Like any dream, our expectations differ dramatically from reality. This week exceeded all expectations, but not for the reasons I might have anticipated. Our friends Janet and Lalo accompanied us on a quick trip to Lake Tahoe. When they arrived, they had a fantastic surprise for me. I’ve spoken before about Lalo’s beautiful mosaic work. With Janet’s help, they created a mosaic of my little yogini. It is simply gorgeous in person; the colors are perfect. If I didn’t already love the little symbol, I would have fallen in love with her all over again. We hadn’t even been together five minutes, and I was crying tears of gratitude.
My tears continued that evening when they shared with me what they thought of the book. I was humbled by their kind words.
The waterworks have continued each day since, for one reason or another. My friends from far and near, old and new, have been sending along the nicest of comments about the book. I have to tell you, those comments mean far more than any dollars. They settle into my soul and warm me from the inside out.
In the group so many years ago, I remember an exercise we participated in, referred to as positive bombardment. We would go around the circle, and each person had to say something positive about every other person in the group. And it had to be an honest statement. That component made it a powerful experience because I believed what was being said to me. In the ten years I was a part of the process, I probably experienced this exercise a handful of times. And every time, I would end feeling elevated and happy. I wasn’t alone. There was a feeling in the air, genuine smiles, and an expression approaching happiness in the eyes of the group members. We all have an incredible power to raise others up, which we probably underuse, unfortunately.
This experience of hearing from others about my book feels much like those days of positive bombardment. I replay a comment over and over until the next one comes along, and the cycle begins anew. I’ve genuinely never experienced anything quite like this, and I’m beyond grateful. This dream has lived up to every minute I fantasized about it, regardless of whether I ever sell another book.
On Friday, when we returned home, we readied for the book signing on Saturday at the Rosa-Lucca wine tasting room in Cool. Janet and Lalo stayed on for the festivities! I thought maybe the winery would attract a good-sized crowd, especially since they were having a pet adoption. And they did draw a crowd… for the puppies!
I was seated behind them, and most people never left the puppies. Can you blame them? I need to learn from these events; my spot should not be next to gorgeous jewelry or puppies!
Joking aside, the evening turned out to be something far different than I anticipated, and I wouldn’t have traded it for anything.
As I was setting up, I noticed two people standing to my left. They announced they were there for the book signing.
Were my eyes deceiving me? It looked like my old friend, Ray, and Shelley, his beautiful wife. I hadn’t seen Ray in probably fifteen years.
Turns out my eyes weren’t playing tricks. They had traveled from Redding, a three-hour drive. Like I said a few weeks back, friends are something else.
Having no takers for the book signing that evening turned out perfectly. The six of us sat around the fire pit, sharing stories, putting color to the years we’d been apart. I choked back tears of gratitude numerous times throughout the night. I was surrounded by five beloved people, as well as the wonderful staff at Rosa-Lucca, who we indeed enjoyed. It couldn’t have been a lovelier night.
I’m learning one thing for sure, not to predict nor set rigid intentions and no expectations. It’s far more fun to let the universe paint my canvas.
Next Sunday is the KFOK radio interview. Wish me luck.
2 Comments
Knock their socks off Sunday! Maybe Rick can record you on the radio, like a mix tape. Have fun on your radio debut♥️
Thank you Janet!!! I was awake for a few hours in the middle of the night rehearsing, lol!