The Big L

Love. noun, verb [luhv].

• a profoundly tender, passionate affection for another person
• a feeling of warm personal attachment or deep affection, as for a parent, child or friend
• sexual passion or desire

How do you know when it's the big L?
Reading the many different meanings of love, it's easy to become confused! I love chocolate donuts, sunsets, a walk in the park, and I love my kids, my family, my friends.

But I mean the really Big L. Does it happen all at once? Grow slowly over time? or does Love happen by slowly adding layer after layer until there's no escaping it? People sing about it, preach about it, dream about it. We embrace it, we revere it, we're in awe of it, and sometimes we even fear it. It's no secret that I've been married three times already. And at each of those stages of my life, I thought for sure I was 'in love'. Don't get me wrong, in my own way, I loved each of them, the best way I knew how. But -- as its apparent -- none of them were lasting loves. Can love last when you love someone who doesn't love you back equally as strong? It's a thought that's passed through my brain a few times.

The Beatles said : All You Need is Love
The Bee Gees asked: How Deep is Your Love
Carole King sang: Only Love is Real
Dolly Parton sang: Love is Like a Butterfly
Foreigner wailed: I Want to Know What Love Is
Gatlin Brothers think: Love is Just a Game
Linda Ronstadt says: Love is a Rose
Pat Benetar declares: Love is a Battlefield
Whitesnake asks: Is This Love

and my so very recent fav, form a song called "You":
Evanescence sings: Now that you love me, I love myself.

Of course, there are many more songs about love, finding love, lost loves, unrequited love. Lately, I've come to the conclusion that for me, love is finding that bestest friend, someone you can tell everything to; someone who doesn't think less of you for dumb thoughts; someone who will tease you out of a bad mood; someone who will hug you because you need one; someone who encourages you to grow in all directions; someone who will still love you after all that. Impossible to find? I don't think so. Sometimes I think its right under our noses and we just don't know it, can't see it.

Three years ago, out of the blue, and somewhat out of character, someone told me I mean a lot to them. I think that was the moment I started the layers, adding little things every day into this mountain of feelings that can be overwhelming, even intimidating. And yet so powerfully wonderful at the same time! As much as I've equally embraced and fought against these feelings, January was a turning point for me. (Do I send out a thank you for that???) After seeing True Grit, I found this quote:

You have to fight for what you want.
So when you know exactly what it is that you want,
Decide if it's worth it.
When you know it's worth it,
Fight until you've got nothing left.

Does that apply to Love as well? I think so. When something is worth the price, then go for it, with gusto, whole heartedly, and grab that brass ring! Those who know me well, know I'm doing just that! Is it working? It's too early to tell ..... but it has terrific possibilities!!!

Loving HUGS to everyone!!

10 days into it....

10 days into my gym membership, and I'm still going :) I think that's pretty good, considering how bad I hurt after my last session with Amy, my personal trainer. Tuesday's session was quite the workout. After reviewing different moves on different gym machines, most of the workout was focused on two things: things I could do at home when I don't go to the gym, and to see just how far she could push me! haha Tons of leg work, squats with weights or the stretchy bands.

Try this one. Sit on the edge of a chair (not a rolling one!) and holding your arms straight out in front of you, one hand crossed over the top of the other, stand up, keeping your core tight, not bending at the waist. And sit back down the same way. 10 times. Ouchies! ok, take a break, then come back to it, only this time, do it 5 times. Then the next 5, do in slow motion down and up. Feel that? I sure did! After that, we went and worked on step aerobics. She put the step about twice as high as I do at home (nice of her, huh?) After all the chair work, my quads were complaining; when we got done with the step stuff, they were screaming. They screamed through the night, and all the next day even!! wowsa. For the most part, the rest of the week, I worked on cardio. hehehe

I've also definitely decided on a mini vacation for myself. I'm going to southern california for a couple days on/near the beach. I'm pretty excited, because I haven't been on a vacation in a while that didn't involve my kids, or my family. The last time I traveled anywhere, sans family, was .... when I lived in Ohio? and took a drive to Lexington, KY? anything before that would have to be assigned the category "in a previous life". lol

Doing something different and daring shakes up your world! Who knows what this will do in mine (those who know me will know what this means!) ............ Cross your fingers for me!!

HUGGSSS to everyone!