Turning 50 years old in this surreal time through which our world is trying to navigate is, for me, a bit scary. I’m married and have a 6 year old and a 12 year old. Starting a blog has been on my “bucket list” for a few years and I vowed to myself that no matter what (not that I ever thought our world would be fighting a pandemic at this time in my life), I would publish my first blog on or before my 50th birthday (just 4 days left–omg!).

So…here it goes.

I feel so very blessed to be where I am, have what I have, know what I know and be loved by so many amazing people. Once upon a time I wrote often, but over the years my creative side has sort of slipped away because … well, I can’t really say why — change of priorities I guess. I believe that right now writing is just what I need to guide me to where I know I should be.

I always say that I’m not being negative but that I’m a “realist”. My mind and heart are both now showing me that the truth is that I am negative and that important realization is causing me great stress. I know that stress is not my friend and I truly believe that the key to achieving the “zen” feeling for which I’ve been searching lies in learning to see life in a positive light.

My oldest daughter use to say “doppadopp” when she wanted us to “pick her up” and we just thought it was the cutest phrase. Honestly, I can’t really remember many of her other first words but for some reason “doppadopp” has stuck in my mind and it “picks me up” when I say it?! (Motherhood has taught me that the strangest of things can make me happy.)

So, this is me, finally starting my blog that I’ve chosen to call “doppadopp” — I believe that writing will help to “pick me up” and it’s my intention to write about peaceful places and positive people so that I’ll feel a shift in my being. Yes, I’m dreaming of peaceful places and dreaming of positive people … I know I can create peaceful places all around me when I become one of the positive people of whom I’m dreaming.