Okay, so the holiday festivities are completed, traffic is back to normal this time of year, and life resumes its natural busyness as we slide into 2020.
Our jeep developed a power steering leak during the early part of December; I added fluid, and then added more and more over the coming days and weeks in hopes of nursing it through to spring and warmer weather. No such luck. Early January 2020 the temperature dropped to -25 and more. One trip out I heard a loud pop; a fizzing, whirring sound and the steering wheel would barely turn…why does this matter?
I was going to the next town to pick up a prescription for my Amazing wife; it had to be done that day, and I wanted to do it for her. On that day I thought, I’ve gone into this store several times now being authentic. Most of the staff has known me for several years, so I was feeling very safe, and was, well, done up. Blingy, skinny girl jeans, knee high 2” heel leather boots, full length fur collared ladies coat, and my cute ponytail sticking out through my winter hat.
I was feeling so safe, cute, and confident, but then a very loud POP and whirring, fizzzz sound happened under the hood. Yes, I did get the prescription, but between the pop and the pick-up of meds, I spent several hours waiting for the jeep to be repaired at the local small prairie town mechanic shop. The owner and head mechanic and I were acquainted and friendly, with little attention paid to his very religious background or my choice in attire. We met and built rapport several years ago when I wore a big cowboy hat and dinner plate rodeo buckle.
So there I sat, perched on one of those high stools found in many automotive places, legs crossed at the knee, munching snacks, sipping coffee, and chatting with those who would engage me. The smell of exhaust fumes and engine grease was thick and heavy in the air, but the Dolce & Gabbana light blue I wore wafted through it like smoke through a keyhole. Guys would come in and instantly sniff the air, looking around for its source, and there “I am…”
At one point, I had wandered to the rear of the shop to look around for some other things I wanted; it was then that I heard someone say with a giggle, “Hey, where’s the pretty lady gone to?”
The tone sent chills. You know the kind; it just felt sarcastic. I looked up to see the owner glance in my direction from behind the counter,” just waiting for her vehicle,” he said and walked away from the counter disengaging.
The man quickly scanned the room, eye contact. I smiled, he looked away and blushed. I felt my soul expand. It was a flag planting moment. The guy sat in silence for a few minutes, and then he simply got up and left, asking that they call him when his truck was ready, which they agreed to do. No one looked up; they all kept doing their work. They were okay with my presence regardless of their personal beliefs. I respect that quality in any person…live and let live…
As I paid for the repairs, I thanked the owner and other three support staff. Remember, they were very fundamental religious guys, all related, with wives and kids, and all members of the same church. “Thanks for your kindness and not engaging the other fella,” I said.
He smiled, “That’s probably not your first time having to deal with that stuff, I’d imagine?” He asked a couple of more questions about my journey as the others quietly listened in, and I replied honestly, “I choose to not judge others; everyone has the ability, but you’re right, not everyone chooses to be kind, so thanks.”
By not forcing my way in but just being present, and grateful for the space to “be,” I was given the opportunity to share some of what it has been like navigating this expansion of my authentic self. A brief synopsis outlining the journey from cocaine addiction and suicide attempts, to realizing that I was created by the same Creator as every other thing on the planet; he agreed.
I told him that I am learning to accept and like me first, and then maybe one day, I’ll love what the master has created instead of hating it and wanting to kill it, ( I giggled here.) So here I am, taking one step at a time in faith.
I received an intimate moment to share with an audience that has a much larger influence. I received support for my adventure, was thanked for showing self-acceptance, and my own soul once more expanded. And I realized the importance of making sure your power steering pump is in good shape!
I’m kidding!
This week’s Reset is simply: Remember to “look for opportunities” to expand yourself and others safely and honestly. Simply by showing up, being present and seen, affords us opportunities to be witnessed and maybe understood a little better going forward.
This is what allowed the space for sharing and teaching, and thus expanding many souls. I am grateful for the opportunities and grateful for you for being exactly who you are!
Namaste’
n huggles
Char
More Articles by Char
- Happy Holidays?
- Are you willing to feeel goood?
- Getting back to normal?
- Something to Celebrate
- True freeedom exists!
Latest posts by Char (see all)
- Happy Holidays? - December 20, 2021
- Are you willing to feeel goood? - August 19, 2021
- Getting back to normal? - July 7, 2021
- Something to Celebrate - June 30, 2021
- True freeedom exists! - May 5, 2021
It gets cold here in Minnesota as well. I really appreciate how you didn’t engage that person either. I have always been a fighter and am working on not doing that.
oh yes, been there done that Jessica; spent more than one night in the “cooler" as they say haha, now I choose the way of the peaceful warrior hehe
Know this my dear friend, we are all created equal under the same sun and moon, I Am equal to every other person on the planet and have the same right to show up authentically. . .the temp dropped to -52C that week haha
Create a magical day Jessica
Namste’
n huggles
Char
I see. Last night it got -31 C here.
figure once it hits zero its frozen, soooo what’s the point of another 20 or 30 degrees colder hahaha
Nice story I enjoyed the support of the manager very nice of him and respectful of you.
Things to be grateful for hey Jezzebelle; It’s fun to expand hehe
Thank you for reading my friend 😉
Namaste’
n huggles Jezzebele
Char
Char – this reminds me so much of my travels back from Keystone in 2018. I flew out to Baltimore and back to Seattle en femme (that went wonderfully), but when I got to my car it was dead as the proverbial doornail. Thinking it was just the battery I got a jump from the airport security people, but alas it wouldn’t hold a charge – the alternator was dead. Now my home is 70 miles from the airport so I needed a long tow to my local garage – but it had to be a special vehicle to fit… Read more »
Awe now I have a grin from ear to ear; how awesome is that hey!!
I really am learning that the world is not “Always" as ready to condemn and attack as we have been taught by previous generations, in fact, the more present I Am, the more I am treated like any other person doing some shopping.
Every day I am feeling more and more free to be….and I Am Grateful
Create a wonderful day April, Thank you for being you!!
Namaste’
n huggles for ya girl
Char
Thank you love
Chat-as always I love your articles. I think one of the most difficult things we do-yet paradoxically perhaps the most important is to be representatives to the world of the community. For too many members of the public the only exposure trey may have had to our community is from Jerry Springer or other tabloid shows or from older movies and tv shows where the terms used were too often pejorative as like he/she or trannie or perverts. Th e media has gotten better in the last two decades and more of society have become tolerant and even accepting of… Read more »
Hahaha YES!! We DO look Fantastic!! haha!! It’s fun to glance around as I walk through the big box stores in the city. 99% of the time people glance, make eye contact, smile and go on with their shopping. I really love the Gandhi statement, “we will not use violence as they do; We, will simply not comply"… We don’t have to fight for our dignity, we just have to stand tall in it and be witnessed doing so in a peaceful, powerful, present kind of way. I would love to be there for girls night out omg that is… Read more »
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By not telling us about your Jeep, you left out an important part of the story!
Oooh tell me more Joan, I love hearing 🙂
aaand create a wonderful dayyy
Namaste’
n huggles
Char