Self-Love

Welcome to Poppy’s Blog.

I have not written in a while and felt the need to write today. 

I feel blessed to share my life journey. I hope my story resonates with some of you, gives you hope, and inspires you to be the best version of yourself.

Poppy has come full circle. She made a comeback by healing herself from the inside and out. It’s been four years since my husband’s death, and I miss him dearly. I made a mistake. I went into a relationship while I was grieving. I don’t know how I managed to be in a relationship. But one day, I had an epiphany, packed my bags, and left. Now, this is when the real healing started.

Taking care of myself was my number one priority. I was depressed, lost, and lonely. So, I went into hermit mode, which is solitude. I cried, worked in my garden, started swimming at the gym, and wrote short stories. I meditated and listened to Sarah Blondin- accepting change. I learned to give back all the love I gave out, so I started filling every hole in my body with self-love.  

I have been reborn and given a new life experience. I am “the phoenix rising from her ashes.” I have become resilient and allow life to spill into me, not on me. I have become more of an observer. I started a new job and returned to my original profession as an Accountant. I landed a stellar job, and I love what I do. I have the best co-workers and clients.

I am blessed to have a daughter and granddaughter who helped me through this difficult time. I am enjoying each step of my life journey, and I still wear my heart on my sleeve.

Let me end with this quote.

           “A life without cause is a life without effect.”

Poppy sends love and light.

A New Year means new Beginnings

Welcome to Poppy's Blog.

A New Year means new beginnings. I hope you wake up and find the place where everything feels right, your heart is calm, thoughts are positive, vision is clear, and beauty fills your soul with mystery.

This year I figured I would try my hand at pitching a Comedy. I wrote my pitch thinking about my life. As I look back on my life, I’ve had many feelings like sadness, anger, joy, stress, and excitement. I have learned a lot about myself and realized I am a strong-willed person beautiful inside and out. I don't know where I am going, but I promise it won't be boring. 

The quote that comes to mind is:

I am strong because I was WEAK, fearless because I've been AFRAID, and wise because I've been FOOLISH.

"REALLY" is my first Comedy Pitch.

I entered it into the ScreenCraft Virtual Pitch (Spring 2022)

Logline: A woman enters the dating scene via a dating app after the death of her husband. She finds most of her dates are in need of a sympathetic ear, so she sets up a chatline. She meets the most boring, broken, selfish, and inconsiderate people looking for love and somehow heals herself from the chaos and drama that unfolds in front of her eyes.

Happy New Year's - Poppy

Just remember to make happiness a priority.

The White Feather

After my husband's death, the physical and emotional pain I suffered opened a hole in my heart to see and feel things on a deeper level. I found myself noticing strange and subtle occurrences. 

While I sat at a stoplight, a white feather descended from nowhere and landed on my windshield. I jumped out of my car and was determined to grab the white feather and hold it in my hand. Another day, while walking in the park, I sat on the bench I shared with my husband, birdwatching. A little bird came and perched next to me and stared at me. I carefully examined the bird as it moved its head back and forth. It was as if the bird was talking to me. I believed it was my husband sending me a sign from heaven. Though I thought I was going crazy, I was not. Then again, maybe I was. Another time I felt blue and decided I would use what energy I had to dress and go to my favorite restaurant to have lunch. I drove to the restaurant sat in the parking lot, afraid to go in and sit alone. But, somehow, I summoned the courage to walk through the doors alone. I sat near a window, and the table had a beautiful floral centerpiece. As the waiter took my order, I felt something hit my ankle. When the waiter left, I slowly bent over, and there was a nickel near my ankle. I picked it up and smiled. I knew then it was my husband telling me I would be OK.

There are signs everywhere. We need to learn to stop our busy brains and acknowledge the signs our loved ones are sending us. I have become a witness to seeing and acknowledging these signs on my life journey. It has made my faith stronger and resilient. I remember my mother saying, "seek adventure everywhere you go, but remember, you must see and feel with your heart to experience it." Most of us just exist daily. Some of us have not learned to leave our baggage behind, and it has become a security blanket that holds us down. Some are blind and unable to visualize the world differently because they were trained only to see in front of them. I will never allow myself to root in one place, the world is so big, and there are so many adventures waiting for me.

It's been three years since my husband's death, and I have learned to love every part of myself, the quirky side, birdwatcher, wildflower pod picker, nature lover, and writer. I also have learned to be patient with myself, go to a restaurant, movie, and park alone. Take my country drives and picnics every Sunday as I did with my husband. Though he is gone, he will always have a special place in my heart. Whenever I think of my husband, I know he will send me a sign from above to guide and protect me because he is my angel in heaven.

To read more of Poppy's short stories, click on the link below. 

https://www.amazon.com/Poppy-Dodson/e/B09NJGV325?ref=sr_ntt_srch_lnk_5&qid=1639416095&sr=1-5

Friday’s Quote – a Gift

Welcome to Poppy's Blog!

Deep down inside, we know that the best gifts don't come from a catalog or shopping mall. They don't come in brightly colored packages or fancy envelopes, and they're not hiding in a closet for you to open on Christmas morning. They come when we look at each other, REALLY look at each other, and say:

"You mean a lot to me, or I'm glad you are part of my life." It is a gift that will never go out of style or be forgotten or returned for a different size.

A gift like that can make someone's day or change someone's life.

        -    Ron Atchison

Merry Christmas

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THE STORY OF RUDOLPH

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Today I will be reading a story published January 11, 2011, Reader's Digest - CANADA.

THE STORY OF RUDOLPH

Once Upon a time, there lived at the North Pole, a young reindeer named Rudolph. He was a lively, happy reindeer and loved playing in the snow. But one day, the other reindeer noticed that he had a large, bright red nose, and they teased him about it without mercy.

Rudolph was sad because it was Christmas Eve, and he was afraid that he would never be chosen to pull Santa's sleigh because of his shiny nose. He visited Santa and the elf, who were getting all the presents ready. Santa and the Elf were always kind to Rudolph and never mentioned his funny nose.

At last, Santa boomed, elf, I must go. Let's load up the presents.

When all was ready, Santa asked, where are my 8 reindeer? I need Dasher, Dancer, Prancer, Vixen, Comet, Cupid, Donner, and Blitzen's strength to pull my sleigh. Then Santa looked around and noticed how foggy the night had become. He worried that he would not be able to see his way. Suddenly, he noticed Rudolph with his bright red nose, and then he had a very bright idea! "Rudolph," he cried, I want YOU with your shiny nose to light the way from my sleigh tonight!"

All the reindeer made way for Rudolph. Everybody loved him and said what a
special reindeer he was from then on.  They never teased Rudolph.  Rudolph would always be Santa's first choice every Christmas Eve.

Let me end with this quote – The magic of Christmas never ends, and the best gifts are Family and Friends.

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Twas the Night Before Christmas

 Welcome to Poppy’s Blog!

Since the holidays are upon us, I will be reading Christmas Stories my mother read to me as a child.  Let us spread the Holiday Cheer!

Here is a little history of the story I will read today. Enjoy!

Twas, the Night Before Christmas, was first published in 1823 as “Account of a Visit from St. Nicholas” in the Troy Sentinel, later attributed to Clement C. Moore and renamed. 

Twas the night before Christmas, when all through the house, not a creature was stirring, not even a mouse. The stockings were hung by the chimney with care and hope that Saint Nicholas would soon be there. The children were nestled all snug in their beds while visions of sugar plums danced in their heads. And Mama in her kerchief, and I in my cap had just settled our brains for a long winter's nap. Went out on the lawn there arose such a clatter, I sprang from the bed to see what was the matter. Away to the window, I flew like a flash, tore open the shutters, and threw up the sash. The moon on the breast of the newly fallen snow gave a luster of mid-day two objects below. 

When what to my wondering eyes should appear, a miniature sleigh, and eight tiny reindeer. With a little old driver, so lively and quick, I knew in a moment it must be Saint Nick. More rapid than eagles his courses they came, And he whistled, and shouted, and called them by name! Now Dasher! Now Dancer! Now, Prancer and Vixen! To the top of the porch! To the top of the wall! Now dash away! Dash away! Dash away all!

But I heard him exclaim, “Happy Christmas to all, and to all a good-night.”

 

It's the most wonderful time of the year!

How the Grinch Stole Christmas

 Welcome to Poppy’s Blog!

Today I will be reading a short version of Dr. Seuss’s 1957 children’s book “How the Grinch Stole Christmas."  

Every who down in Whoville liked Christmas. But the Grinch who lived on top of Whoville DID NOT. He hated Christmas the whole Christmas season. Now, please do not ask why, and no one quite knows the reason why! It could be, perhaps, that his shoes were too tight. It could be his head was not screwed on exactly right.

But I think that the most likely reason of all may have been that his heart was two sizes too small. But, whatever the reason, his heart, or his shoes, he stood there on Christmas Eve hating the Who’s.  Staring down from his cave with the sour, Grinchy frown at the warm lighted windows below in their town.  For he knew every Who down in Whoville beneath was busy hanging a hollywho wreath and their stockings, he snarled with a sneer, Tomorrow is Christmas! It is practically here!

Yes, tomorrow all the Who boys and girls will wake up bright and early and run to their toys.  Then all the noise.  All the noise, noise, and noise.  He then got an idea an awful idea.  The Grinch got a wonderful AWFUL IDEA!  I know just what to do about Christmas. He made a Santa Claus hat and coat. He laughed in his throat.  With this coat and hat, I look like Saint Nicholas.  He made a sleigh, and all he needed was a reindeer.  If I cannot find a reindeer, I'll make one instead. He named the dog Max and made a big horn on top of his head. 

He went to Whoville, and he came back with lots of packages, boxes, and bags. And in Whoville, it was not sad it was HAPPY VERY HAPPY. Then what do you know? The Grinches heartbeat three sizes that day. He brought the toys back and the feast's food, and he himself carved the roast beast. The Grinch enjoyed Christmas and the wonderful Christmas Season.

Let me end with this note - What if Christmas Perhaps Means a little bit more.......

Merry Christmas

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