A Must Read for You
Good bye 2010.
You started evil, included the worst summer in my over 30 years of life. Like any roller coaster, there are hills and valleys, thrills and disappointments. The journey teaches lessons as it goes, as long as we are willing to learn.
The Top 10 Lessons of 2010 will be covered on MJSchrader.com. The first post in the series will run January 2nd. But that is my professional blog, while some of the lessons were personal, I tried to cover professionally. If you are here, you are wanting my personal side. Thank you for followed me for 8 years through all the blog changes.
First the negative
The year started bad, part of the ceiling in my garage collapsing on the first day. Then the year went average other than low income until June 1st, starting the summer from h*ll. My grandmother had unrecoverable stroke, 3 lumps confirmed in Grandaddy’s lungs, treatments are not an option. Rats trashed my garage, weeks of poisoning meant dead stinking rats in my walls during a hot summer, a constant reminder. My dog developed a food allergy, my cat a urinary problem, the plumbing problem. Grandmother died. We worried Grandaddy was going to die. Funeral stuff. My closest friend, knowing my history, turned it against me, attacked me verbally, (attacking my life, boyfriend, and I in January) then disappeared when I asked for help. No other close friends locally. I missed Unseminar 8, WordPress business crashed, Energy biz crashed. People who knew some, how flow was constant, who wondered how I bared it, often I did too. Others stepped in with tons of advice without knowing what was happening, my personality or needs, when what I needed was friends not advice. Money went from tight to even tighter, and then…
and then….
The Good
Vicki seemed to call the times I needed a friend the most. She is more powerful than she knows. Kelly stood beside me, a bright light in the storm. My mom understood, both her and Dad encouraged my dreams. Ethan and Jan offered love. Tam and Rhonda offered gentle guidance that anchored my soul. Fred is my heart and allowed me to step away from the storm. Many of my Unseminar friends (Karen, Kate, Barb, Ann, and others) started contacting, reaching and, guiding me. The Maestas family took me in as my own family shrinks.
Allison, Bonnie, Brenda, Brandi, Holly, Jacqui, Stacie, Steph, SSSemester and many bloggers went from being people I knew, to reaching my soul and heart. The McNana family gave an online family.
Offline, Tayelor and I enjoyed many cups of tea together. Kandi and Leora asked me to share lunch and understanding my tight budget. Susan P and Susan S appeared at the same time, both beautiful radiant souls. Tony gave inspiration. Prince was and is Prince. Keli, Heath and other classmates offered comfort. Then the jump back into SOC that brought more love than before. So many more… so much. Thank you.
Thank you for everything…
my budget may still be tight but…
I have all the riches in the world…
I have all the riches in the world…
I have ALL the riches in the world…
For all I lost, I gained so much more, there was more to this post… stuff about other changes, but the only note that matters currently is love. To everyone reading this, to everyone
Thank you for giving me more than money can ever buy. You are all rockstars.
May your inner rockstar shine with more light than you ever knew was possible.
I Love You!
MJ Schrader
Read More17 A Book That Changed My Views
Today is another of the 30 Days of Truth Prompt for Day 17 → A book you’ve read that changed your views on something. Yes the last post was 14, I got out of order. 15 & 16 were basically the same so I skipped 16. Next is Day 18 → Your views on gay marriage, that will be January 4th.
Personally I believe every good book should change your views. Even fiction should change your views on things, such as it may change how you view vampires who sparkle rather than reduce to ashes in the sun. Blade vs Cullens…
Okay, maybe not about sparkly vampires….
You still can learn about interactions between people. Perhaps it might change what you think about a religion, a particular people, or how you act with your family or friends. You should always be learning. If you are not learning you are not living.
Is there a book that impacted you more?
Well, there’s a horse of a different color…. In that case, I must confess to 4 Hour Work Week by Tim Ferriss. While not all of the book is practical there are a lot of life lessons to be had. Developing a business so you can continue to work overtime and never be able to leave it (especially if you can’t even leave it for a vacation) is not a practical solution.
80/20 Rule
It also taught me a great deal about the 80/20 rule. While I had heard of it, I never really put the rule together with life. In it 20% of what bothers you, causes 80% of your pain. Therefore by reducing or eliminating that 20% you decrease your pain.
Relax now
He also pointed out the importance of mini retirements. Taking time throughout life to retire and learn from those retirements rather than to wait. This is brilliant wisdom because we have no guarantees and this means we get to enjoy life as we are able.
These are incredibly simple concepts yet we focus on the wrong details through much of life. I can’t say the book changed my view, but gave me greater understanding. Also there is much of the book that depends on different circumstances. But “knowledge is to know that a tomato is a fruit, but wisdom is to know not to put one in a fruit salad.“ This means understanding what will work for you.
Learn, Read, Love,
MJ Schrader
Read More14 ~ I Feel Deceived
Whoops I got out of order… I skipped Day 14 and 15 of 30 Days of Truth. Day 14 prompt is → A hero that has let you down. (letter) Day 15 and Day 16 are basically the same. So I will cover Day 14 today and Day 17 → A book you’ve read that changed your views on something on December 30th.
While I am supposed to write a letter to a hero who has let me down, the problem is I have been mostly realistic, even as a kid realizing that people make mistakes. There are people I called hero and decided that they no longer were worthy of that kind of ranking. There is a recent disappointment however.
Dear …. ,
You called me, saying “Don’t worry. I won’t let you fail.” I said, “This is my insurance payment.” You insisted, you’d help. You told me I was over-thinking. You are like family, your family said trust you, you gave me a list of people to contact, so …
Days later, my first prospect wants rates. You tell me where to look. I look. That state won’t be covered for days. Making me appear a minor fool in front the prospect, then major fool moments later when I realize there are NO plans to cover that area. The people you told me to contact are not in areas covered. Where I have friends is not covered.
I am getting frustrated. You say you’ll call, you tell me to learn better sales techniques. The policies and procedures says, I can only talk to people I know, who aren’t in areas that are covered, I can’t write about it and nor use social media.
After a month I tell you I feel abandoned and deceived. You called before, a couple times. Then none of the areas you said were covered are. You said you would call and never did. Your only offer to help is to talk to your upline. You act upset, like I didn’t try, because I refused to call a my boyfriend’s nephew whom I barely know and with whom I want a good relationship. Yet I tried, but I feel deceived… You knew this was my insurance payment and you offer to teach me better sales techniques when I can only sell to people I know and no one is in the areas. I respected you. I put my trust in you. Your family said you would not let me fail…
you failed me.
It also means you do not respect how I feel about someone. The importance of being able to make money to see him was explained. I wonder if you cared about me at all. Love is my rule, so I love you, but this does not mean trust …
Now, I went back to an old job. Could you surprise me and support me in this? Even better participate? It would help renew my faith in you.
Love,
MJ
Read More16 ~ I can not live without Love
Welcome to another of 30 Days of Truth Prompt Day 16 → Someone or something you definitely could live without.
There are a great many things that I think I could not live without. Once again when I think about what I could not live without, then I think about the similarity that runs through them. What I can not live without is something no one can live without, despite what people may say publicly.
What I can not live without, what you can not live without, is one simple word…
LOVE.
Mom – I love my mom. 10 days without being able to talk to my mom regularly while she was attending her mom’s funeral in the tech phobic town Malone, made me miserable.
Friends – People I called friends disappearing when I asked for help, made me sad. I felt like I had been abandoned and even felt hated.
A Dog – The times I have not had a companion dog, made me a bit empty. While I did not have to have a dog, it was this
Yet each of these I can not live without because I miss the love. I want love. All this time, like in the song mentioned in the previous, it is all the love you give has all been meant for you. In my search for love, I looked outside of myself yet it is in fact the biggest treasure ever and yet it is hidden in plain sight right here… inside of myself. And it is this way with you as well, so while you may miss things or people you might be surprised at how often it is because you miss the love…
Living, Laughing, Learning,
Love,
MJ Schrader
PS Day 17 → A book you’ve read that changed your views on something.
Read More13 ~ Dear Moody Blues ~ 30 Days of Truth
Another 30 Days of Truth Day 13 Prompt ~ A band or artist that has gotten you through some tough days. (write a letter.) I wrote 2 Letters…
Dear Moody Blues,
My parents loved your music, both in words and music. The words always seemed to carry significance and there was always something that moved me. When I was young there were lines that just seemed to echo in my soul and help me feel more in tune with the world. My mind oft races and your music slowed that feverish pace.
Moody Blues Available on Amazon
As I got older, the tunes, upbeat, rhythmic, slow, melancholy, always seemed to be right to help me sift through whatever thoughts were consuming me. Then this past year I noticed, or rather realized how often your lyrics are laced with love, far more often than the average group. In broken hearted and sadness, even in anger your songs whisper love. Love is the only thing that matters and makes this world a better place.
If we stopped focusing on pain, hunger, who has what, or what we do not have, and instead focused on love the world would change. …
And when you stop and think about it
You won’t believe it’s true.
That all the love you’ve been giving
Has all been meant for you. ~ Justin Hayward
Question From Question of Balance
I would love to meet you probably never will, but thank you for being a teacher. ~ MJ
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
NOW: A letter to a musician I know
Dear Lydia Ashton,
We have not met in person, yet your heart shines bright. In many ways you reconnected me with my heritage and family long gone. Yes you are Swedish, but your name reminds me of my grandmother’s sister Lydia, which is why I introduced myself to you. Now hearing your traditions, you remind me of their German heritage.
LydiaAshton.Tv
Your music has touched my soul, both making me smile and bringing me to the edge of tears. Now as you score films, I am amazed at the power behind your music. Although I think “Here we go again” will always be my favorite.
Over the summer I lost close friends, yet with emails and other electronic media you kept a light shining as a lighthouse upon the rocky shore. My boat seemed so fragile then, yet you and other spirits helped me patch the boat and it is even stronger than ever.
Your children are beautiful, inside and out. The stories of their unique and amazing spirits makes me all the more amazed at you and Nathan. Lydia, thank you for being a musician, and a friend. ~ Love, MJ
Leave Me from Daros Films on Vimeo.
Live, Laugh, Sing, Love
MJ Schrader
PS Tune in December 20th for Day 14 → A hero that has let you down. (letter)
Read More12 ~ No Clean House Awards ~ 30 Days of Truth
Welcome to another of 30 Days of Truth Prompt for Day 12 → Something you never get compliments on.
Unfortunately on this one, I will go with a clean house. I have a fairly neat house. My desk does have it’s odd assortment of piles and currently my table. But keeping clean requires dusting and sweeping dust, and vacuuming of dust.
I hate dust.
More importantly my body hates dust.
Click to Get Maid Ducky
When I was younger, the dust would make my face itch. Then I’d scratch it with my hands and nails, which would scratch my skin just enough for the dust to enter my skin… and my face would turn blotchy red. Now I have learned to rub my face on the back of my hand. But it stars with my face itching, then my eyes and nose. Then starts the sneezing and sniffling. Then my face starts itching more, and my eyes feel like they are on fire….
This is when I wash my hands, and arms, and face and start over.
I vacuum, sweep and dust, but frankly I will not win awards, unless someone is willing to offer me a million dollars to clean my home… Please feel free to pay me a million dollars for a clean home. I will do so for you.
Otherwise, the goal is to make enough money with writing, the design business, and card business to hire cleaning help twice a month. At which time, I will take my allergic self somewhere else to write.
Live, Dust, Sneeze,
MJ Schrader
PS Day 13 will be December 16th A band or artist that has gotten you through some tough days. (write a letter.)
Read MoreA Memory Shared
My parents and I moved in with Dad’s parents before my brother was born. They were looking for a place to live in Texas, but it was also the last two years of my Grandmother’s life. The memories I have are vague as she died in April 1977 just before Ethan was born.
She was determined. She was not supposed to live to see her 5th birthday, because she had gotten so ill (possibly scarlet fever). It damaged her body and kidneys. She was not supposed to live to see my dad’s 5th birthday, and she survived until a month before my 5th…
Her parents and eldest siblings came over from Germany in 1905, so there is a strong tie to Germany. That being said, they moved to the US to become Americans, not German-Americans. So she spoke German, but not often around us. There were little German reminders, such as teaching me “Oh Tannenbaum” instead of “Oh Christmas Tree.” Too many years have passed for me to sing it anymore.
Back then, there were family Christmas parties. These were her side of the family, so the German heritage showed more during these special events. While they used mostly English, terms of endearment were German, especially with children, of which there were very few. They sang “O Tannenbaum” and “Stille Nacht” (Silent Night). There were a few special dishes from Germany, but more often German twists on conventional, such as adding apples to the stuffing. But there was this “Christmas” smell, a German smell of….
Orange, spice, and molasses.
Lebkuchen
You might say like gingersnaps but with orange. She made a cookie that had this smell. My memories are faulty as I was so little. My memories recall stars and icing laces, but stronger than anything was the smell.
Then over Thanksgiving, the sister in law of “that guy in NM” offered me a cookie from a specialty bakery and suddenly I was sitting on the floor in the breakfast room, the bar blocking most of my view of the kitchen. While I couldn’t see much of my Grandmother and Mom in the kitchen much, I could smell the wonderful orange, spice and molasses. With that box, all I could think about was Grandmother’s cookies. Since I was full, I intended to get a cookie the next day, but forgot. The problem with too many choices.
The cookies are Lebkuchen, but no one has her actual recipe. Actually there are a couple of recipes the family wants but we do not have. A few years ago I looked for “Pink Stuff” and came across something my family loves. We are still looking for a Cranberry Relish recipe.
However, with a little help from friends, we found a similar recipe. After some variations from memory my kitchen smelled of Lebkuchen (Lebkuchen Recipe). The major variation was making icing with confectioners sugar and orange juice (instead of water). The recipe was “it.” Exactly what I remembered, more importantly what my parents remembered.
It brings back warm memories. The family parties are gone. The sisters are gone, only one brother remains. As my blood family disappears, I felt the need to revive a memory.
Now I share it with my new family. You, my friends, and the family in NM.
Leben Sie, Lachen, Liebe, (live, laugh, love)
MJ Schrader
PS Two videos, so you can hear the songs in German.
PPS Look forward to the next of the 30 Days of Truth on the 12th.
O Tannenbaum
Stille Nacht
Viva La Vida
Welcome to my personal blog. This blog in various forms and formats has been in existence since 2000. As for why this is called Viva La Vida, it means "live the life" in Spanish, but it is a salute to living life to the fullest. And my hope is that you will live life to the fullest!
This is my personal blog! So viva la vida with me!!