Julia K Cole

2011 is only a few hours away now.  As I sit here writing this note-- my final one for 2010-- my mind is racing.  As in times past, I have said good-bye --and in some instances good riddance-- to many people.     It's to be expected.  All a Part of our  life's journey.   2010 is no exception.  But unlike years past, the people I let go in 2010 -- I don't miss.  Could be I've just grown tired of them running in and out of my life willy nilly.  Could be that I just out grown their foolishness and childishness.  And it could be that I didn't like them to begin with and it finally dawned on me to kick their sorry asses to the curb and leave them there!.  Could be a combination of all the above.  hmmmm... could be! I will give them all kudos for bringing into my life --clarity and perspective.  And I am truly grateful for that.  However, it is interesting to experience this...

This note, has by far, been the hardest to write.  I really wanted to write something more whimsical, more aligned and upbeat.  But spirit has pushed me into pouring out my heart -- and I have come to trust they know it is needed -- more than I do. For me, 2010 was also a time for reunions and re-connections of past relationships.  I reconnected with some old school friends and, with my estranged mother.  The following is excerpts from The ZEN of Duct tape: An Empress is Born! The reconnection with my old school mates was brief -- like ships passing in the night.  It was wonderful to see them again.  And it was nice remembering our childhood adventures together.  This  did help me to remember where I came from, and too, showed me how very far I had  come. The reunion with my mother, however, was and continues to be, a real challenge.  She and I never had a good relationship.  I wasn't the daughter she wanted and she let me k...

Our human experience has been, and continues to be, filled with all sorts of life changing moments.  Good, bad or indifferent--these life changing moments bring us ... Clarity ! Clarity is not always welcomed in our lives.  Especially, and in particularly, when it comes through events that are less than pleasant.    As human experiencers, we have clarity coming to us in  a wide variety of ways.  Some good.  Some bad.  Some downright humiliating.  Some even debilitating! But no matter how it comes to us,  no matter  form it chooses to take, rest assured -- when clarity comes -- you will  find yourself in a whole different state of thought and being.  When clarity comes,  we feel that shift -- a literal and physical sensation -- that pulls our consciousness into a whole new awareness.  It is in that moment, we see things so clearly.  It is in that moment where everything and everybody ...

Maybe it was because I have had my fill and finally gave in to my fatigue.  In truth, I have grown weary of the same energy draining people who have come into my life.  Maybe it's because I've grown older -- and yes,  a bit wiser.   There is something to be said about growing old.  Maybe it's because I was actually paying attention this year.  In my defense, I was more alert and aware in 2010. Hmmm ...   Maybe -- just maybe  ...all these wondrous changes and shifts in 2010 was due to all that conscious work I do,  and had been doing,  on my Self.  I mean,  I've been working very hard for years. Truth be told,  centuries -- eons even!!  *LOL* Maybe a combination of all the above?  Maybe! The lessons that have repeated themselves year after year after year (etc., etc.) have finally sunk in. And by the powers of duct tape --in 2010, I do believe I got it!  I finally got it!  Maybe. Natural...

Every year since having this blog, I have posted all the holiday sig tags I have made.    I do this to not just show off my favorite hobby -- but more importantly -- to express my heart to all of you! In celebration of the 2010 Christmas Season -- I am once again posting all my Christmas sig tags! **WARNING**  some of the graphics used are Adult content.   So please use discretion!  

Dearest Santa, When I was a child, I wasn’t allowed to openly acknowledge you.  I grew up in a home that didn’t believe in you, in Christmas or anything magical.  But I want you to know (though I feel you always did) that I believed. I believed despite what my mother told me.  And I believed in spite of what my older brothers and sisters said.  I believed.  No matter what the other children said with respect to your existence.  I believed. Though I was never allowed to say it out loud ... I Believed! After I became an adult and left home, I was finally free to express my beliefs out in the open.   I still meet with all sorts of nay sayers who shout “There is no Santa!“   But Santa … I have to tell you … no matter the opposition … there is no greater feeling than being able to say those two little words … I Believe!  And despite, and in spite of, the nay sayers -- I said it!  And I continue to say it!  I BELIEVE!...

Domestic Violence.   It's Everybody's Business! But how many turn a deaf ear and a blind eye to it?  Sadly too many to count. While the majority of such violence reported involved  women and children, an alarming number of men who are victims go unreported ...  even ignored. "... activists for “men’s rights” have suggested that policy-oriented efforts for women have been misplaced, because they focus entirely on women as the victims of domestic violence .  “men are the victims of domestic violence at least as often as women” (Brott, 1994). " [emphasis added] ( http://new.vawnet.org/Assoc_Files_VAWnet/GenderSymmetry.pdf ) *~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~* And we are not just talking about gay men in this regard.   Hetero-sexual men fall prey to domestic abuse as well.  You don't hear about it very often -- if at all .   Pride and shame prevent many of these men from coming forward.  Shame of not bein...