Pieces for week on hold ... I have something to say

A ten-year old girl said to me, "I am stupid. I didn't know what four plus two was, so I'm stupid."
I had a talk with that ten-year old.  I made it clear to her that she wasn't stupid.

Ten. T.E.N. Ten...already deciding this belief about herself. It doesn't get better.

I have heard twenty-somethings' say things like;

"I am stupid."
"I am bad."
"I can't do that."

I have heard thirty-somethings say things like;

"I am stupid."
"I can't change."
"Oh well, that's just the way life is."

I have heard forty-somethings' say things like:

"I am stupid."
"I give up."
"This is all too hard."
"Life sucks."

I have heard fifty-somethings' say things like:

"I am stupid."
"I should have, could have, ought to have..."
"I'm gettin' old."
"Sex isn't all that..."

I have heard sixty-somethings' say things like:

"I am stupid."

These lies that we tell ourselves...these insidious, flat-out-wrong beliefs about who we are - male or female - are keeping us all from evolving and advancing and progressing and being alive and vibrant.

There are many writers out there that write about loving your self and being gentle on yourself...peace - light - and all things holy.
I am not quite on their page.

Sometimes an individual has to take the warrior's stance against the bullshit that inundates us.
From our upbringing, to our media choices, the music we listen to...even the food we consume....

Few understand the challenge of "inner-warriorship." Many are apathetic. There IS a fight. There IS struggle and temper-tantrums and a whole lot of  things "I don't wanna give up..."

Most settle in with, "Oh, well....things seem ok...why fix what doesn't seem broke...."
Life is adequate. Life is satisfying.


I would challenge you on that...
You may find that you are more apathetic than you think...
Apathy will bite you in the ass.
And then it's too late.

A good way to move past apathy is to ask questions. Really? Yes, really.

Last night I was making a purchase and there was another customer with questions. She kept apologizing, to the other customers, for asking questions. I had to step in.

"There is nothing wrong with asking questions."

What I should have said was, "Asking questions is a sign of intelligence."
 
The Less-Than, Not Good Enough, Not Worthy, I'm Stupid labels...will be ripped off by me. One by one. As I find them.

And frankly - sex should get better and better with age. Because you SHOULD be learning more and more about all the bodies involved, your own and any other body involved.

Nothing about us is stupid, is lost, should ever whither...
We can break patterns, change, create new things, invent lifestyles and constantly educate ourselves.
This is why we are not stupid. We have amazing minds that move us into amazing lives.

I can write of this because I know.
Ask me.

[Lisa}

A Piece A Week #13. Really Week THIRTEEN?

Ominous. Week 13. I am not one to give in to superstitious numbers, black cats, or what the moon is doing...ok, yes, what the moon is doing (it is Void of Course right now btw).

Week 13. A week where I injured myself on Monday and can not do any of my usual creative work. I tried...but I do not have the ability to grasp things in my left hand...important in metal work, wire wrapping and even beading. Tried it all. Even tried to lift my camera the other day, can't quite get the left arm to work right for that either...ok.

Well, now what?

(For those who don't know, I tripped, bounced and did an amazing slide while running along the American River Bike Trail...lots of skinned skin...and a left arm that, while nothing is broken, is extremely strained. Lifting, grasping etc., is coming back in very slow increments...)

Anyway - I am about to take a huge turn in another direction...get kinda motivational, kinda philosophical, kinda in your face about something.

Over the past few weeks I have had conversations with females - of all ages - who poo-poo the idea of cooking a delicious meal JUST FOR HER SELF.

"Oh no....I only cook for others, there is no point in cooking for myself..."

That is the biggest piece of molarky...and one that I will instantly get in your face if you say the same to me.

Why you should cook solo meals:

1) "Cooking is the ultimate act of self-appreciation." (click HERE to read the whole Washington Post article).
2) How else are you going to practice? If you practice on yourself first, you will have more confidence when serving others. (this goes a long way with all kinds of .... things.)

Sure, I have my favorite "pop in the microwave" foods...there is a place for that - but it is an amazing thing to give to yourself an amazing meal. I believe it is a sign of incredible self-maturity AND unstoppable self-worth.

I think there is a difference in the food when the cook has this confidence and love of cooking versus someone who just follows a recipe. Big difference.

Not unlike an art class...there are individuals who just make what the instructor makes - and there are those who learn the technique and then make something different.

Those that just follow along...well...how to say...mmmmmm there is no "soul" in the food. It tastes fine...maybe even GREAT...but food with no soul doesn't make you "moan." (this applies to many other ... things.)
I think that food served should make people moan with wonder.
Like a great piece of art will make people stop in their tracks...
A beautiful piece of jewelry will make people gasp.

So...cook something for yourself. Keep working with the ingredients until you can make yourself moan.
This works for many other ... things.

Once you KNOW you have a great plan for that fresh basil and garlic, because you have made it for yourself first...

Then share it with someone else.