Sunday, October 12, 2008

What was your second chance?

as best as i can put it 'where the rubber meets the scalpel'.

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In junior high and highschool, falling into a crowd of friends that had good values and good parenting. Otherwise my two alcoholic parents and my general lack of motivation, was not a good outlook for a youngster. My group of friends were on the college track and were generally afraid of getting in trouble, so we usually stayed clear of trouble.

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I'm not sure I've had it yet.

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I had a fatal (obviously temporary) reaction to Demerol. My heart and breathing stopped for about 4 minutes. I did not see the light, but I did experience a wonderful respite from all the pain (physical, mental, emotional) that I wasn't even aware I had. What I felt was a wonderful sense of peace, welcome, fullness, expansiveness. My fear of dying has been nearly eliminated. I was at a low point in my life when this happened and turned my life around through the 12 Steps. Nearly 20 years later, I remain grateful for that glimpse into the other side.

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I've had many second chances. But getting sober was my first second chance.....

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I must be fortunate, because I haven't needed one. So I'm holding it in reserve...just in case.

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Actually I feel like virtually every moment is a second chance to be compassionate, forgiving, accepting - if only I remember to see it that way.

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Seeing as how I'm going back to school (AGAIN), I think I'm technically on my third chance. We get, like, seven or eight chances, right?

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Everyday is another chance

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Probably my second divorce? Not planning on doing that M-thing again.

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Probably going on the meds.

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Oh, there have been so many second chances! One doesn't live to the ripe young age of 63 without several of them along the way.

Getting sober was the most important second chance, and I very gratefully didn't let that one slip through me fingers.

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When my company closed after 31 years because of the economy, it's giving me a second chance to do a career that I love! If ya gotta work til you're 75, ya better love it!

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I'm still waiting.

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Gender Change + 12 Step Recovery = Second Chance.........a re-incarnation without having to leave the body.

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Moving onto a farm that turned out to be a cult. Believe it or not, the experience changed/saved my life in so many good ways that I will always be grateful I was a part of it. That being said, I left before it got really bad. I hope the authorities raid it sometime soon and the leader gets sent to jail for some of the things I found out later about what went on while I was there.

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I told her about everything. All the dishonesty. All the mistakes. All the bad decisions. I laid it all on the line and she gave me a second chance. I wish my life were a fairy tale but it didn't end there. Two months later and I blew my second, and last, chance.

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Damn. I've had a lot of them. Three highlights:

#1 With my old therapist, who assured me, "It's your life - you can take it," which made me feel there was at least one thing in my life I could do.

#2 With my first sponsor, who told me, "Of course you're having a spiritual crisis. You've made sex your god." She also kept pointing out when I would repeatedly tell her how fucked up all my romantic relationships were, "It's you."

#3 With my spiritual teacher, who has taught and gven me so much, I can't possibly repeat it all here. However, just the other day, after discovering I set my clock ahead 15 minutes to get myself places on time, she said with a smile and raised eyebrow, "So you lie to yourself."

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The first time around, I let myself be emotionally and physically beaten because I didn't know I could have any say in the matter. Now I have a lot of say in the matter, and instead of feeling beaten, I am being transported to a higher spiritual plane. And for me that comes from intense physical sensation. I love it.

today when i realized i have a second chance at being grateful, slowing down and not having to have everything stat! Thank god, patience surrender. I could watch the people move and not be in a rush. I can taste my food instead of swallowing it whole. I can watch a movie instead of paying bills or being on the internet.

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getting 'opposite sex hormones' and going through 'second puberty.'

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My second chance was a thin lipped, Scottish, research scientist, who knew all the words to the Dean Martin songs I love..."When the moon hits your eye...." Oh my, there is still a tug of the heart strings there. Do you believe there are third chances in life for us?

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Yes. I had received an invitation to work as a rail road person with Union Pacific. I turned it down due to the fact that I wasn't committed to the idea of having a career. I regretted that decision, and hoped to have another chance to apply for the job again. I did, when they invited me to take a test for the position. Needless to say, I failed. Thus, there goes my second chance.

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Once when I was much younger and wilder, I got in a fight with my bosses boyfriend (who was sort of her boss) and quit my job. I was so angry and frustrated I strapped my back pack and a case of beer on the back of my motorcycle and headed off toward North Carolina (from Texas). Almost to Houston, a trucker called me in for doing 90 miles an hour when I passed him and I was pulled over for my one and only DWI arrest. After a couple of days I ended up in the Harris County Jail in Houston which makes "the tombs" in New York look like an NYU mixer. A day later my parents had called an uncle of mine who was a lawyer and partner in a bail bond outfit right across the street from the jail. He picked me up and took me down to his beach house on Galveston Island. We stayed there for the better part of a week. I helped him build a back porch and we went out to a country western dance joint and, yes, drank beer together. He was the very first person who treated me with respect even after I had behaved very badly. I never got that from my parents. I keep him in my life constantly even though we're 2000 miles apart and, divorced from my father's sister, he's not officially part of the family. But he'll always be my favorite uncle.

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The one before my third, fourth, fifth.... I can give you the corny but true recovery story -- my version -- suffice to say every day is a second chance.

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And mine...

After years of immaturity, self-centeredness and emotional dependency, I am learning to be self-sufficient. Along with this comes learning how to love and be loved. Today's second chance, to open up to my sister about my spiritual life and to feel heard and accepted, has left me feeling full of the love and joy I never thought I was allowed to have. I am very grateful to have had a second chance to be a better sister.

Tuesday, October 7, 2008

What if you were a different gender?

Suffice to say I wouldn't care about my reputation.

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I am.

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Then I would be the kind of man that treated women like his mama taught him, under a single parent house hold in old new york poverty. I would join the navy too young, and get into loads of trouble, having great stories of fool's errands. I would be the kind of man that was a little old fashioned in mannerisms, in love with old music and the kind that would serenade a person under the window at least once. I would be tasteful, well spoken, would consider my words carefully, I would be a lover of women. I would be true but I would also have many loves in one life time. I would be so devoted to women that I would devote time painting the woman form. Or photographing, or just making love to one good woman all the time. I would have good friends from all walks of life. I would finely meet a woman that I would want to grow old with, not out of attraction although that is there too immensely in the beginning, but a woman that had the right heart, and I would make sacrifices for structure and support...and meet the woman in the middle, growing together sharing dreams and tragedies while building at first a home of two. (But because I am a man, it would be far more simple.) I would go through an arrogant youth. I would be infatuated with great thinkers and carry myself with dignity. I would also make tons of mistakes, hurt feelings at times, once or twice make my identity based on my profession, lose my temper, but I would never result to violence. I would be a man with a great sense of humor, and because of this ability to laugh on the side of error, I would have a great life. I would also be handy and take simple joys and pleasures out of every day activities that involved fixing problems. The best man I would be in my entire life time would be the man I would be in old age...from my arrogant world traveling rascallion youth to my romance period, to my maturity and dignity as a husband, father and grandpa, to my death in my suit, I would be the kind of man that had an open mind, but also I would not live so abundantly in my emotions, as I do so much as a woman. I would respect women for their incredible compassion. But I think as a man, I would find myself a provider. I would grow into old age and be the best as an old man, retired and fixing things for my family, taking great joy out of projects and old music, be appalled by my one time beloved NY city, or travel but be happy to be content in my garage and around the long dinner table full of hardy nostalgia, die a slow but not too slow death full of good byes and last meetings at monumental events, looking back at having sacrificed an adventurous life some where with in the confused middle life of falling in love after solitude and the open seas..for simplicity and patience, kindness providing for generation. If I were a man, I would be my grandfather.

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I would have a difficult time finding clothes!

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two things that I havent experienced in this lifetime..........child birth (due to lack of uterus and female reproductive system) and bisexuality.........I'm hardwired for men and just can't go there with a woman. But I believe I've experienced all of those things in other lifetimes so I'm OK with skipping the baby thing this time around. I've made peace with my "psychic" womb and transgendered body, so I identify as a "third gender" person.

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I'd have my tubes tied ASAP!

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I'd have to fly to Denmark and get the operation.

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I’m glad I’m female. If I were male, I don’t think I’d like the pressure of not crying, because I cry all the time, over anything…happiness, sadness, cute kids, old ladies, that curiously touching yet manipulative commercial, etc. If I were a guy, I’d have to edit a lot.

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I often thought I was a gay man in my past life anyhow...

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As a homo, I already do gender differently by breaking the gender law that says men are supposed to be with women, blah blah blah. But I LOVE being a gender outlaw. I also love being a guy so my initial reaction is that I'd be sad not to be one.

That said, if I was female, I'd like to be like Joan Jett -- tough as nails, as femmy as I want to be, and unapologetic about all of it.

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i'd make a lot more money for doing the same job.

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I have a 29 yr. old son who is me in the opposite gender. Doors to amazing opportunities readily open for him. He's made and lost a couple of million this year alone. Because he has so little initial resistance, he often fails to fully appreciate situations. He relies more on charm than ability. His smile wins people over, but the lack of substance has ends up kicking his ass later. I can see my struggles helped me develop personally and professionally. I see how the ease of being a tall, handsome, white man with a great smile and winning personality lubricates life in so many ways...but it does not provide much additional cushion when things fall apart. So...I can see how being a man makes things easier AND harder. I think if I'd been born a man, I'd be a Class A Obnoxious Prick. Being a woman has tempered my inflated sense of worth, so maybe it made me a better person.

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I wouldn’t be able to be on the Derby, which would SUCK!

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If there were a third choice, I might consider it.

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The Marina would become a very, very scary place.

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That would not be good - way to much T

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I'd probably take much better care of myself.

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I'd probably play with my new genitals all day until I got bored with them, then go clothes shopping.

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I would do dream yoga sleeping on my left side instead of my right.

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I couldn't pass this one up!!

If I were a different gender I would undoubtedly be a lesbian since I adore women so much!!!

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I honestly think that life would be easier. Bigger guys dont stick out as much as girls, plus i could piss standing up and not worry about making a mess of myself!

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I'm sure I was - in a different lifetime. My parents probably expected me to be born male. I am my paternal grandfather's first female descendent. He had 7 sons and 6 grandsons when I arrived. My birth was celebrated by many - finally, a GIRL!!!!!!

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I am.

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you wouldn't be. use 'hope' as an example. i aske her if she was a man or a woman. she said 'i don't know' for him.

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Hopefully, I would be able to feel a living thing growing inside my stomach, or at least I would be sitting down when I pee and whole lot of other differences in biological makeups. On a psychological plane, I would probably communicate more and more often. Perhaps, feel things more. I am sure there are more things that I would experience, but sort of glad I am a guy.

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I could pee standing

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As a drag performer, I walk that line quite frequently. My personality would be the same, I'm just a bit meaner! A diva in every sense of the word!

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well, i know i wouldn't wear heels. i think my problem with codependency would be worse because i would relate even more with my mother in a way i might not have been able to resolve. and i would have a lot of fun with hair and clothes, because i already do, but there would be the possibility of more. i was just at rei the other day and all the fun hiking shoes with cool colors along the sides were women's. i heard myself saying, women get all the good stuff, when are guys going to be less boring??

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I wouldn't be going through menopause.

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It wouldn't surprise me. I have thought of myself as a gay man trapped in a woman's body for many years.

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Well, several responses come to mind. . .
1) I am a different gender.
2) Per last QOTW, I don't think it would make me any sexier.
3) When I was very young I had a yearning to be a little girl sometimes, I'm not sure why and
it was not a feeling that endured past the point when I discovered the experience of being
with little girls.
4) Many of the women my age seem just as frustrated, bitter, sometimes angry, sometimes hopeless,
stuck in their ways and unwilling to trust anymore as I frequently am so I don't really see how it
would make much of a difference at this point in my life.
5) Finally, in the zen way, every being possesses the yin and the yang. It is integral to our make-up and
fundamental in the navigation of the environment we exist in, whatever that may be.

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If i were female, I would have the most amazing shoe collection ever.

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I would have been a bad girl.

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And mine...

I feel somewhat in touch with masculine energy within myself, and consequently don't think I'd be dramatically different in temperament. I would make the most of having straight hips. I would wear very cool shoes. On alternate Thursdays, I'd dress like Shaft.

What makes you sexy?

My glasses.

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Doing nice things for other people and a few pushups a few times a week. Maybe some crunches too.

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I have a wonderful memory, but I can't remember that.

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The people that think I'm sexy.

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my exotic body......which is comprised of male and female features.......some call it 'the best of both worlds'. Others call it 'one stop shopping'. I like to think of it as a variation of god's work. And my voice.......people often comment on my telephone voice. Especially when I use the 'well modulated professional phone voice' at work. One client who works at Pixar actually said he'd like to use my voice in a production. It hasnt happened yet but I remind him now and again that my voice is available for his movie. I think having an air of mystery is sexy too. I strive to use restraint when first meeting people and take my time to warm up to strangers. I can be cautious to guard against an old pattern of compulsively disclosing myself to others. Mystery and my uniqueness is sexy.
Oh, and I find a spiritually devotional man to be sexy. Ever see a hunk of a man praying in earnest at an altar or in a temple?.....mmmmmm......totally sexy.

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My energy, and maybe my buitt.

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I'd like to think vulnerability, but I still think in terms of objectification.

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Paul Newman eyes ... silver hair ... and a nice smile

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Humor. And my deep blue bedroom eyes!

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Sexy? I don't know that I am...sexy. I do believe I am desirable and desiring. Listen, I'm married with a very comfortable, nice, and occasionally hot sex life. My husband says the sexiest thing I do is communicate my desire. It's not about what I wear, it's about how I signal my desire and love for him through touching, kissing, whispering. Lots of casual touches, compliments, and attention. Part of being desirable is in having confidence...so "looks" do come into play for me. Personal hygiene on the part of both partners is important to a great sex life. The playgrounds are kept neat and clean. Sexy to us is freshly showered (or in the shower).

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my keen investigative brain.

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times when I can focus on what I have instead of what
I lack.

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expensive jeans
they make me look like a model even though I'm not

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certainly confidence, but a pair of red stilettoes tend to do the trick too!

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Smoke and mirrors...........

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Hell if I know! I'm 2 weeks away from my 63rd birthday, weigh 60 pound more than I did in my prime, have bulging disks in 3 places in my spine, and arthritis. Life itself doesn't feel very sexy to me anymore. That said, I am glad to be alive. My mind still feels young, despite my years of life experience. I'm sure my life would have been very different, if I'd had the wisdom of my current years, when my body was young and beautiful.

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My ability to love and be loved!

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My newly shaved head. I’ve wanted to do it my whole life, and this summer, I did it. (I’m female, and will soon be 50.) What’s so curious is that I don’t know if it LOOKS sexy, but it certainly feels sexy. It’s me. It’s very, very, very me, and to my complete surprise, I feel very, very, very sexy. It’s my new ‘DO, baby!

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Tango music makes me sexy.

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a few hits of speed and my teenage memories

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I changed my mind I don't want to be on this list. It really stresses me out to get things like this sometimes. I know I know, call me Crazy :)

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Commitment to a spiritual path. Taking care of myself - body, mind, emotions.

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A nice suit of clothes and a fresh shave of face and head makes me
sexy. Not to mention my blue eyes and full lips.

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My guitar playing, song writing and poetry seem to be the things that are sexy to women but that's about as
far as it goes. In a one on one situation I just don't seem to come across as sexy anymore. Maybe 15 years of
a marriage and two kids have done that to me, but it's probably just me.

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my attitude and the fact that i thoroughly enjoy my life, but i keep getting comments about my ass, so maybe people aren't focused on my attitude. oh well.

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My laugh, my voice, my mind, my imagination.

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It's the way that I move. The things that I do. Whoahoh.

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And mine...

Courage.