my latest projects! www.facebook.com/suziecarr.author

A Turning Point...

Back in eleventh grade of high school, I was the new kid. There I sat in English class, front and right-justified near the classroom door, with a dream to have a group of girls circle around me to ask me my name, to ask who did my hair, to dig further and ask where I bought my new jeans. Instead, I watched in horror as the strangers sidestepped me and carried on without me as if I were nothing more than another desk that sprouted up overnight. Class started several minutes late, and by this time, my throat had dried up, my confidence had shattered, my ego deflated to a mere lining. Then, because of my ill-thought out decision to sit at the head of the very first row, my new teacher asked me to open up the reading. There I sat, book in hand, ready to make my debut and instead of my voice smoothing out, some strange, labored breaths cranked and wrestled my words. My heart raced like a bucking bronco, my hands convulsed into fit of trembles, and for the love of God, I forgot how to read.


A panic attack. I looked to my teacher for rescue and he just stared at me, perplexed, eyes squinting, mouth agape. I wanted to punch him. Finally, the girl sitting directly behind me saved me by picking up where my words garbled and seamlessly serenaded the class with her beautiful, calm reassured voice. That girl became one of my best high school friends, and unknowingly years later, became my inspiration for majoring in public speaking as a college undergrad.




Challenges don’t plow us over to weaken us. They do so to help us grow.

Little White Lie...

The white lie: It’s wrapped in purity. It’s told for the greater good. It’s forgivable, acceptable. And, when it stays hidden, it’s the perfect escape out of what could be a disastrous telling of truth. I heard that the average person lies five times a day. I’m assuming these are white lies to help get them through those sticky situations that could otherwise turn real ugly, real fast. Like for instance, when I told a fellow passenger on an airline flight that her paranoia about crashing wasn’t at all bothersome for the four hours we sat next to each other; or when I told my hair client that her shampoo hadn’t come in for her on time because the shipment was late, not in fact because I failed to order it. See none of these lies, if revealed, would crack open a crevice and swallow someone whole. So, I take these as community service type fixes that keep us all together, functioning as a spirited group of human beings.

I think where most of us get into trouble, is when we lie about things that, if not revealed, continually tend to threaten and undermine who we are as a friend, daughter, mother, and lover. They burden us, whether we’re aware of it or not, and can stunt the beauty of realized potential, progress and growth.


Lying has its place, its occasion, its reason for being called into action. It can be as innocuous as a pen or equally as dangerous.

Just Breathe and Relax...

Sure, sounds so simple, am I right? Especially considering we don’t even have to think about it. We're designed to function on autopilot, after all. Well, if you’re anything like me, you have moments when you realize your autopilot isn’t functioning quite right. Does this sound familiar during a stressful situation: head spins, chest tightens, and no matter how hard you blink, you just can’t get past the fog? Yeah, well, I experienced one of those moments yesterday. Then I stumbled upon an article and this is what I learned…


I learned to breathe. Yup. Good ole fashioned breathing. Worked like a charm, indeed! I followed the article's lead... I inhaled a good long breath, inflating my lungs, really expanding my chest. Then, I did it again and this time dug a little deeper. After about five of these, I fluttered back to the present. Playing along, I eased into yet another deep breath, awakening to the sweet smell of my vanilla spiced coffee perched on the desk in front of me. I reveled in the weightlessness of the air, feeling at last more relaxed than I would if I'd been soaking in a tub of bubbles. I inhaled again, so deep in fact that even my toes wriggled. The lucidity actually tickled.


Connected. Empowered. Present.


And, all this from a couple of concentrated, deep breaths. Oh, imagine the possibilities!

Where I'd like to go...

I am a beach lover. Not so much the bake-under-the-hot-sun-type, but more so the take-a-walk-at-sunset-and-ponder-the-great-things-in-life girl. Something in the misty sea air opens up my soul and makes me feel all tingly and awestruck. Perhaps there is some sub-atomic thing going on between the water and air molecules that bring out the vibes, or maybe it's just the many fond memories I have of enjoying this scene with special people in my life. Before I moved away from The Ocean State years ago, I'd drive down to Galilee and walk for miles whenever I needed to decide on a life-affecting choice. This sandy stretch of land never failed me, not even once. I collected a whole bunch more than just seashells. I collected answers that have always catapulted me to the higher road...


Now, if only I didn't live so far from the beach...

If I Could Read Minds....

I'm sure I'd giggle all day long if I could listen to what people say to themselves. Let's face it, we all talk to ourselves. I sometimes stop and thank God that no one can read some of my thoughts. I'm sure I'd get a giggle or two from some of the random insights that pop out of my mind, but I wouldn't be too far off to say that some of my thoughts might actually send people over the edge in shock. I'm guilty of some off-the-spectrum thoughts, I'll admit!


I certainly can think of a few people who I'd be delighted to be able to read their thoughts. But, then again, my imagination is usually greater than reality. So, maybe it's a good thing I don't possess that skill and all is left up to my imaginings...