The one about “what is my life’s purpose…”

For those of you who are Friends buffs, you’ll get the reference in my title.  Every episode of Friends is titled “The one with…” or “The one about…”  For some reason it just fit for this post.  Anyway…

Determining your life’s purpose to some people sounds like a load of crap.  There are spiritual people, non-spiritual people and people who just don’t really think too much about it at all.  I think I fall somewhere on the side of spiritual-ish/dreamer – if that’s a thing. I definitely believe in God although I’m what you’d call a “fake Jew.” The last time I was in a temple was for a Jewish friend’s wedding and before that, probably my cousin’s Bat Mitzvah.  I don’t really do much “praying” in the formal sense but I know there is someone up there watching over me, guiding me and hopefully steering me in the right direction when I stray too far.  I celebrate the traditions of my family’s religion and value them very much.  Additionally, I love celebrating the traditions of Christmas and I don’t really care if that makes me a bad Jew or not!  Anyway…

This post actually isn’t about religion at all, so I digress.  A few weeks ago I had a birth chart reading from someone I’ve known for a while.  I won’t go into too much detail about how I know her but I will say that she is a true believer and can probably make a believer out of you if you are even slightly “spirit-curious” (I just made that word up but you get the idea…).  I have never seen ghosts or heard voices-but I believe others who claim to have.  I’ve always believed in Heaven but not Hell (Probably wishful thinking…). I do believe in signs from the universe.  I do believe the clichéd saying that was coincidentally my sorority’s motto. “Everything happens for a reason.”  I do believe that we are all put here for a reason but I’m not sure many of ever find out what that reason is.  You get the idea.  I was “spirit-curious” for lack of a better word.

I had no idea what to expect.  Was she a physic?  Was she going to tell me when I’d die?  Was she going to tell me anything she didn’t already know from knowing me and viewing my Facebook profile?  Well I can say it wasn’t what I expected.  Basically, I provided my exact time, date and year of birth and she did the rest.  I had no idea what a birth chart was or what you could determine from it, but apparently it’s a lot.  She was able to see my past life (still not sure if I believe in this part honestly, but for some reason what she said DID make sense and just felt like it could be true so who knows…) but more importantly she was able to see my current life very clearly.  She could see traits I had, things I needed to work out, when my “windows of opportunity”and the age-old “why am I here.”  It wasn’t all what I wanted to hear (she quickly put to rest my belief that I was absolutely meant to live my life on a beach and casually write all day – damn!), but almost all of it just made sense.  It also gave me a lot to think about.  One thing she stressed was not to spend too much time trying to figure out how you’ll get there but just let things happen.  I don’t want to give away too much of what she said but in a way I’ve already unknowingly been headed toward what I’m “supposed to be doing.”  One thing I found interesting is that writing may not necessarily be ultimately what I’ll end up doing but it will be a catapult and something I should continue with. She told me not to think about it and just to write.  Hence, this blog post!

Recently, I haven’t been blogging as much because I’ve found a lot of my writing to be really personal lately and I’ve been writing more for me than for public viewing.  I miss blogging and sharing my ramblings with whoever may want to read them though.  I guess you could say I’m egotistical in that way. Good or bad, I want people to read/hear what I have to say. I think this will be something that will come up again and is an important part of who I am.

So there it is folks.  I hope I’ve done the experience justice and explained it semi-accurately.  There is a lot more to it (it almost seemed scientific to me in a way, it’s kinda like your horoscope times a million…or something…) and whether you’re a skeptic or not, it’s something worth reading about and exploring (in my opinion!).  If anyone is interested in getting a reading or just learning more, click here!

A New Life…

The thing about change is that it seems to come in waves, at least for me. Life goes on and things seem to become routine and then bam, EVERYTHING changes.  I’ve never been the type to be opposed to change, in fact, in my younger years, I tended to “get bored” easily and make rash, drastic decisions rather hastily.  But the older I get, the more I appreciate the routine, the expected, the safe.  However exciting living in NYC was, it was also safe for me because I had a routine.  I had my local coffee shop, my go-to pizza place, my nail salon of choice and my weekend routine (Zabars, the NY Post and if weather permitted, a stroll in Riverside Park).  I had my weekday routine too. Subway to work, coffee or a designer juice (don’t ask) downstairs, and the camaraderie of working long hours in a crazy start-up where coworkers were more like siblings.  My free-time was spent doing whatever I wanted, for the most part.

As things begin to change and I begin to get into a new routine (12 minute walk through scenic downtown Newport to work, evenings and weekends spent catching up with old friends and relaxing by the water), I realize that EVERYTHING is changing once again, and maybe for good.  This is the last weekend (possibly forever, but certainly for a while) that I’ll truly be on my own schedule, doing whatever I want and going wherever I please.  No, I’m not pregnant or anything but I am about to get a permanent roommate and I think one of my first big lessons will be compromise.

Because I’ve been fairly independent my whole life and spent the first 25 plus years of my life un-attached, my biggest fear about co-habitation is the minute details that make up life.  What will we eat for dinner, what kind of eggs will we buy (I prefer organic brown…)  what kind of soap we’ll keep in the shower, how the bed will be made… Also, will I ever lie on the couch with total control of the remote again? These tiny details terrify me as I realize I probably won’t always have it my way. I can’t even imagine the life-altering that will ensue when I (someday, like sommmme day) have a house full of children and dogs to think about! So readers, any advice for a first-time co-habitator?  Speak now or forever hold your peace!

Location, location, location?

I recently spent 5 days in Buffalo, NY and while there, I got some “inquiries” as to why I live in NYC and also whether I would I ever consider moving to Buffalo (it’s cheap! the foods great! I could have a huge house! The people are nice!). This got me thinking.  It’s true, I do consider location a key factor in happiness.  Afterall, location determines a lot.  Whether you have friends and family nearby, the climate, the food, the cost of living and really the overall quality of life.  But do I need to be in a specific location to be happy? Maybe, or maybe not…

On my flight home I got to thinking about why I moved to NYC in the first place.  There were a lot of reasons.  But probably the key reason was the image I had in my mind of what it meant to live and work in NYC.  The clichéd notion that living and working here would make me important, successful, rich and by association – happy.  Truth be told, I love telling people when I’m traveling that I’m from NYC, there’s a certain air of credibility and coolness that those three little words generally give off. Or at least in my own head they do…

So now I’m stumped. As I’m about to embark on another chapter of my life – I must know –  Is it the actual PLACE you live that’s important or is it everything else – such as the right job, loved ones, a nice house/apartment that make a place great?  One wise Buffalonian said to me “I’ve lived all over (he hasn’t really, but I digress) and I can be happy anywhere as long as I have a job and a nice place to live.”  It seemed so simple yet so true. Doesn’t it??

So I ask you, wise readers, do you think your location factors into your happiness or do you think if you have a job, a partner and a nice place to live, you can “be happy anywhere?” Let the debate begin!

Editors Note:  In no way does the above post mean that I am moving or planning on moving to Buffalo, NY.  Just pondering location in general my friends 🙂  As noted in previous posts, I am thinking of heading back to New England to reunite with my beloved Atlantic Ocean, Wicked accents and lobster rolls 🙂  But as you all know, anything is possible so we’ll see…

Things Even a Strong Woman Needs a Man For…

During my nearly two years in a long distance relationship I’ve grown to be a pretty strong and independent woman.  I’ve artfully mastered dining alone at a local coffee shop, cooking for one, and I’ve even learned how to enjoy painful holidays such as Valentine’s Day with my not-always present main man (thank you Skype!).  Even still though, they are definitely a few situations where only a man will do.  I know what you’re thinking…that’s a whole ‘nother blog though!  Below is the G-rated laundry list of times when I wish FF was not so long distance!

When I’m sick…I can’t speak for every lady out there, but when I get sick, I immediately get cranky, depressed and weepy as an added bonus.  I just want someone to make me soup, fetch me more tissues, keep my Gatorade and gingerale supply fully loaded and appease my whining.  I know it sounds like a dream job but someone’s gotta do it!

When there’s a mouse in the house! As luck would have it I made it 30 years of my life without ever seeing a mouse and then broke the streak a few months ago when at least one little bugger took up residence under our stove.  I became a paranoid mouse-obsessed shell of myself as we waged our own little war via glue traps, poison packs and other assorted animal cruelty methods.  (Editor’s note if any PETA supporters are reading this,  my roommates and I did throw out all the glue traps when we read about the torture a mouse may endure if getting caught on one.)  Friends, family and coworkers all came to my support with helpful remedies and tips for mouse-fighting but without a man around to bravely set the traps, move furniture and poke around for potential victims, I was left to my fend for myself.  In others, I borderline stalked our poor handy man with a barrage of texts, emails and panicked phone calls – if you’re reading this Rick…sorry about that!

When I can’t figure out my taxes…I’ve never claimed to be a financial wizard but over the years I’ve successfully mastered both Turbo Tax’s and H&R Blocks “do it yourself” tax platforms and felt pretty confident in my abilities as a self-tax doer.  Things got slightly more complex with multiple jobs and city taxes and different addresses and somehow I missed a measly little form or two causing the IRS to “get in touch.”  Do I attempt to fix it myself? Find an accountant? Go the local H&R Block route?  If only I had a man around to make these tough decisions for me…sigh…

When I want to try that new romantic restaurant…As noted above I’ve learned to appreciate dining alone or ordering takeout for one when my girlfriends are busy.  But there’s certain places that you just can’t go alone – or even with your gal pals – without looking totally pathetic.  That new little romantic Italian joint that plays soft jazz, has floating candles on the tables and specializes in “romantic fare you can share?” Yeah, that will just have to go on my “when FF visits” list for now…

Any other LDR’ers out there?  What are your “I Need My Man” moments?  I’d love to hear ’em!

My fifteen minutes…

It’s funny how things work out.  I just got back from a trip to LA and everytime I go there, I come back to NYC thinking I may be more of a west coast gal then an east coast one.  This trip was no exception.  Also, while I was there, I connected with someone who got me thinking about my life path, my destiny – you know, all that good LA-ish type stuff… Kidding, but seriously, this person did get me thinking deeper than my NYC brain usually thinks, but hey, I also had a 5 hour flight to sit through… 🙂

Anyway, I remembered (or rather reminded myself) that I love writing and would start doing again and I also told myself (see last post) that I would start doing more things to make a name for myself.  Well call it fate or call it a coincidence but the very next day I get contacted by CNN to appear on their CNN Newsroom show.  I also got a tweet from someone at CNN who told me he “lives for my blog” which pretty much made my life since I didn’t think anyone except my parents and my loyal Newport buddies actually read this thing!

Someone once told me that if you leave things in the universe’s hands they will work themselves out and I’m pretty sure that’s true.  There are highs and lows, ups and downs, setbacks, surprises, and things to work out, but at least tonight, I’m giving my crazy overactive, overanalyzing, ball of stress, plan-making mind a rest and having a lil’ faith…

Here’s a clip from my network television debut.  It was only about 3 minutes so I figure I got at least another 12 minutes of fame left in this lifetime! 🙂

Comments welcome…and yes, I know I say “I know” a lot!  Rookie mistake, I’ll do better next time!