New Year's Declaration: The Act of Deciding What is Tolerable and What is Not

Fitting title is it not? This year I have decided to write declarations of what I will NOT tolerate in the upcoming year. I think it is important as we are cleaning out our closets to make it a point to decide what is good for ourselves and what is not. Sure we can write resolutions all day long setting ourselves up for failure and by the middle of the year feel completely inadequate because we couldn't keep one of them. Writing a list of what we WANT and NEED for our spiritual growth means we are tending to our gardens. Having a garden full of weeds surely indicates that our harvest will not be plentiful. Cultivation is key to our spiritual growth.

Since I had been reflecting on the previous year, noting how I had been faced with adversity from all sides, it seemed that my garden had a lot of weeds I had forgotten to pull. So I am pulling them now.

My New Year's Declaration for 2009 is simple. Elimination of unnecessary waste and toxins with a great purge. No I'm not talking physically (although that is on the list of things to do this year) I am talking about people. Throughout my 42 years I have come to discover that certain people can be toxic and I do not need that type of venom in my bloodstream. I will not tolerate poisonous noxious people. Take your venom and your toxins and infect the next person. I have an antidote now. Vaccination took place shielding me from your drama and bullshit. Keep moving.

This purge is essential to my health and well-being because I discovered last year that the more you give credence to someone who is a bit off kilter, the more they tend to run a muck. These are the people that also latch themselves onto you with motives, shielded under the guise of "friend" However, "friend" is just a wonderful definition of "I am going to say and do crazy things because I am off balance and I want to take you down with me." Generally I do not waste any time with people that coexist happily with drama because it is banal to say the least. No matter how one tries to hide it, they need daily doses of drama to keep them going, dragging down everyone they come into contact with because of their insecurity. If you are not secure with self, keep it moving. My garden is for fresh vegetables and fruits only.

To the mighty succubus I say, "bye, bye!" My veins have been strengthened with super steel, while the blood that flows is empowered with a new strain protecting me against stupid. No Dracula action here, so keep moving. Insecure? Feel the need to control someone when really you should control yourself? Find another host.

To the cerebrally challenged (those that lose their fucking heads as easily as those who lose their wallets) keep on moving. Want to be mentally imbalanced, do so in the comforts of your own home on your own time.

Last year I spent a lot of time trying to decipher codes and patterns from people. I listened to people as they ranted and raved. I watched as neurosis set in while a cure for the debilitating disease seemed like an impossibility. I have witnessed people fawn over others, only to spread venom when the emotion was not reciprocated. I have watched "crazy" unfold like yard goods in a fabric store, asking myself over and over, "What the hell are you doing listening to this crazy shit?" Ok so I admit, some of it was a little entertaining, but after a while the humor left and annoyance began to ring the doorbell. ("doorbell" Hi...my name is Annoyance, wanted to know if you wanted to subscribe to my magazine?" "Uh no....but I do think the young lady down the block might like to")

I watched people used the word "friend" like they would use the term "shopping" Although not related, they seemed to be related. "Hi I am shopping for a new friend, because my old friend is no longer new and I need something a little more improved" I watched people's sanity decline when they discovered they were no longer on my Top Friend's List in MySpace, "Hi, I guess we're not friends anymore because I am not on your top friend's list, and I feel that as a friend I DESERVE that slot..." "Hi your MySpace friend's list is interesting...I don't see my name up there!"

During one of my wonderful "people" adventures, I had someone misconstrue the words, "Thank You" and manifest a situation that wasn't even true because for some reason, "Thank You" translated into "I want you" So for that I say that in this day and age where good manners still exist in some people and they are truly thankful for a small act of kindness, don't get it twisted, "Thank You" really is "Thank You." (I listened to someone's neurotic rants because they were so insecure a situation just had to become of it even though they claimed they were drama free!) As a result I had to cut the cord and move on. Now that's what I call DRAMA FREE!

I don't like people that like to create situations for their own benefit then hide behind an excuse as to why they acted that way. "I was acting that way, or saying those things because I was using a substance or I was drinking a little too much that day," To that I say, "The use of a substance, either alcohol or drugs only removes your inhibitions and allows you to say the things you normally would not say. Don't hide behind your vise, just embrace it." If you are upset with someone because you can't have them or be with them or whatever the case, it would behoove you to think first before taking an action or saying something you would have to retract later. I'm not one for retraction of words, so you better believe if I say something to you, since I am under the influence of "reality" I MEANT every word of it! No excuses here!

Problems no longer exist, just Issues, Challenges and Concerns. If you are a problem, you are dismissed. Period.

For the socially challenged, here's something for you: Friends are mirrors of ourselves, if the mirror is cracked, it is time to buy a new mirror.

It really is essential and empowering to remove the waste that clogs our systems and start out anew with a better insight. Removing the vile and starting with something delightful and pleasing not only stimulates our senses, but clears our gardens from the weeds that kill our plants. Come spring I'll be ready for harvest. How about you?