Ali Mac
Charlotte, NC
- 308 comments
- 166 likes given
- 187 likes received
I am a writer and DIY addict who loves to write about interesting lifestyle topics. Visit my blog for some inspiration, creativity and a few good laughs! Thanks! :)
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@Julie | A Clear Sign That is so cool....
My latest conversation: A Personal Accomplishment: Warrior Dash!! The Play-by-Play
@Lori Yes!! Totally.... I think that's one of the reasons I love to write so much. It allows me to (at least attempt) to record some of that magic, in my life but also in the lives of others. So many moments....they can pass us right by! And yes, sometimes things line up to coincidentally to be..well....coincidence :) I think you bring up a good point about us watching these movies from such a young age - they do set up lots of big expectations. I feel like if we are not careful we can set ourselves up for letdown if things don't go exactly as planned - I know I have been there...
My latest conversation: A Personal Accomplishment: Warrior Dash!! The Play-by-Play
i DO believe in destiny! I love your story, Lori. So incredible that you listened to your gut and turned in the right direction. I have a similar experience - my husband and I "re-met" on a random night that I did not expect to run into anyone. Also, my cousin and her now husband both attended my wedding - separately - and didn't get together until a few years later. We watch them on our video, walking past each other, totally oblivious to one another! It's so crazy. I wrote about these stories once before, you can read the whole post here: http://www.punkwife.com/like-two-passing-ships-in-the-night/
My latest conversation: A Personal Accomplishment: Warrior Dash!! The Play-by-Play
@Lori As for my meaning, I'd have to say I've discovered it in writing, too. I just finished my first book, and part of it was a struggle because at first I kept trying to shy away from writing it and push myself to fit the "mold" of 9-5, brushing "crazy" ideas to the side. Finishing the book has given me more confidence to go my own path and entertain that "crazy" route. And I've discovered that the more I write and share, the more I connect and build meaningful relationships with others. I love taking on the project of writing a book or screenplay and researching, interviewing, and seeing a project through to the end - that's what feels meaningful to me. Maybe later it will be something else that nourishes my soul, but right now, there's my answer ;)
My latest conversation: A Personal Accomplishment: Warrior Dash!! The Play-by-Play
@Lori It is your perfect combination of being both uplifting AND authentic that makes this your meaning ;)
My latest conversation: A Personal Accomplishment: Warrior Dash!! The Play-by-Play
Lori, I read this post and I think to myself, this community and your writing is your meaning. None of us would be here if it were not for you. I may not comment all the time, and sometimes I just drop by for a few minutes, but I think about all the ways you've influenced me alone: some of the best books I've read were recommended over here; the terra cotta pendants that I purchased, for myself and as gifts for others who love them. Times that I've both expressed myself and learned about myself on this "porch," and the people I've met here. The way it has encouraged me to keep blogging, and maybe one day build a community as cool as this. Of course there are other meanings to your life I am sure, but know that even if this porch "burned to the ground", your community would build it back up for you because, well, you are just awesome :)
My latest conversation: A Personal Accomplishment: Warrior Dash!! The Play-by-Play
Hi! LOVE this idea!! I like "If you were in my shoes", for two reasons: 1), it describes what the forum is right away, and 2), right from the start it reminds people to think of it as if it were an issue they were personally facing. Not that your wonderful community doesn't do that already, but it's still a good reminder ;) Second runner up is "Dear LFI." GREAT idea!!!!!
My latest conversation: A Personal Accomplishment: Warrior Dash!! The Play-by-Play
@Lori @rshin @ashok I want to say one personal note here about a great book I read. Don't let the title sway you. It is called "The Vegetarian Myth" by Lierre Kieth. I don't think it matters what your eating habits are - I think ANYONE who eats ANYTHING needs to read this book. She explains the process of life, death and the cycle of it in such a beautiful way and it opened my eyes to a lot of things, all while relating it to her personal experience. Our conversation made me think of it :)
My latest conversation: A Personal Accomplishment: Warrior Dash!! The Play-by-Play
@Lori @rshin @ashok Lori, very true!! ;) I am looking at this in terms of life in general - "a moment of life is also a moment of death" - whether it be our lives, the lives of a plant, an animal, or any other living being and form of energy. Life is fluid and although our minds associate things as events, past, present, etc. it is really an ongoing fluid motion of simultaneous creation and destruction, all connected, as @rula and @ashok say. Trying to see it on a larger scale, as a spoke in a giant wheel, helps me to not fear the possible uncomfortable thoughts of the "dying" aspect on an individual level. (But hey, I guess that's just the little story my ego tells itself to keep it safe, as a "self defense" mechanism. HA.)
My latest conversation: A Personal Accomplishment: Warrior Dash!! The Play-by-Play
@rshin "By the way, the mother of all perfection is to BECOME and rula, when we Become we go beyond dualistic concept of perfection/imperfection because then theres nothing to compare. Then, it just IS. And IS is real. Beyond any measurement. Beyond judgement." Well said!!
My latest conversation: A Personal Accomplishment: Warrior Dash!! The Play-by-Play
@Carmelo @Sabrina at MyMiBoSo @rshin HAHA - Girlfriends too! We are all human! :)
My latest conversation: A Personal Accomplishment: Warrior Dash!! The Play-by-Play
@Sabrina at MyMiBoSo @rshin Hi Sabrina! Agreed! Ego is so strong, and crazy how it becomes the "protector" (I like how you worded that.) Only when we acknowledge the ego and step aside do we see that things are not so scary at all, and then what is scary is that we outgrow it - which of course makes the ego shrink. We think it's doing us good sometimes, but it's really just puffing itself up to scare us into needing it. It's like a bad possessive boyfriend, that ego! ;)
My latest conversation: A Personal Accomplishment: Warrior Dash!! The Play-by-Play
@rshin Haha - Use away!! :) And yes I totally agree with you that perfectionists are bound for failure!! Just like you, sometimes it can take me so long to start on something because I am scared (yes there's the fear again) of doing it wrong, or not "perfect," which is so funny, because who the heck is judging?! And what the heck is perfect? I don't think it exists, and if it did, it would be pretty boring! I see what you mean now by action - the "undoing" of the mechanical thoughts/habits. To make conscious the unconscious. Laughter is sometimes the only way out of this mess in our heads! At least we have that :)
As for your question, "how do you think one can go about 'not relying on events to make me happy'"? I think the answer lies in acceptance. Back to the Wayne Dyer quote - "You have everything you need for complete peace and total happiness right now" - it lies in the understanding that happiness comes from within, it is not extracted from what is on the outside. Now, to actually practice that...well, that's a whole 'nother story.....I think it takes a heck of a lot of discipline and hard work.
My latest conversation: A Personal Accomplishment: Warrior Dash!! The Play-by-Play
"You have everything you need for complete peace and total happiness right now." ~Wayne Dyer. I try to remind myself of this quote all the time. It is so hard to live in this moment! Sometimes I feel like maybe we are all so "purpose-driven", like we feel like we aren't doing enough and we feel guilty if we try to just sit still and BE.
"Does indulging in thought ever keep you from living your intended life in action?" This is a great question you ask, and for me, I can say YES. I have tried to think of why this is, and what I've come up with is that sometimes, the thought of doing something is better than the actual action. I wonder if that is why I sometimes procrastinate - because whatever the the thing is, it may sound great, but what if it doesn't live up to my thoughts behind it? Then what - would I be responsible for this, and would I then have to change it and try again? Would that realization make me depressed? It is also scary to take action sometimes. And finally, if I take the action and don't feel fulfilled, I may then be forced to live in the moment, explore myself a bit more, and not rely on events to make me happy - and that can be difficult. Worth it, but not an easy task.
I don't know about the chips, but wine has seemed to solve some of my problems. Just sayin ;)
My latest conversation: A Personal Accomplishment: Warrior Dash!! The Play-by-Play
"Traditional sarcastic dance"!! I'm crying over here....love!
My latest conversation: A Personal Accomplishment: Warrior Dash!! The Play-by-Play
@KenMueller If you can't laugh, you got nothin!!!! ;)
My latest conversation: A Personal Accomplishment: Warrior Dash!! The Play-by-Play
OOo I just learned this lesson the hard way! I have decided to keep the name, though, even though it may turn up some "questionable" results in google...at the end of the day, I just had to laugh at myself. If you want to see my 'coming to terms' post, it is here: http://www.punkwife.com/welcome-to-the-neighborhood/ All I can do is shake my head....
My latest conversation: A Personal Accomplishment: Warrior Dash!! The Play-by-Play
Lori I am so, so very sorry for your loss...I don't know what to say other than I am sending as much love your way as possible and thinking of you...
My latest conversation: A Personal Accomplishment: Warrior Dash!! The Play-by-Play
@StaceyMJHughes What a cool video to show to students! It really does make you think. All the visuals really help, and even though I saw it a while ago, I've mentally referenced it several times while talking myself out of buying more "stuff"! ;)
My latest conversation: A Personal Accomplishment: Warrior Dash!! The Play-by-Play
@Lori Whoops! Shows where my head is after a 3-day weekend - still waking up over here! Great post @StaceyMJHughes ! And yes @Lori - purging definitely does feel great! I always find that I never knew how much the clutter weights on my every day life until it's gone - it's like clouds cleared!
My latest conversation: A Personal Accomplishment: Warrior Dash!! The Play-by-Play