Locks for Love

Jorjanne has been growing her hair out for a long, long time. Today she finally got it cut for Locks for Love. She had 6 inches cut off. They will sell her hair to doll companies and the proceeds will be used to make wigs for kids with cancer. She was so excited about her new do. She got in the car and said, "Mama, when I get my new glasses, I'll be a new woman." I laughed. She said, "Well, a miniature woman." Guess I don't have a little girl anymore. I have a miniature woman.

90 Days

Well, I've decided to spend the next 90 days building muscle, both physically and spiritually. I started P90X and let's just say I am FEELING THE BURN!!!!! I am also studying Beth Moore's book, 90 Days with the Beloved Disciple. I am sharing this with you so that you can keep me accountable. Too often I have great ideas and plans, but get so busy that they never get accomplished. So, here's what I'm asking you to do. Ask me what I'm learning in my studies and ask me how my workouts are going. I plan to work out 6 days a week for 90 days. The workouts are intense and it will be easy to convince myself to take a break. Don't let me!

Hopefully I'll be a better person inside and out by the time winter rolls around. I want to be the best me I can be!

Phantom -- Will you take off the mask?

Last week I saw Phantom of the Opera for the first time. I don’t know why I waited so long to see such a wonderful piece of art! WOW! I left not only pondering the plot, but also thinking about the masks we wear. Why is it that we feel like we have to hide who we really are for others? I think its because we are afraid. What if others don’t like me? What if they reject me or make fun of me? It somehow seems safer behind the mask

I’ve come to realize that while it may seem safer behind the mask, it is because it builds up walls around our true selves. The longer we wear the mask, the thicker the walls become. I’m convinced that we can’t truly experience love and grace as long as we wear the mask.

Christy saw the man behind the mask. While she did not love the Phantom with a romantic love, she grew to love him nonetheless. Can we truly experience intimacy (I’m talking relational, not physical) with others while wearing a mask? I don’t think so.

This week I’ve had two people I care about deeply risk taking off the mask. As they shared their deep dark secrets, I found my admiration for them skyrocketing. They both endured incredible hardships, yet there faith remains strong. One of the reasons I started this blog, is to bring taboo things out of darkness into the light. For too long, we’ve avoided talking about suicide and mental illness because we didn’t understand. The only way we will ever understand is if we listen to those who struggle and hear what they have to say.

Well it seems to me we have a choice to make. We can continue to hide behind our masks where it is safe and suffer alone or we can dare to be who we truly are. In writing my book, I am taking off the mask. I am sharing personal things that may cause others to judge me. They may reject me. I know its risky, but I’ve never been one to play it safe!