Lonely Towel

I waited as she mindlessly reached for me once more. I am still a little damp from yesterday.
She washes me along with the others about every five days. She never says thank you, but she does straighten me out quite often and makes sure I have other colorful towels to 'hang' with. (She's a little OCD.)

Today I have decided to make a run for it. Many times, while at the local laundromat, I have noticed this other woman and her laundry. Everything looks so nice and she folds every piece perfectly as she removes it from the dryer. She has the cutest little hand towels too, with embroidery on them and some even have initials. (My owner would never think of that.)

This is my plan. It is simple, but it will work.

I jump into the washer with the 'others' as I normally do. I'll do my thing, get cleaned up, rinse and even go into the dryer. But, as she reaches in to pull us out, I will cling tightly to the side and roof of the cylinder in the darkest part! She doesn't really look or feel around anyway- she's too bored to care if we make it out or not.

Now, if I can only get the lady with the nice towelettes to use this dryer. Here she comes. Woops, she's turning around. She forgot something. She dropped a pink sock. Shoot, someone else is coming. He looks mean and really dirty! THOSE clothes are not even clean! "Don't come near this dryer!", I yell. "Can you hear me!" Phew! The lady just came back and asked the man if she could use the dryer I'm in so she can sort and fold at the nearby table. He said yes! Hmmm.... nicer than he looks. I am obviously not thinking clearly. This family swapping is intense.

Well, that's pretty. Who would have thought to match orange, green and blueberry on a purple background for a table cloth? Ooh, and there are some socks. Nice... Good taste so far. There are those cute little towelettes for the bathroom. (I am sure we will be spending a lot of time together.) And what is this? A fabric softener. This woman really is so thoughtful. My owner- I mean former owner- could really take some lessons here.

Hours later- Dry at last and on the nice new towel rack. Pretty bathroom. Gold sink and faucets; Kohler. Porcelain tub with matching gold bear claws. A pretty shade and matching fancy napkins for guests to look at while they are finishing up. Boy, this is the life! "Oh! Here comes someone. Wait...flush...wash...good...inspect hands...good...and......nothing.

"Hey! Don't use those napkins! Use me!" Oh, there's a knock at the door and another person entering. This must be quite a party. This is going to be great! I will finally get some respect and the proper use I've been waiting for. "No! Don't use those. Those are too pretty and can only be used once and then thrown away. Don't you care about the environment?" Maybe the next one.

Counting- 18 people, 3 wine spills, a bit of cake on the lady's blouse and not one use? What is this place- a museum for towels?

One week later. Still hanging here. Not a use or a straightening. Apparently I am just an ornament. Boy, I wonder what washcloth and bathmat are up to at the old place? I am sure she has managed to get mud all over them from her work boots and more hair clogged in the sink. What a messy Marvin. Oh, and that poor little hand towel hanging all by himself now. He is probably taking a ton of abuse without me there; wet and all crinkled up. I sure miss that place. I wonder if I'll ever get used again? I wonder if they know I'm gone. I wonder who of us will become the husband's next car cleaning rag? Oooohhhhh! What was I thinking? Why did I ever leave?

Fall- 3 months later. Apparently I no longer meet the requirements for this season's decor. Yawn. I guess it's into the guest closet for me. At least I can get some sleep in the dark for once, as long as the tablecloths keep to themselves. Wait, no. I am heading towards the laundry basket for a routine cleaning! Could it be possible? Am I headed back to the laundromat? No... Yes... Hooray! Now, if I can only figure out how to get back to my Marilyn...

(Marilyn) "I can't help it. I know it's only a towel, but each time I go to the laundromat I still look for it. It's been months, but it was my favorite one. Maybe today will be the day I find it..."

You can't always get what you want...you know the rest.

So today I realized that this last year is exactly what I asked for. I just did not know it while I was going through it. I did say I needed a break. I got it. I wanted to try running my own training consulting business. I kind of sort of did it. I needed to do some shaking up of some existing notions- Well, I got a huge dose of humility and patience; two things we cannot live without and need to be reminded of often. I also observed my stress management abilities in action (good and bad). I said I would not take the wrong job and hopefully in the next month I will have the right one. I am following my passion. I may have to move, but the places I am looking are very good spots for me.

Following your bliss is a tough road as we all know. The stress can easily deter us back to where we feel safe. Persistence and bravery is a must. Though having those skills does not mean we will actually execute well. Some days people say to me, "Oh, you are doing so great. I would have caved by now!" Thank you. I have caved, several times- you just haven't seen it or I lied with a big smile on my face. Fake it 'till you make it really does work.

What has saved me from public caving? Private caving with family and friends, a lovely yoga retreat for 5 days, training for a 1/2 marathon at the suggestion of my friend, blind support from Majid, and a new routine I adopted from my Dad.

• Each morning read a little something inspiring and write to that OR
  
• Write 10 things I am grateful for
• Write my 10 intentions for the day

Here are mine for Thursday, May 29, 2008:

Thankful for:

1. My nephews
2. My fingers and toes
3. My health
4. God and the universe
5. Family and friends
6. Good books you can get lost in when you need a reality break
7. Breathing
8. I have $ in the bank
9. I live in a beautiful place
10. Laughing

Intentions:

1. Be aware
2. Be flexible- like a palm tree swaying, rather than a stiff tree
   
3. Try not to judge- people are doing the best they can with the knowledge they have
   
4. Look up
5. Be proactive- just do it
   
6. Don't take things so personally- lighten up
   
7. Give
8. Enlighten where you can, but make sure people are asking for it
9. Forgive
10. Be honest with yourself
    

I am glad this post is available when I see the need to use it. Thanks for listening. Signing off.

If you only had a few words to share what would you say?

I have not had a lot to say lately. After a week of writing on the blog,
I realized that I was looking for a venue to be heard and perhaps share
some creativity, but something about this venue has felt wrong.
Although I may be useful to offer some kind words for people
when they are going through tough times, most of what I have to
say is really just filler. However, the following are the things that
I think are critical when having any conversation, sharing thoughts, etc.

Why do you say what you say?
Think before you speak. You have the freedom to choose the outcome-
There is the gap between stimulus what you heard and response
(what you are about to say to what you heard).
Take the moment in that gap to determine what you want your outcome
to be. Think about what you are going to say, how it is going to
sound once it comes out and how it is going to affect the person you are
talking to. Then, open your mouth.   Ask yourself: I am I looking for
an efficient outcome or an effective outcome?
For every action there is a reaction. 

Diversity and Unity:
Treat everyone equally by treating everyone differently.
We are all unique.

Quotes:
People don't care how much you know until they know how much you care.

Tell me why you believe what you believe and maybe I can learn from your
way of thinking. (In other words, have an open mind. Listen to others.)

"Treat others the way you want to be treated." 

Remember:
Everyone has a story to tell. (It does not matter their shape, color, size or age). 
Everyone wants the same thing; to be heard, understood and validated.