I am crying as I am reading this. Out and out crying. BlogPaws has taught me more about blogging, it has taught me lessons (some of them harsh, hurtful lessons that were of my own making), but....BlogPaws brought me you and a number of other true friends that even when I might not "behave" at my best, still love me. I think now, after the past few years, you DO KNOW and BELIEVE when I say I owe BlogPaws, (not the BlogPaws of today), but the BlogPaws of the early years (primarily for me, 2009 through 2014) so much. So very, very much. I remember the day I found BlogPaws (when my cat blog started, also in 2009) and I shrieked with joy. I LEARNED SO MUCH. I LAUGHED SO MUCH. I ATE LOTS OF CHEESECAKE. OH THE CHEESECAKE. I made friends (I lost a few too, but if you lose them, they weren't really true friends, right?)....but I learned. I learned so much. I hurt so much (my own fault)....but the joyous memories far outweigh any bad. When I heard about what has happened I posted in the Cats With Blogs group that BlogPaws isn't really BlogPaws without the DiVitas (and I stand by that and add Carol Bryant to the mix, and Robbie). The BlogPaws of yore that I remember, cared about the PEOPLE and the PETS. Not the almighty dollar. I was one that was with you back in the early days. The days/memories I will cherish (and hopefully learn from) the rest of my life. I THANK YOU for all that you did for me, and for thousands of others. For all that you taught me. For putting up with me. For forgiving me, and for hopefully still loving me. It means the world to me to be following Lipsticking and to continue on a different journey......not a BlogPaws journey, but a journey of learning and loving just the same. I THANK YOU ALL, ALL OF YOU. FOR ALL THAT YOU HAVE DONE.

Eeek...I am much too observant. I am the person who never has her nose buried in her phone at the grocery store. I am dancing in the aisle while pushing my cart...when I am in the checkout line I am ALWAYS looking at what the person ahead of me bought (probably because I am food obsessed). I also bond with the workers in virtually every department...it's kind of nauseating. I think the fact that I notice trees, flowers, if something is moved out of place or whatever might be because I used to draw voraciously......I think when one draws or paints quite a bit we sort of see things for what they are instead of wondering "why" they are :)

I am extremely excited to learn more about what Katie has to say. I also wanted to let you know that you ARE providing content that is extremely beneficial. God knows I have failed........I have failed by allowing frustration to get the better of me. By not thinking, by not behaving professionally just that ONE time, was the kiss of death. By not being direct and voicing my frustration (as in opening a discussion) to those I SHOULD HAVE. I instead allowed myself to be manipulated by others who wanted something that they "thought" I had.....a lesson learned in an incredibly hard way. I also am not a fan of the phone but for me, I think it stems from having worked on the phone for 20 plus years.......but, sometimes it does depend on who is calling.......I can spend hours (and have) talking to friends/family that I enjoy.......I do love emailing more than texting.....(but with texting and email you can't hear voice inflections or see facial expressions which I think is an important part of communicating).....it is also important not to ramble when communicating as I am doing now.....so...I will be going!

*****standing ovacion!!! *** "Climb every mountain, ford every stream, follow every rainbow, til you find your dream!!! ...." and going on........." a dream that will need, all the love you can give, every day of your life, for as long as you live!!!!" One of my most favorite songs!

I am going to have to think about this, this is a rough one. I am going to have to watch this video again, I am embarrassed to say I can't think of a metaphor for my life. It is 10:53pm here right now and I am tired...I think I am going to watch this tomorrow when I am refreshed. I think it might be a sign of trouble that I can't think of one :(

Sooo happy I let you know the video hadn't been working because watching now, I felt as if the 9 or so minutes of this video flew by much too fast! Now, to get my hands on this book! (Oh and I almost fell out of my chair when I heard my name lol)..........like you, I am not a fan of writing in books, but I am going to get my hands on this. I love in this video how you discussed that Ayse compares designing your life to making soup! Now THAT'S something I can relate to! I am ALWAYS cooking and since December I am making chicken soup more times than I can count! I never thought about how I think about the ingredients first (deconstruction) and how often I have to vary my ingredients based on what is in the house. Sometimes I find the prospect of "redesigning" my life as rather overwhelming, which leads me to shrug my shoulders and say, "Well, maybe I will think about this another day".........but putting it in terms that my feeble mind can understand, (cooking terms).......makes it not seem overwhelming at all!

WOW!! So much to think about and process with this book (even if this is the first time you are presenting it). Even if I don't get it right away, I am going to follow along and take notes (which I did today). Like you, I am not normally a fan of "work books".........I like to, (like you), highlight, underline and then put the book away, but I am intrigued. I was thinking, when I "re-invented" or "re-designed" after having to leave a career in advertising due to downsizing.........was blogging my "second" act?? I feel as if maybe it was and that I am trying to move (re-design yet again) to a THIRD ACT? What are your thoughts about that? Love the quote "rebirth with memory".... Love "design is turning a constraint into an opportunity" My biggest constraint? ME..........I write ideas down on post-its (mostly for the children's books I always say I am going to write).......then I stick them in the slot of the tray of my computer (where you can store papers) and forget about them until I have to go hunt for passwords I can't remember lol. I have these grand book ideas.........then.....I let ME get in the way......I am hoping to cease doing that. I am also pondering the "burners" that you mentioned: work, family, health, career........am I wrong to think that we still have to have ALL of the burners lit? That is what I think and maybe that is what my problem is????? (among many lol) So much to think about. I love these videos because I enlarge it on my laptop and you make me feel as if we are having a discussion over coffee......I just love these and I eagerly await your next video. Thank you so much for sharing with all of us!!

I sooo loved this series! Immediately this quote resonated with me from today's post "There are stories in this book that will resonate with many of you. Stories that pull the curtain away from the mumbles in our ears, trying to tell us we can't do this or that - too often playing into our in securities. Once the curtain is pulled aside, the light illuminates our true purpose in life and rewards us with a glimpse into the way forward." The voices inside of my head are known to wreak havoc! I fall victim also to what you mentioned that I listen to "expectations and values set by others"......I have to quiet those voices and listen to myself. I DO have a lifelong dream that involves writing...I HAVE written my ideas down........now...I need to find a way to act on them. I am thinking the question you are referring to is "what is our dream or our core purpose?" I think I know........it keeps coming back and I need to listen to it. I will try and get my hands on this book, thank you so much for your insightful and motivating commentary, once again, it is a joy to watch/listen to you........(I think you need your own show) :)