Comments on language is wine upon the lips: My Vanilla Phobia

Hi Laurnie:) Glad you feel that way and thanks for...

2011-06-01T19:16:23.271-04:00

Hi Laurnie:) Glad you feel that way and thanks for the compliment! I have a terrible aversion to boredom and routine so I've worked really hard to always keep things exciting and moving forward.

This post was so refreshing. It is exactly how I f...

2011-06-01T17:10:31.842-04:00

This post was so refreshing. It is exactly how I feel daily, and I have saved it to remind me of what I believe when I start to think I should adapt to "vanilla"

I've read this blog entry a couple of times an...

2009-09-02T00:18:33.768-04:00

I've read this blog entry a couple of times and every time I read it, it reminds me of my leap of faith to leave NYC and travel around the States.

I really had no clue what I was doing at the time. I didn't have the money to actually go anywhere. What I did have saved ($1,300) I used to fund the first leg of my adventure. People said that I was crazy and some were excited for me. And I was truly afraid and fearful at first, even to the point of nightmares and constant tears. Because I was so used to the cocoon of conformity I wrapped around myself, it affected my entire way of life. And I hated it all. I hated myself.

I do not accept mediocrity anymore. I have no room for that in my life. Life is about taking risks. Sometimes they work out in your favor and sometimes you might fall flat on your face. But you never know what will happen unless you DECIDE to leap. And when I leaped, I landed right on my feet. IT IS YOUR LIFE and no one else will live it for you. So LIVE!

Thanks Karina! If there's anyone that knows th...

2009-08-20T12:14:38.952-04:00

Thanks Karina! If there's anyone that knows their food... it's yoooooouuuuu!

I agree - it's like the saying: Beauty is in the eye of the beholder. My vanilla can be someone's BLISS!

We all have our personal vanilla and it's all about isolating that unhappiness and doing something about it before we get in a rut and accept our mediocrity. I think you've been pretty good about following your bliss.

I just read a great quote from a blogging friend at http://wwwaphorismscom.blogspot.com/:

When in doubt, leap. One needs a little courage to live.

Great post, Cindy! I can definitely relate to what...

2009-08-20T12:03:08.353-04:00

Great post, Cindy! I can definitely relate to what you wrote. There are so many things I want to do and experience in my life, yet overall I could say that things are ok right now, some things being much better than others. This being said, at times I find myself comparing my life to that of others and occasionally feel like I'm just not doing 'it' right because 'they' are doing so much more, traveling more, going out more... you get the jist.

I've had to come to the realization that vanilla has earned itself a blah reputation that it may not necessarily always deserve. It's not so much about the vanilla in and of itself as it is about the quality of the vanilla. Afterall, there's nothing that brings out the flavor of a dense chocolate brownie, a tart apple pie, or luscious peach cobbler like a good scoop of vanilla bean ice cream. I guess you just have to know how to pair it! lol

I'm a rookie too:) Isn't amazing to connec...

2009-07-07T21:55:17.834-04:00

I'm a rookie too:) Isn't amazing to connect with others through your stories?! I find it absolutely fascinating and I can't believe it took me so long do it. I love it!

Hi Cindy, thanks for your kind words and thoughtfu...

2009-07-07T19:34:51.754-04:00

Hi Cindy, thanks for your kind words and thoughtful advice on my posts. You are absolutely right, the reason I decided to follow your blog is because I could relate to so many of the things you write about.. It amazes me how I have been able to connect with people from all over the planet.. sometimes it takes a lifetime to form a connection, and other times it only takes a matter of minutes..

I am very new to the blogging world, not a writer by any standard, but loving every minute of it so far...I am honoured that you are following my blog.

Thanks Durian Guy:) I can always count on you for ...

2009-07-07T01:47:15.424-04:00

Thanks Durian Guy:) I can always count on you for a virtual pat in the back! My family is proud and that means the world to me. XOXOXO

Hi Charmingly Cindy ... you already have a wonderf...

2009-06-30T10:53:19.170-04:00

Hi Charmingly Cindy ... you already have a wonderful legacy ... your blogs! and i'm sure your dad and sis are proud of you too!

Well dear Dave... that's a whoooooole other ty...

2009-06-29T21:41:04.024-04:00

Well dear Dave... that's a whoooooole other type of vanilla:))) Sounds yummy!

You should taste my vanilla scented chocolate tira...

2009-06-29T12:48:05.770-04:00

You should taste my vanilla scented chocolate tiramisù,...then let's see if you really hate vanilla ;;).

Hi Christine! I'm a big fan of your Blisschick...

2009-06-26T15:50:25.567-04:00

Hi Christine! I'm a big fan of your Blisschick! :) I like the "quite desperation".... that makes a lot of sense. And I agree - vanilla can also be loud of chaotic and it's still bland and icky.

Thanks for stopping by!!!

Thanks for stopping by and commenting on Blisschic...

2009-06-26T13:45:31.836-04:00

Thanks for stopping by and commenting on Blisschick so I could find YOUR wonderfully written and full of life blog.

Vanilla...yep. Or "quiet desperation" as our man Thoreau would call it.

I think people get confused, though. They think that we mean that life has to be DRAMATIC and BIG and LOUD in order not to be vanilla.

For some people, the most exciting life would be to have some peace.

Different for everyone.

And THAT is the point: if your life looks like all the lives around you, all the lives on TV, all the lives of all your family members, well...maybe, just maybe, you are living a "pre-programmed" existence and haven't really challenged yourself to make choices and take risks.

Hi Roger! I wish I could buy those happy pills! I ...

2009-06-26T00:49:52.611-04:00

Hi Roger! I wish I could buy those happy pills! I could use some when I'm stuck in Miami traffic:-p

I agree... no one is locked down to anything. I really believe the universe lets us know if we are on the right track and it's up to us to listen:)

I would like to find out if your attitude comes in...

2009-06-26T00:34:18.575-04:00

I would like to find out if your attitude comes in pill form!

It is true that we are never really locked into just one path. Often, we just think we are. I am old enough to have made a few smart moves that seemed stupid at the time and a few stupid moves that seemed smart at the time. I learned from each one.

You have an inspiring energy for life that comes through in your writing. Thank you for sharing it.

Namaste'
Roger

2009-06-26T00:33:11.704-04:00

This comment has been removed by the author.

Hi Jenny!! I'm so happy you stopped by! And I&...

2009-06-25T19:01:57.618-04:00

Hi Jenny!! I'm so happy you stopped by! And I'm even happier you liked my post:)))

It's like we all have these ideas of what life would be like and then we're all out of balance because it doesn't always work out that way. I'm glad to hear of everything you're doing! I actually clicked on your blog because I loved that picture of you on top of the world. I thought, well... anyone who's done that has to be interesting:)

I guess one of my biggest lessons is that life does happen, but we are always in control of what we choose to feel or do about it. It's not always easy, but as long as you at LEAST know that principle, then eventually you'll start practicing what you preach.

It's very nice to meet you and keep in touch! I'm going to go snoop around your blog now:-p

I agree Ebony! I'm up for chocolate and sprink...

2009-06-25T18:55:05.966-04:00

I agree Ebony! I'm up for chocolate and sprinkles ALL the time:) Blessings right back at ya!

Wow! I'm so glad you made a comment on my blo...

2009-06-25T08:25:20.814-04:00

Wow! I'm so glad you made a comment on my blog so that I could find and read this post!!!

I couldn't agree more. My life is not exactly as I thought it would be when I was planning for the future. Hubby and I thought we'd have a house full of kids and weekends filled with swimming lessons and little league games. I thought my destiny in life was to be a mother. Unfortunately, my body had other plans. So, rather than wallow in self-pity and maintain the life that "happened" to me, I accepted the inevitable and learned to challenge myself everyday to be who I want to be. I learned to hike, I learned to rock climb, I learned to love working out, I'm learning photography, I could go on and on. But, I think the point is that I learned that just because I'm not who I thought I would be doesn't mean I'm not who I want to be right now. Thank you for inspiring me to think about that!!! I look forward to reading more about you!

Sometimes I enjoy being vanilla. Sometimes I'...

2009-06-25T00:58:38.577-04:00

Sometimes I enjoy being vanilla. Sometimes I'll add chocolate chips. Sometimes I'll let go of the chocolate chips and add caramel sauce and sprinkles. Life is full of endless possibilities! I just go with the flow. Thanks so much for your post. Quite inspriring. Peace and blessings...

Thanks for chiming in with such a thoughtful comme...

2009-06-24T13:04:51.289-04:00

Thanks for chiming in with such a thoughtful comment! :)))

I guess I'm speaking from personal experience and choosing safe and vanilla NEVER made me happy. Sure, our happiness is always a choice and we can always make the best of whatever we choose. But why put yourself in a bland situation in the first place? I know I'm not in full control and what happens and the future is - for all intended purposes - quite uncertain. However, I'm finally aware of what does excite my spirit and I will tailor my life towards that:)

Hope to see you around here more often!

CHOOSE VANILLA!!! Or...don't. That's a cut...

2009-06-24T12:42:27.304-04:00

CHOOSE VANILLA!!! Or...don't. That's a cute cartoon sign - "memorable" vs "average," but in reality no such crossroad exists. Whatever choice we make, we can make it memorable or average... it's how YOU live the life you choose. Since we never get to know what the future has in store for us, AND in the future we can never know what life would have been like if we had chosen "chocolate" instead, I rather prefer Robert Frost's "The Road not Taken" and the perspective it yields... http://www.wsu.edu:8080/~wldciv/world_civ_reader/world_civ_reader_2/frost_road.html

So why not choose Vanilla!!?? With the present Cindy-full-of-knowledge-and-experience on that road it can only be amazing and wonderful. Don't be afraid...just choose...and live it! And when you get to the NEXT crossroad, you get to choose again. :)
In the resounding words of an admirable woman that I know, "Go ahead and ta-a-aste it!!!" ~ G.