I Love Miracles

I had a weekend off. I know, I know...I was shocked too. The kids and were so excited to have a couple of days together, we decided to celebrate Julian's birthday all weekend. (He will be 11 on Wednesday). Julian asked if we could go down to Escondido (about a 45 minute drive) and eat at our favorite sandwich shop. The deli is called "Vinnie's", and Vinnie happens to be a friend of mine from the old days. I agreed, so we picked up Julian's buddy and drove down to Escondido.

Next door to Vinnie's is a tiny community theater called "Patio Playhouse". Patio was where I met my first husband, I used to do shows there 20 years ago. This is a new location for them, and I had never seen inside their new space. When we got to Vinnie's, I saw that Patio's door was open. I just had to peek inside. I walked in and saw three people sitting in the house discussing something, when they saw me they asked, "can we help you?" and I told them I used to do shows there many years ago. The man asked, "what is your name?" I said "Lisa DiClemente" and he stood up and shouted "OH MY GOD LISA IT'S PATRICK!!!" I had not recognized him, but it was my old theater buddy Patrick McBride. Patrick has been all over the country doing theater, but has settled back into his hometown and is directing a show at Patio. Patrick is no longer 18, he is a man...funny how that happens. We laughed about being in our 40's and I told him I would love to audition for any upcoming shows. He gave me a pamphlet and said they have a website: http://www.patioplayhouse.org/ It was so exciting to be there, I can't tell you...like my life's blood had returned to my veins. I looked at the pamphlet while I ate my lunch and saw that another friend of mine was directing the next show in a few months. I went home and found her e-mail address on the Patio Playhouse website. We have e-mailed back and forth and I cannot tell you how excited I am to be in touch with these people again.

Patio Playhouse also has a Youththeater group which would be awesome for my kids to get involved in. Again, I am not sure about the commute, it is a long way to drive, but I feel in my heart that this is a good thing. I have been asking God for help and to guide me in a direction...I just love miracles.

Physical Illness is Your Body Telling You Something

It is quite common to think of illness as a common part of life. We have all said things like, "the flu is going around", or "heart disease runs in my family". We accept it as something we don't have control over, and as long as you continue to think that way it will be true. The Universe is great that way. It WANTS you to be right, so YOU ARE!

In the past when I would get sick, it would make me angry. "I DON'T WANT TO BE SICK!" I would proclaim. And as years went on, my goals to beat illness became stronger and stronger. I never want to be sick, and I don't want my kids to be sick...so I keep working toward a healthier lifestyle. But it takes a lot of research and wisdom to find out what that really means. Currently, my diet isn't the greatest, but I do take vitamins, herbs and drink water instead of juices or soda pop. I don't exercise, but I am active. I make time for things that are important to me, like singing, taking a healing bath and keeping in close contact with my friends and family. I talk to my kids. I don't brush them aside, I pay attention to their quirks, their interests, their mood swings, their friends. I am not perfect. I work WAY too much. Do I still get sick? Yes. Sometimes...but check this out...now I can look at my symptoms and KNOW WHY I am sick.

I use my body as a gauge of my emotional health. I know that if I have a sore throat, I have something I need to say or something spoken that needs to come out. When I catch a cold, start sneezing...I know I am afraid of something that makes me sad. Recently I have experienced vertigo, which tells me I am feeling disoriented and unfocused, out of control.

I will write more about this as time goes on, it is a Pandora's box of information. I learn more and more about myself as I explore the meaning behind symptoms and illness. Stay tuned...