The Beginning

Wow that’s a tall woman! Or Geez she is sooooooooooo tall! How about the forgiving statement – gosh she doesn't look too bad for a tall woman. These are the statements I have heard all my life being said about me – it was tough growing up as the tallest girl in school.

I feel pretty good about myself these days – I actually feel really great about myself ! I love who I have grown into over the years..
It has been a long road becoming the 512Doll (6 foot woman) that I am today.
Let me give you a peek at how a tall gawky ballet girl grows up.
It starts with “how’s the weather up there?” I can’t tell you how many times I wanted to spit and say its raining - Remember High School – or better yet – Jr. High School. I was standing in the middle of the “A” group in the lunchateria when Gene Young ( a very cool boy from the only trailer park in the hood) says to everyone – Geeez look at all the hairs in Cyndee’s nose! Or how I always was barefoot and walked in the gutter when hanging out with the neighborhood kids? In high school it was more of the same but by then I had developed this great sense of humor and made jokes out of it all. The thing was though, I never had a date or went to the prom or had a sweetheart and yep it did bother me.
My nickname was Big Bird (from Sesame Street) – it went on so long the new kids actually thought my name was Roberta!As the years went on I grew into this – 512 Doll standing in front of you – one step at a time. I managed to accomplish many different jobs and lifestyles on my journey. –There was always something missing. Self Esteem.
Funny, maybe I was good looking but who knew? All I saw when I looked in the mirror was a too tall gawky girl from Waverly Ohio.
This where my company Living Dolls Inc was born. Living = Living your Life to the Fullest and Doll is a term of endearment between my sisters and girlfriends – Doll Face.We help women especially, learn to live their life to the fullest through incubators, coaching and self discovery. Our topics run from daily affirmations to the importance of your circle of friends, getting dumped, turning 50, cougars, etc. Want to change your life? We have incubators that consist of the right mix of people to help you write your business plan and get started on your new life we also coach, train provide seminars.
All this from the tall gawky ballet girl from Waverly Ohio.

What if?
Last night I went to see the movie "Letters to Juliet"with an open mind and a hopeful attitude as I love the leading lady - Sophie,( Amanda Seyfried), that was also the daughter - Sophie - in"Mamma Mia". There was no reference stating that this was the same character that moved from one movie to the other but it didn't seem to hinder the plot at all.
Although a predictable movie, I found it quite charming and it left me filled with the hope that there is a chance for us middle-aged women that feel like they missed the love boat. The question - What if? - is still heavy on my mind and in my heart. Life flies by so quickly. One day you look up and you realize that you have spent a quarter of a century in a business relationship or a loveless marriage or just wandering around living without the feeling of complete love and friendship. The message is so needed and that is why I think every woman should see this movie and get a renewed look at the possibilities the universe has to offer.
The movie is about an American girl on a pre-honeymoon with a self-indulgent man who is preoccupied with Italian products that he is buying for a new restaurant that he is opening. She finds that she has lots of free time and wanders into the fictional lover's Verona courtyard and finds a letter that was written in 1957 but never found. The story unfolds from there when she finds the author of the letter and talks her and her grandson into finding the long-lost lover referenced in the note.
Like I said, I found it delightful, fulfilling, and the predictability comforting. The feelings of hope are here to stay and I may take the step to find a lost love one of these days:)
What if you had a second chance to find true love?

Instructions for Freedom

If you haven't read it yet, read "Eat, Pray, Love" by Elizabeth Gilbert. It's a story about one woman's journey of self-discovery -- first to Italy to enjoy sensuality, love of self and good food; next to India to discover her spiritual centre; and then to Indonesia to tie them all together. It's a great book.
In one chapter, she's at an ashram in India. She is instructed to go to the roof of the ashram, watch the stars come out, and to come back down again when she can let go.Here are her Instructions for Freedom:
1) Life's metaphors are God's instructions.

2) You have just climbed up and and above the roof. There is nothing between you and the Infinite. Now, let go.

3) The day is ending. It's time for something that was beautiful to turn into something else that is beautiful. Now, let go.

4) Your wish for resolution was a prayer. Your being here is God's response. Let go, watch the stars come out -- on the outside and on the inside.

5) With all your heart, ask for grace, and let go.

6) With all your heart, forgive him, FORGIVE YOURSELF, and let him go.

7) Let your intention be freedom from useless suffering. Then, let go.

8) Watch the heat of day pass into the cool night. Let go.

9) When the karma of a relationship is done, only love remains. It's safe. Let go.

10) When the past has passed from you at last, let go. Then climb down and begin the rest of your life. With great joy.