Past Life Regression

In preparing for my upcoming trip to Sedona, AZ, I noticed that there were several listings for people who did past life regression readings. I have always wanted to have a past life regression reading done. I think this desire was inspired by the Indigo Girls song Galileo, "And then I think of my fear of motion, which I never could explain. Some other fool across the ocean years ago must have crashed his little airplane." That song made me think about my fear of the dark and other irrational fears that I have but can't explain. Maybe they are left over from a past life or the knock to the head I received when I was 3.

As a Catholic I was raised to believe when you die your soul goes to heaven and stays there. But is that what really happens? Do you have to stay there forever? Are there an unlimited amount of souls or is there a finite number that get recycled. Or do some souls just decide to try it again? I would think that souls who died young or didn't get to experience life would want another crack at it. Given my propensity to move from city to city, I think I might get bored hanging out in heaven and want to try something else.

I'll let you know how it goes. Hopefully, I was not too scary in any of my past lives.

What Should I Be When I Grow Up

I've now been temporarily retired for a little over a month. During this time I've had some time to consider what I want to be when I grow up.  When I was younger all I wanted to be was an attorney. I wanted to go to law school from the time I was 12 years old. Instead of law school, I went to business school and got an MBA first. I did finally go to law school when I was in my 30's. So now I'm 40 and need to decide what to be when I grow up.

I have worked for big and medium companies, a non-profit organization, a law firm and the government. I have worked in customer service, marketing, law and auditing. So now what? My ultimate goal is to find a job I love to do at a place that I love to work. Is it possible to have a great job at a great company? Or is that rare combination a myth like the Easter Bunny or Tooth Fairy? I have had jobs I've really liked at places I didn't and worked for companies I liked but had a job I really didn't care for.

Is it a quixotic pursuit to try to find both? I don't know but I think the time is right to try. So, my quest is now to find the right job at the right place. I'll worry less about the title and the salary and more about the  quality of the work and the work environment. Look out world I'm on a quest! The right fit is out there and I will find it.

I'm an HGTV-Aholic

I think I have a serious problem. I have become a addicted to HGTV.  I watch it all day, everyday. I've even started to watch some of the lame shows that are on during the middle of the day when no one else is watching.

I first discovered I might have a problem when I started talking to the TV during House Hunters. I have to admit. I've gotten a little carried away when I think the people have picked the wrong house or at least not the house I would have picked.

Now I know I have a problem. I can't get enough. I watch all of the shows. I love Holmes on Homes, House Hunters and HH International, Color Splash, etc. I watch home improvement shows and I don't even own a home. I have lots of good ideas when and if I do ever own a home again. I even bought chalk board paint. I haven't painted anything with it yet but I'm making plans.

To Have or Not to Have Children

It often surprises me that my decision to have or, in my case, not to have children is often called into question by people. I consider myself to be somewhat level-headed, educated and thoughtful. It's not a decision that was made lightly or without much consideration.

It seems to me that a woman's (or couple's) decision to have children is a private decision. However, I often get asked when my husband and I plan to have children.  It's an odd question to ask a stranger or someone you don't know well. I don't ask people how often they have sex or what their family planning methods are.

Social norms (at least in the US) suggest that one should not talk about politics or religion at social gatherings. But it seems that it's completely appropriate to ask about someone's family plans. I can't discuss whether someone is a devout Catholic or if they worship donkeys or if they voted for Obama but for some reason a stranger can question me about my child bearing plans.

What's even stranger is the response I've gotten when I have told people that I don't want children. I had one friend of a friend tell me that I couldn't be a "real woman" until I had experienced child birth. Odd response for a casual conversation at a holiday party. I had another person tell me it was my patriotic duty to have children. Yes, you read that right, patriotic duty. Hmm. I have even heard some right-wing commentators (read nut-jobs) suggest that same thing.

Many times people do not take into consideration that a infertility could be the reason a person does not have a child. It's not like infertility is an uncommon problem. I have known people who have gone through the treatments. It seems like a stressful process that doesn't need to be exacerbated by some nosey person's inquiry.

So if you run into me some day at a party, I'd much rather talk about religion, politics, weather, movies or current road conditions.

Have a great week. Stay tuned for more thoughts from a curly-headed girl.

The Catholic Church and WWJD

I was trying to decide what to lead off with on my first blog post. Should I go tame and talk about the weather or a recent movie or jump right in with some thing juicy? So here goes...

For many years I have been disappointed and saddened by the Church's response to sexual and physical abuse committed by members of the clergy.  I was hopeful that the Church would evolve and take responsibility for the decisions that it made. However, with the recent comments made by the Vatican, I can see this is not about to happen.

The Vatican has now gone on the offensive. Vatican officials attack reports of its role in this abomination instead of taking responsibility and admitting its involvement. A common saying is that the first step to recovery is admitting you have a problem. It's time for the Church to admit that it has a problem, seek forgiveness and fix the situation.

I was trying to think of ways that I as a lay person could help the Church evolve. One thing popped to mind . . . WWJD. Remember those bracelets that were popular several years ago? People wore them to prompt themselves to consider what Jesus would do when they made a decision. My suggestion is that we take a collection and buy enough WWJD bracelets for every Vatican official. Maybe then they could remember one of the Church's found principles - acknowledging sin and asking for forgiveness.

So maybe a bit heavy for a first post. Stay tuned for other thoughts from a Curly-Haired Girl.