Setting the Record Straight

Today is cleaning up day - setting the record straight so to speak.

Rather than responding to all different comments, emails and Facebook messages, I've decided to do it once - right here, right now - for everyone to read.

1. Yesterday's nude photo of me was in fact Photoshopped (it was supposed to be funny). It's my oversized head atop of another woman's body (wasn't that obvious?).
   
   Said body was chosen because private bits were covered - and I thought it'd give the image a PG rating instead of XXX.
   
   For those who want to see the REAL me naked (and still remain within a PG rating), check out my YouTube video embedded below. It's a photo montage of the day I modelled nude for Australian artist Samantha Lord, and salvaged my self esteem.
   
   
2. My initial upset over the failure to ignite a global conversation to support others going through grief, was largely to do with failing to ignite a global conversation to support others going through grief. I was not upset about having 'no comments' (thankfully that was cured post 'I am revolting').
   
   
3. To Chanel who wrote:
   
   "YOU were my light, you were the voice of HOPE, you held my hand and told me it would be ok. I WILL LOVE YOU FOREVER for standing there naked with me!"
   
   My first response to you is - YOU are my light, YOU are the voice of hope, thank YOU for reminding me all will be okay. I also love you forever and thank you for standing naked with me.
   
   My second response is yes, I was talking about you. While I am utterly inspired by you and your miracles, I don't reveal the identity of family or friends without consent. You (as in all of you who are reading this right now and have spotted yourself in a story), are more than welcome to reveal yourselves in the comments (not that I'm begging for comments - didn't I say that I was cured?).

Until tomorrow, if records need to be straightened - straighten them.

Grace xx

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Well, well... well (the sequel)

I've had time to ponder since yesterday's post and it seems you have too.

Here are the responses I've received thus far:

1. Remind ourselves how blessed we really are... far better to focus on the positive and count your blessings if you want to fill your well
   
   
2. Ride your bike, it fixes all the world problems one pedal stroke at a time
   
   
3. What if you dont have time to ride your bike... and you know how blessed you are but you still can't shake it off?
   
   
4. Dig a hole... go outside, grab a shovel, dig a hole and plant something... spending time in the sunshine, nurturing a small patch of earth and making a investment in your future is an exercise in hope

Firstly, THANK YOU!

Now for my responses:

1. Reminding ourselves how blessed we really are is being grateful for having a well in the first instance. Counting our blessings is also useful. We could do this literally by having a container that is our 'well' (i.e. jar or empty ice cream container) and then write our blessings on scraps of paper (recycle) and fill the well one blessing at a time - I like it!
   
   
2. If one has a bike, is capable of riding and loves it, then brilliant. If not, then one must find an activity that is engaging and fulfilling. For me, it's being playful and creative for fun (as opposed to being creative for work). This morning I chose to colour in the well. I was completely absorbed, in the moment and most importantly I was using a part of my brain that doesn't get as much exercise as the other side that does all the thinking and worrying.
   
   
3. I also have moments when suggestions 1 and 2 don't work for me. This happens when I am in serious 'drought'. What I is I tell myself that every drop is progress. You know how a dripping tap can fill a sink? Same thing. One drop at a time, or as No. 2 suggested, "one pedal stroke at a time". I also look at what's emptying my well faster than I can fill it and takes steps in addressing it.
   
   
4. Spending time in the sun (without falling asleep and burning to a crisp, but that's another story) is brilliant for filling the well with vitamin D and increasing serotonin production. Nurturing something to grow in a patch of dirt sounds lovely, though I don't have a patch of dirt where I'm living right now, but am now considering adopting a plant next door.

Once again, thank you for your contributions.

Until tomorrow, keep filling the well and mend the leaks.

Grace xx

If it ain't broke... DON'T FIX IT!

I'm feeling sick to the stomach.

This morning I decided I'd upgrade my comments to a clever new product called DISQUS, which is what all the cool bloggers use (act cool, become cool - that's what I thought).

I was following the prompts till I got to this crossroad:

• Use Disqus Comments on future blog entries only.
  
  
• Use Disqus Comments on all blog entries. Any existing comments can be imported in.

For some INSANE reason, I chose the latter option... and ALL my old comments have completely disappeared!

NOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOO!!!

Could they be lost forever? Have they gone to sock heaven (aka the washing machine's version of the Bermuda Triangle)? What has happened to them? Where are they? HELP...!

I have spent the last two hours Googling, going to blog forums, help menus, FAQs and practicing deep breathing techniques in order to reinstate my old comments before I pass out. I am totally freaking out.

Why?

Because loosing those comments is like loosing pieces of history. I LOVED your input. I loved what you had to say, your clever remarks, your encouragement, your witty humour, your wise words, your thought provoking responses.

I AM SO UPSET!

I hope to somehow, in some way, get in touch with some human being who may be able to save me from the tragic loss of those wonderful comments.

Until tomorrow, remember one thing... if it ain't broke, DON'T FIX IT!

Grace xx