Authenticity

Authenticity resonates with me, and certain teachers (words, people, experiences) ring true.

Actors and people who wear multiple masks come off as inauthentic to me. It seems they think they are chameleons, delighting in changing their appearance or costume to match their surroundings, but I prefer to be my true self, all the time.

This means I generally mean what I say and say what I mean. I have a reputation for being "outspoken" and "opinionated" not to mention "loud" and "abrasive" but in my mind, if you can't stand the heat, please get the *f* out of my kitchen.

In other words, I move away from people whose energy I cannot stand to be around, and I would ask you to kindly please do the same. If my energy or voice is abrasive or obnoxious to you, or you cannot be near me because I smoke, I'll ask that you keep your distance, we are probably better online than in person.

However, for those of you who CAN stand to be in my presence, I enjoy your company. I appreciate your acceptance of me and my habits and personality. I realize I tend towards bodacious and bawdy, and I am delighted that you either find that entertaining or mind it little enough to stick around.

My dear friends and family provide a support network whether they know it or not. I thrive on positive feedback and learn from the negative. This does not mean I want you to train me like a dog;  the universe has already been doing that ever since I became aware of it about 5 years ago. What it means, is, if you have a compliment for me, please pay it, and if you have some gentle but constructive criticism, I would like to hear that as well, if you are able to present it in a way that is educational for me and not just critical.

I learn best by example. Other people set examples for me of how I'd like to be and, perhaps  more importantly, how I'd like NOT to be. When I weighed 200 pounds, I did not feel I was setting a good example for anyone.

Now that I am back down to 150 and headed for 135 where I belong, it is easier for me to demonstrate what it can mean to be an active, loving, conscious, caring, empathetic, non-judgmental smoker.

I may not walk the talk 100% of the time yet, but I am certainly walking TOWARDS the talk!

Love,
Lynda
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Driving Tour May 16th

What makes me Me

Lately I am learning I am a "Highly Sensitive Person" (Hereafter referred to with the TLA: "HSP")

I am not only highly sensitive, but a mid-forties woman who has worked now for 30 years and smoked for just as long.

These links and this "diagnosis" help me understand myself so much better now!

From: http://www.highlysensitivepeople.com/

You have a heightened awareness of subtleties in your environment, whether it's sight, sound, touch, taste, or smell. (I have princess and the pea syndrome. I don't like things touching my back, and notice when people are too close or about to touch me. I am also highly observant)

You can become stressed out and upset when overwhelmed and may find it necessary to get away, maybe into a darkened room, to seek solitude, relief and comfort.  (This is why I smoke and drive around in my car a lot - to be away from people's energy and immersed in just my own)

You are very creative. (Never thought so but only because I was never encouraged to be anything but smart and logical growing up)

You are very conscientious, hard working, and meticulous, but may become uncomfortable and less efficient or productive when being watched or scrutinized. (Yes, this describes my work habits perfectly. I make more mistakes when people watch me over my shoulder)

You feel compelled to file and organize things and thoughts, also enjoy simplicity and may become overwhelmed or even immobilized by chaos, clutter, or stress. 

You are very uncomfortable when feeling things are getting out of your control. (My psychic says my smoking is a way of exercising Control)

You get a sense of comfort and well being when around a lake, river, stream, the ocean, or even a fountain. (Yes. I love to be near water and find it very soothing)

You may experience mood swings, sometimes occurring almost instantly and can also be affected by other people's moods, emotions and problems. (Yes, I have mood swings. I am very happy when I'm happy, and very not when I am not :)

You have a deep, rich, inner life, are very spiritual, and may also have vivid dreams. (OK, this may be true, but I don't like to be thought of as delusional or living in a fantasy world)

You are very intuitive and you feel that you can usually sense if someone isn't telling the truth or if something else is wrong. (I often finish others' sentences because I know ahead of time what word they are reaching for, it just pops into my head)

You get concerned and think or worry about many things, and have also been told "you take things too personally." (YES! I worry about the elderly, the challenged, the animals, the children, anyone who can be taken advantage of and cannot defend them self!)
 
more to consider... Can be startled easily. (I jump at loud noises or people coming up behind me) Cautious in new situations.  Don't like crowds (unless they are kindred spirits). Avoids violent movies and TV shows. Has a deep respect and appreciation of nature, music and art. (I stopped watching scary movies after "Scream"  gave me nightmares, and I stopped watching TV for the most part two and a half years ago. Real Time, Curb Your Enthusiasm and Jesse Ventura's Conspiracy theory are a few of the shows I will still consider watching, and I caught the first episode of American Idol when Steven Tyler started judging).


http://www.hsperson.com/

• Your trait is normal. It is found in 15 to 20% of the population--too many to be a disorder, but not enough to be well understood by the majority of those around you.
• It is innate. In fact, biologists have found it to be in most or all animals, from fruit flies and fish to dogs, cats, horses, and primates. This trait reflects a certain type of survival strategy, being observant before acting. The brains of highly sensitive persons (HSPs) actually work a little differently than others'.
• You are more aware than others of subtleties. This is mainly because your brain processes information and reflects on it more deeply. So even if you wear glasses, for example, you see more than others by noticing more.
• You are also more easily overwhelmed. If you notice everything, you are naturally going to be overstimulated when things are too intense, complex, chaotic, or novel for a long time.
• This trait is not a new discovery, but it has been misunderstood. Because HSPs prefer to look before entering new situations, they are often called "shy." But shyness is learned, not innate. In fact, 30% of HSPs are extraverts, although the trait is often mislabeled as introversion. It has also been called inhibitedness, fearfulness, or neuroticism. Some HSPs behave in these ways, but it is not innate to do so and not the basic trait.
• Sensitivity is valued differently in different cultures. In cultures where it is not valued, HSPs tend to have low self-esteem. They are told "don't be so sensitive" so that they feel abnormal.

http://www.sensitiveperson.com/attribts.htm

Attributes and Characteristics of Being Highly Sensitive

Emotionally, Highly Sensitive People (HSP) are mainly seen as shy, introverted and socially inhibited (or can be socially extroverted). They are often acutely aware of other's emotions. Sensitive people learn early in life to mask their wonderful attributes of sensitivity, intuition and creativity.

Physically, HSPs may have low tolerance to noise, glaring lights, strong odors, clutter and/or chaos. They tend to have more body awareness of themselves and know instinctually when the environment they are in is not working for them.

Socially, introverted HSP may feel like misfits. They actually enjoy their own company and are totally comfortable being alone. Both introverted and socially extroverted HSP often find they need time alone to recover after social interactions.

Psychologically, HSPs compensate for their sensitivity by either protecting themselves by being alone too much, or, by trying to be 'normal' or sociable which then over-stimulates them into stress.

Work and career is particularly challenging for HSPs. They are often overlooked for promotions even though they are usually the most conscientious employees. They are excellent project oriented employees because they are responsible and thorough in their work.

Relationships can be difficult. In relationships they may be confronted with their unresolved personal issues. They can however, offer their partner the gifts of their intuitive insights.

Culturally, HSPs do not fit the tough, stoic and outgoing ideals of modern society and what is portrayed in the entertainment media.

***Childhood wounds*** have a more *devastating* effect on HSPs. It is important for them to heal their past hurts because they cannot just forget them and go on in denial. (I can forgive but it is hard for me to forget)

Spiritually, sensitive people have a greater capacity for inner searching. This is one of their greatest blessings.

Nutritionally, HSPs may need more simplicity in their diet. They may be vitally aware of the effects of food on the health of their body and their emotional stability.
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Things I've learned

OMG I've stuffed so much into my brain these past three months I can barely see straight.

I've learned about WinXP, Vista and Win 7 and the similarities and differences amongst them.

Same with Chrome, IE and Firefox, also different versions and service packs.

I bought my first laptop and MP3 player and learned how to use both of those.

I learned 40 new names and personalities at my new wonderful company and how to navigate the waters here in Natick.

I've learned Request Tracker, Cacti, Open Office writer and calc, learned about viewers and readers and how to save files into different formats.

I've learned who publishes Everquest, Everquest II, Combat Arms, Second Life and Reaction Grid. Plus a whole lot of others.

I've created more passwords for myself and others in the past three months than probably my entire life before February 2011.

I've learned about uploading and downloading and sharing files and data, and some more filename extensions than I knew before.

I've learned how to do a complete system recovery, but that one I unfortunately learned the hard way.

I've learned it's better to let the other person talk than to talk myself. I'm a good listener.

I need to do it more.

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Amazon and the Shift Affiliate

https://shiftnetwork.infusionsoft.com/go/aff/Aero123


Ok so I've been an Amazon Affiliate for a while now but not promoting my blog at all because I'm not a sales person. I figured if I was talking about some book I loved, I could post a link to the book and then if anybody bought it maybe I'd get a kickback.


Well, becoming an Amazon affiliate was so painless, that when I was given the opportunity to affiliate with The Shift Network, I jumped at the chance. This is something I can sell. These are teleconferences and seminars I will enjoy sharing with anyone and everyone. 


So stay tuned, whoever out there has stumbled onto my page, because I will be updating this as new links become available. For now feel free to click my link above and see what happens.

Love,
Lynda

My first time at a startup

I've worked for semi-established or fully-established companies my whole life, places like banks and Bose. Now, at the age of 44, I find myself starting fresh at a a startup company.  Here at this startup, I've come to find out, I have been over-educated in the corporate world with lots of fear about Doing the Wrong Thing. I have to curb my sense of humor, it's too bawdy. I have to control my voice, it's too loud. I have to be concerned with other people's privacy, we do not want a lawsuit. I have to reign in my sexuality, we do not want Harassment issues. My language is foul and not professional enough. I cannot talk about politics or religion or anything I do outside of work.


At work, I have been very closed down. Now I wonder how much of my inhibitions were self-control and how much was "toeing the corporate line". I guess here at this startup, I will find out, because my wonderful boss is encouraging me to be myself. I wonder now what my self is. It used to be hard for me to be myself when I believed my self to have a bodacious, unacceptable personality. But how much of that was me, and how much of it was my "training"?


This is one of those public journal posts where I am not sure what I'm trying to say, and hoping by saying it here I can figure it out. I guess the bottom line is, I will be interested to find out Who I Am, in the context of this role, this company and this environment.


It should be very interesting to behold...


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The Voice

Some people close to me have heard this story, but I don't tell it too often because I don't want to go back to the mental hospital, and people tend to think you're crazy when you hear voices in your head.

Well, I don't hear voices, it's just one voice. One Voice, I should say, because it feels like it wants to be capitalized.

This Voice has spoken to me clearly on three separate occasions. It's never been wrong to date.

The first time was when I was about 18-22. I had just walked out of a nearby convenience store and the Voice said, "Go back in there and buy that scratch ticket that had the yellow frame around it" so I did, and it was a $500 winner!

The second time was on my first date with Paul. He told me his last name was Sterling, and the Voice said (with a gasp) "You're gonna marry this guy!". I didn't believe it at the time; I had no plans to marry anybody. But it was right! 4 and a half years later we were married. I had lost my job and health insurance, and we were engaged, and Paul said, "now you have to marry me!" I joke that it was the most romantic thing he ever said to me.

The most recent time was a few years ago when I first started working at BrassRing. Forgive me if I have blogged about this already, it is feeling awfully familiar. My best friend Dianne said to go to Sadies and try their Teriyaki chicken. Well, pulling up to Sadies, before going in there for the first time, the Voice said "someone inside here is going to introduce you to the members of Aerosmith" and, like when it told me I would marry Paul, I basically said to myself, that's ridiculous! But sure enough, I met Casey at Sadies and it was through Casey that I met Joe Perry for the first time. Casey got me invited to an exclusive party in Waltham in honor of the launch of Joe's new flavor of hot sauce, "Mango Tango". Two days later Casey convinced me to go meet Joe again at the Barnes and Noble in Boston, where he was signing Horse books with his wife. Casey and I met Brad together at a guitar shop in Boston, and Casey and I met Tom together at Mohegan Sun. So once again the voice was 100% correct.

I have no idea who it is or where it comes from, but I wish I could get that voice to talk to me more!