A GLIMPSE OF MY FUTURE

When I was 24, I had my first 'real' glimpse of my future! I saw this:

and made it my goal to one day own a coffee lounge on a Caribbean Island.
What can I say, my dream came true! I had to tweak the above picture to see my vision happening (minus the beach, the water and the palm trees)- nevertheless, I operated my coffee lounge in the exotic location of Bussum in Holland-  I felt so excited, uplifted and motivated by my experience that I even wrote a book about it!

Yesterday, at the wrong end of 40, (that's how Jackie Collins would describe me) I had a glimpse of my 'other 'future- this one is definitely not a dream. This one is going to happen, sooner or later - and this 'bitch' is going to hit regardless of where I will be living!  There will be no escaping from it, the only question is , how hard, how sweaty and how uncomfortable will it be when it arrives?  THE MENOPAUSE!
And no, when I saw my future yesterday I wasn't motivated, inspired or excited about to prospect of writing a book about it.

During my Tuesday networking event in Mission I sat across Tracey.
The temperature in the coffee bar was just fine, not too cold, not too warm. All of a sudden Tracey pulled up her long hair and started fanning herself. As I was just making eye contact with my vis-a vis Randy, I only wondered why she was fanning herself. She kept on fanning, all red in her face by now- Like a good sport, with a smile on her face, she explained herself:  these flashes are merciless, they arrive without warning, stay as long as they want to and disappear again.

To me this sounds like a cruel joke of nature! If certain religions want us to believe that God created Man and Woman, he must have been tipsy when he created Eve- or at least didn't think his project through properly. Why does HE want to inconvenience us over and over again? We are the ones who carry and deliver the future!
We should have eternal beauty and wisdom- not stretch marks, wrinkly skin, over elasticated tummies or fat thighs.

Thank you Tracey though for the glimpse into my future! I know full well I am not getting any younger- but the menopause?  I just called my mom to find out when her flashes begun: With 55! Hurrah, I bought myself a few more years. In this instance I want to believe the old saying like mother, like daughter!

TRUE RELIGION

The biggest mysteries growing up were the neatly dressed men and women standing on street corners, holding up a copy of 'Watchtower'. They never talked to us, we never talked to them. Mom always hustled us along, telling us (my brother and me) they are 'weirdos'. Sometimes, these neatly dressed people rang on our door bell - only to get the door shut back firmly into their faces once it was opened.



These humans remained a big question mark for all these years -  until recently that is. Blame it on curiosity, too much time on my hands, the Christmas spirit, my ongoing quest to learn something new or the simple fact that Canadians are so friendly, I opened our door to let Jehova's witnesses into our house and into my life!

I am receiving a weekly, complimentary bible discussion. All my questions are  answered in the comfort of my own home.



So far we covered the main differences between them and me: e.g. no birthday parties for them, a big bash for me.

No Christmas celebration for Jehova's witnesses, they don't recognize December as the birth month of Jesus - my religion said yes to the date and I will bring it on, year after year.

I got enlightened about the reason why we get old and must die - in the biblical sense that is. It has something to do with what Eve did to Adam in Paradise. (Ladies, it rings true to this day and age: We have the power to break or make a man! Be wise and very careful on how to use this power!)

They triggered my memory on the 'fact' that Satan stands for 'the opposer'. Satan,  a fallen angel from Gods own crew.



Furthermore they let me into the WHY, WHEN and WHAT will happen next.

It is all fascinating stuff. Years of religious education from school is coming back to me. I am not sure if the ladies are on a mission to convert me - I put the cards on the table from day one: No converting, just talking!  But if they are, they are doing a good job of  'selling' me GOD. Religion is truly a funny topic, we are all looking for the same things, we just use different vehicles to get where we want to be!

So far, I made only one mistake along the road to a 'different truth': I called my parents! I shared the good news that they don't need to worry about the neatly dressed people anymore. They are no bogy men! Big mistake! Now, I am responsible for their sleepless nights and nightmares. They are convinced "I will get seduced and lulled into the big religious trickery where one submits ones own free will and becomes a slave of the belief". Their words, not mine!  Where did they read that one? They are worried I might leave husband and kids in exchange for standing on street sorners, holding up a little brochure.

 We fear and judge what we don't know about! Interesting, isn't it? I better don't tell them I started reading  "Dianetcs" by L.Ron Hubbard...

By all means, I am not extra-ordinary by letting Jehova's witnesses into my home. If a rabbi would knock I would talk to him too, as well as anybody else who holds a different belief for that matter. Being extra-ordinary is more about being curious about something new and different - and to keep an open mind to accept or reject it into ones own life.

True Religion? For some it is expensive denim - or-  whatever makes us happy!