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Monday, July 15, 2013

They Wouldn't Dare Drop Me!

Vacation laundry;)

I know it’s been a while since I last posted a blog. It’s not that I intended to stay away for so long. Let’s just say that life has guided me down some new roads. Roads snaking through bombshells, beauty, and blind corners. I’ve barely had time to catch my breath because of the steady stream of—look at thats!—WTFs!—and could it bes? Yes it could be, and I see it, and here I am trying to write about it.

Like the fizz inside a bottle of Perrier, there is so much going on inside of me that I want to tell you about…but I’m not sure how, so I’ll sum it up with a quick metaphor. You all know how I love metaphors;)

Recently I went on a vacation to Orlando with some friends and we visited The Animal Kingdom in Disney where they have an attraction called Mount Everest. Somehow I allowed my thirty something year-old buddy to talk me into going on this ride with her and her mom. She assured us older gals that it was just a train ride to the top where one could get a panoramic view of the entire park. Okay. I knew we were in trouble when our rickety, half-shell of a bucket seat, clickity click clicked up a seemingly endless ninety-degree incline. We braced ourselves, anticipating a quick plunge down the other side, but what we got instead was a drop backwards into a hot dark tunnel filled with the shattering screams of the newly traumatized. As we continued backwards my stomach began to bubble like a vat of fermented pea soup while little beads of panic dotted my green brow.

I had no idea what was coming next or how long the torment would last, so to keep myself from freaking out I focused myself with self-talk: “It won’t last forever. They wouldn’t dare drop you! You WILL NOT barf.”

And I was right.

I held my lunch and the hell didn’t last too long. Just long enough for me to coin the phrase: “Well scare me shitless and turn me green!”

Susan and me shortly after our ride on Everest. Our gills were still green.

So there you have it. My life (and perhaps yours) is like a roller coaster ride. I’m being thrilled one moment, and terrified the next. I’m learning numerous lessons. One of which is that I am not in control and that the uncertainty of each moment is God.

I’m also seeing some things for the first time. Things I thought I knew but didn’t really. Things about others and myself—freeing things that give me wings, silencing assumptions and judgments, leaving the measurer behind, teaching me what love is and what it is not.

Love doesn’t rise and fall with each emotion, nor does it cling or reject, but stands steady and strong. Love doesn’t blame or run away in fear. It is rugged and abiding and wears practical shoes, always ready for the climb. Love trusts me with the truth—no matter how painful that truth may be, and communicates in a kind and direct manner. Only love is real—and it kicks fear’s ass.

Lately I’ve been moved to make some external changes as well. I’ve quit my lifelong addiction to nicotine and left off drinking my daily round of Diet Coke. I miss them both, but have acquired a new appreciation for Chiclets and slightly sweetened iced-tea. These changes were inspired by nothing more than my desire to have better health, plus I’ll never have to feel the pinch of those annoying FB posts: “Aspartame puts the die in Diet Coke.” LOL!

I’m still painting. My art is very Peter Pan-ish, coming from a place inside of me that believes it can fly. It makes me happy. Thank you Julia Fehrenbacher, my dear friend for inspiring my exploration with paints.

Making Leah happy.

And of course I’m writing my second novel and loving my first, Cosette’s Tribe. As a matter of fact, Karen Wojcik Berner, a gifted author and blogger, nominated Cosette's Tribe for Best Novel, and Best Mainstream Fiction, at the eFestival of Words annual competition! Thank you Karen!

If you’d like to vote for Cosette’s Tribe you can do so below. First you need to complete the initial registration. After you submit, there's a “What’s your zip code” message trying to get you to sign up for additional offers. The best way to get around this is to close the page and relaunch the link to vote. Be sure to vote in both categories. Thanks so much for your support!!

Click here Then click on Awards Hall and vote both categories.

I guess that’s it for now. Consider this a “catch up” blog. I have a feeling my blogging is going to be a bit scant for the rest of the summer as I shall be traveling in August. I will check in, but in the meanwhile give me a shout out and let me know how your summer is going. And remember to kick fear’s ass because only love is real!!

29 comments:

Elizabeth said...

Loved it! Lol I was looking for a like button. I think I have been spending WAY too much time on Facebook. :)

Leah Griffith said...

LOL! Elizabeth. Yes like buttons have become a big part of our lives. That and status updates. Thanks for visiting my blog Elizabeth <3

Karen Wojcik Berner said...

Wow, Leah. Congratulations on quitting smoking AND Diet Coke. Those are HUGE changes. Glad to hear you are working on your second novel. No pressure, but know I will eagerly anticipate it.

As for my summer, I am working on the third Bibliophiles novel. Right now, I am building Thaddeus' world and backstory, which is great fun.

Thanks so much for the shout out. It was my pleasure to nominate "Cosette's Tribe." Such excellent writing must be discovered. I hope that this nomination and ((fingers crossed)) perhaps win will bring Cosette the exposure she deserves. Good luck!!!

Oh, and I am totally ready to kick fear's ass!!!!!!!

Cperz said...

I voted for you in both categories and you have quite a lead on your competition. Yay for you!!!

Blog whenever you can...I will be waiting.

Julia said...

Dear Leah. Mount Everest sounds like quite a ride! I've always loved roller coasters - I think riding one with you would be a sacred experience (even if you did lose your lunch). xo

I really don't have the words for how happy I am that you have found painting (or that painting has found you). When I look at your art my heart fills up with sunshine & smiles.

YOU are magical, my friend. I love & appreciate you so much. Thank you for getting naked with me - you are stunning without clothes on. :)

Leah Griffith said...

Thanks Karen. Well, actually I quit smoking about 15 years ago and went on nicotine gum. I've been chewing the gum ever since. So...I guess I've quit chewing, but believe me it has not been easy.

Karen, I am sure you are having a blast working Thaddeus' world and backstory. I can already see a little bit of you in him;) Can't wait to dig into book three of the Bibliophiles. I wanna join their group.

I'm hoping that my novel gets a boost of attention from this competition. I always thought that writing a book would be the tough part. Boy was I wrong. Writing was fun. Marketing sucks...as does fear, so I'm glad you're kicking its ass!

Leah Griffith said...

Cheryl, you have such a quiet strength about you. Thank you my friend.

Leah Griffith said...

Julia, I would ride a coaster with you. Just not one that goes backwards. Backwards and circles make me want to ralph. LOL! We could be coaster sisters;)

I keep reminding myself about what you said about painting. Ignoring the fear of not good enoughs and who do I think I ams. Just do it and have fun. No judging. No stress. Thank you!

Getting naked with you and the ladies was an incredible experience. How beautiful we all are! Naked is the only way to be. Utterly and completely naked! *grin

Dangerous Linda said...

HI, Leah! ~

I agree with this: "One of which is that I am not in control and that the uncertainty of each moment is God."

But, I DO NOT LIKE ROLLER COASTERS!

LOVE your painting too!

My lap top battery's about to die...XOXO

Leah Griffith said...

LOL! Linda Lee! Yeah, I don't care for going backwards or in circles. Roller coasters don't usually bother me. I guess things change when we age. Hmmm. I don't even like typing that. LOL!

Go plug in you laptop;)
Love you!

Martha Jane Orlando said...

Leah, you are much braver than I - I abhor roller coasters, but agree that this roller coaster ride called life is best met with love and allowing God to take the helm. I really like the image of love kicking fear's ass, too. :)
Voted for your book a while back and praying you win, my dear. You deserve it!
Love and blessings!

Marie Loerzel said...

Love does wear practical shoes...LOVE IT! I'm so proud of you for giving up smoking and diet coke. I want to read your writing for a long, long healthy time to come! Oh and I so would have barfed....

Leah Griffith said...

Thank you Martha! I don't mind roller coasters as long as they go forward. LOL! That one was brutal! Blah!

Big hugs and thank you for your vote.

Leah Griffith said...

Marie, I actually gave up smoking 15 yrs ago but turned to nicotine gum. I've been chewing it ever since. So, my lungs have been pink for a while but I still felt that ingesting nicotine was not healthy. I miss it. LOL! If I have anything to say about it I intend to be around for quite some time.
<3

Melissa Tandoc said...

I love your writings and experiences Leah. You always have something fresh to share.

I liked two lines in particular:1) that you're 'SEEING' some things for the first time; 2) Only love is REAL.

I commend you for the changes you ~ God is making in your life. I am so happy to hear that you're continuing on your journey with art and in writing your second novel.

THANK YOU for sharing you with us...

Brooke said...

Dear Leah!!!!! Thank you so much for reminding me to get over to your blog! It is a must read for my soul. I am so right there with you on the roller coaster of life, and I find such joy in your synthesis of the journey. It brings me such peace to know we can be slammed around and love is still standing strong. Makes me think of the scene in Contact the movie, where she stops struggling to sit in her seat that was added by engineers to the alien plan, and she lets go, and begins to float peacefully. I think we are trying to shed the man maid fear that says we've got to be strapped in to be safe. Ahhh, your art. Peter Pan. Mmmm. You make my heart sing. Here is to magic. I deeply mean it when I say, I LOVE YOU!

Leah Griffith said...

Melissa, I'm amazed at how much shifting is going on in my life. Thank you for being here with me. You're a loving and generous soul. <3

Leah Griffith said...

Brooke, yes! We can be slammed around and love can still be strong. Love never fails. It sees, which is better than judging and rejecting. Love love love! I love you too and am floating about with you, seeing and being and it is amazing. All of it is amazing.
<3

Sabrina A. Fish said...

Way to go on kicking the smoke and diet coke. I love your roller coaster is a fabulous metaphor for life in general. Life is an adrenaline rush if you'll open your eyes and enjoy it before it zips by and stops!

Ms. Faustus said...

Leah, I run to your latest blog posts like a panting, thirsty little puppy. Tell me, show me, feed me. Your ability to blow raspberries at your stumbles and Biblical depth in sharing your revelations inspires me more than I can say. I have been a huffy little princess and my cheer has flatlined. I have allowed my writing to reflect it because it's my party and I'll cry if I want to. But I don't actually want to, I'm just pretending that the roller coasters around me aren't as exciting as the big one I'm working my way to. Thanks for reminding me that the practical shoes I'm having to wear are climbing towards love.

Leah Griffith said...

Sabrina, I feel much better, although I quit smoking years ago but have been chewing the nicotine gum for forever! LOL! So...glad to be nicotine and aspartame free. I'm learning how to see the moment and live it for all it is worth. Thrills and spills;) And I intend to enjoy it as best as I know how. Isn't that what life is all about? Yeah!
Thanks for visiting!

Leah Griffith said...

Oh Chris, I run for your posts too. I would never dream of interfering with your party. I love a good cry too. But your party has some pretty high highs ahead....woooo! Do you think you stomach can take it? Ha! Of course it can.

Strap on those climbing shoes and get to getting. I'll meet you at the top.
Love!

Healing Morning said...

Well. Now is the moment that I admit that I thought the photo of you and your friend at Everest was THE REAL THING. Yep, I really did think that! Which was why the grumbles on FB where you posted the photo made complete sense to me - I would have grumbled too, if I had had to exert myself w/ no warning! Now that I know it's an amusement park ride, and I was especially blonde, I had to laugh!

Love does save us, yes? In endless ways. With softness or laughter, or a swooping hug, or a breathless moment....a splash of color...a song lyric. Love is just always with us as long as we choose to clear our eyes and recognize it.

Much love to you, sweet girl! I apologize, btw, for just seeing your post on my last blog article today. I didn't receive the regular email notification, but I did reply to you. I also just posted a new article that's a bit of a departure from my normal writing style. If you get a chance, pop over and let me know what you think!

- Dawnie

Leah Griffith said...

Thanks for your visit Dawn. I just got back from your place. You had me in stitches with your directions story! LOL!

Yes, love holds us up and never ever fails. It is there behind the gray, and the tears, always loving no matter what.

Love you girl.

Jayne said...

"...freeing things that give me wings, silencing assumptions and judgments, leaving the measurer behind, teaching me what love is and what it is not."

Utterly relatable, Leah. This month has been a doozy for me, and I'm behind on so much... I hope it's not too late to vote for your Cosette!

Mt. Everest. You conquered it! And you are brave, my dear friend. Incredibly brave. :)

Leah Griffith said...

Jayne, I have a hundred questions for you. I wish we could do one of our lunches and sit across from one another chatting and listening...digging deep for the richness and gold...a hundred burning questions;)

I can't take credit for the bravery as I was tricked into riding. Given the choice I would have said no thank you. LOL!

You still have plenty of time to vote. Go vote;)

Inez said...

Gorgeous!

Bookworm Central said...

This sounds like an interesting book, I'm going to add it to my favourit book list.

Leah Griffith said...

Thanks rakhi, I hope you enjoy it!

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