Happy New You in 2022

Sometimes we get so deep on the final day of the calendar year that we become a bit too overzealous. We’re going to lose all of the weight, pay off all the debt, heal all old wounds, get married, have a baby, earn a promotion, etc. Most of what we find unsatisfactory about our present situation…took time to become that way. We can make significant progress in 365 days…just give yourself a break and breathe first before diving in.

If you commit to being grateful, happy, at peace and awesome in this very second, you’re already on the right track. Goals and resolutions are indeed necessary when you know that more is required of your life. Sometimes radical changes are eminent, inevitable and unavoidable. Only you know if you gave this calendar year 100% of your efforts or if you played yourself too small.

If you only existed through most of 2021 versus living your life beyond your own definition of fullness, I ask you…are you satisfied? If you have more issues than Vogue; are you part of the problem? You are definitely an integral part of the solution. As a dear friend once told me in love…”be gentle with yourself.” Love yourself. No, seriously fall IN LOVE with yourself. Most of us do not really like ourselves, let alone LOVE who we are. And this is evident in how we interact with the world.

You can not love me or expect me to love you, if you can’t find one solitary reason why you should love you. I am just a mirror projecting back to you what you are sending out into the world. Are you satisfied with that?

Happy New Year, Happy New

Advertisement

The Show Goes On…

The South Side

East 79th Street

The CTA(#14 & #6)

The Regal Theater

Leon’s BBQ chicken

White Castle’s on Stony Island

Jackson Park Hospital

Jewel Foods

Zayre’s

Venture

Harold’s Chicken Shack (87th & The Ryan)

Dock’s

Long John Silvers

Lake Shore Drive

Museums

Visiting the zoo

Navy Pier

The Sears Tower (no asterisks needed)

Roosevelt Road

Forest Park

Downtown

Shopping

Riding the El; the Blue Line

95th Street

Carson Pirie Scott

Marshall Field’s

State Street

Giordano’s

Walking to and from school

Walking everywhere

River Oaks Mall in the late 80s & 90s

The Chicago Bears

The Chicago White Sox

These are some of things and places that remind me of home

These are some of the experiences I shared with my mom

These are some of the reasons that I love my hometown

Yet without my mom’s physical presence,

It’s only the Second City now

It’s like going to the front door of your home only to find that the key no longer works

Another family has now replaced yours

The show goes on

As do my memories

I visualize her riding the train seated in an empty car

Starring out the window

She looks content and at peace

Does she realize that I still look for her

Devastated that I wasn’t there when she boarded

Understanding Is…

I am in the process of mastering that two-way communication is the gateway to receiving and giving one of the greatest gifts of all…understanding. Assumptions keeps us barricaded on our side; lost in our own wonderland called perspective, thoughts, experiences and beliefs. Extending the opportunity to understand another’s point of view can be akin to the journey to the Land of Oz. Who knows what we will learn by being open to another level of awareness? Who knows…maybe we will even discover that our original perspective was erroneous or lacking critical information. It’s not about being a judge or jury. It is about cleaning out the cobwebs of ignorance and immaturity, and bravely exposing ourselves to another level of consciousness; void of the inherent need to defend anything, or anyone…including ourselves.

Grief is…

Grief is not a mental health issue. It is the acknowledgement that a meaningful presence and Soul has transitioned from this Earth plane. It is the acceptance of things that you can no longer do or say. It is a painful adjustment period. Grief makes you feel like shit and not giving one most of the time. That said, crying, screaming, mood swings should be anticipated. Everyone can’t handle it. And that’s okay. You have the option of taking a time out when the emotions crescendo to an unbearable level for you.

The person in mourning is unable to tap out as easily. So save yourselves if necessary. Grief is a process that forever changes you. There is no cure for “normal” reactions when someone who matters transitions. Period. There is no feeling better about any of this. It’s more realistic to feel less sad as time progresses.

And though the suggestion is well-meaning, please do not recommend therapy unless unless I’m refusing Starbucks, M.A.C. Cosmetics, or have sworn off wearing red lipstick forever. All is well otherwise. When there is nothing left to do or say please pray.

Gratefully,

Stephanie Kay

(RymarkableSteph)

Written 12/2020

Wonderland

I’ve decided to be happy about the snow

Rather than thinking of the pain in the arse it is to drive or commute in

What about the way snowflakes used to dissolve on my tongue when I was a child?

I remember the flakes falling out of the sky, sometimes disappearing as if by magic, never landing on the ground

Perhaps I should care less about how the snow, like rain, can turn my silk press hairstyle into waves in an instant

Now that I’m older, perhaps I get to change the scene

Delete narratives that no longer serve me?

Many of us have never removed the costumes we’ve outgrown

Maybe it’s time to change my mind about certain things

Maybe even about people

Just like I’m choosing to do with snow

Magic and wonder are abundant

Yet these beautiful creatures will only reveal themselves to those who believe and therefore can appreciate their gifts

When I’m in New York City at Christmas time, I secretly believe in a presence often called Santa Clause

I’m convinced there is some semblance of truth to the fairytales

This belief can help us to serve others more generously and compassionately

Or even ourselves

Maybe we were the ones who possessed the magic all along

This could be the true spirit and intent after all

Just to think these revelations were received as a download while watching snow fall