Introduction

Hello beautiful people, and welcome back!

Truth be told I woke up today with a ton of anxiety over this blog. I’m having anxious feelings because I personally do not suffer from anxiety, and I know that hits home for many people. I felt completely drained and was dreading this post.

I have hired my favorite English teacher to be my editor. My sister is also a grammar psycho, so this unedited post may get me in a bit of trouble. The only part of the blog I have written without a second set of eyes was the front page, which since has been edited. Why you ask? Well… apparently I had written the word wether when it should have been whether. According to my sister, “wether” means a castrated ram. Hahahaha. I kind of like that word better, but for the sake of all you English/Grammar peeps I changed it. I have now hired an editor. Her name is Kristen, however, I (and the rest of my family) call her Shredz; we have been friends since 2010. In 2014, Kristen, I, and two other friends traveled to Greece and Italy. We met some fellow travelers, and when someone asked Kristen what kind of teacher she was I told them she was a history teacher. If looks could kill, I’d be dead hahahahahaha. Apparently she is an English teacher, and I am a terrible friend lol. With that said, here we are five years later, and I couldn’t be happier she does, in fact teach English.

As I sat in church, I couldn’t stop thinking about the blog. My heart felt really heavy about what I had last written. Earlier in the day I had re-read the post I submitted over to Shredz, and I hated it. It was a snooze fest lol. It felt scattered, and the flow was anything, but flowing. Long story short, I decided it sucked! It didn’t feel very “Reenie-esque.” I promised myself I would post every Sunday, and I wanted to stick to that timeline, but not at the risk of posting something I hated. I felt like a failure , and I have only written one post. Everyone seemed to really enjoy the first blog, and I wasn’t about to let the second one be a giant flop! There I was in church asking “my main man” God for some assistance. As time went on, and I sat there listening to all of the readings, my anxious feelings started to subside. I was so relieved as I left church because I knew I just had to “wing it.”

A few of my good friends asked if they could share the blog, and I said if it was in their hearts to do so then I was certainly not opposed. I just want it to grow organically, and not be shoved down anyone’s throat.  So what I decided on for today’s post was an introduction. So here goes nothing.

My nickname is Reenie. My full name is Maureen, but no one on Earth calls me that, and they never have. Reenie is such a weird name, but after 37 years, and knowing how weird I am, it is pretty fitting. I am the middle child of three kids. My parents have been married for almost 41 years. I have four nieces and four nephews. I only know how old Madison is (slightly because she is the oldest), and don’t ask me anyone else’s birthday. As you can see, I am in the running for the “World’s Best Aunt.” I am not married. I know the horror. LOL. I was engaged at twenty-six, and called off my wedding two months before I was supposed to get married. It was after that incident that I promised myself I would never settle for less than I deserve.

I graduated college in 2005 with a BSN in nursing. I went right into the Operating Room out of nursing school, and was immediately put onto the open-heart team. I left the OR in 2010, and got into the Medical Device industry. I know a lot of people love dogs more than humans, but I love people. I have never been an animal person, and it is scary to admit that because people feel pretty passionately about their pets. I like dogs, but I feel the same way about dogs that I feel about men. I never like any guy I date from day one. I want to know who you are and what you are all about. LOL. I love laughing more than anything. People who make me laugh, and laugh with me are everything. Traveling sets my soul on fire, and I am that person who loves getting to the airport two hours early. I don’t really know how I feel about zodiac signs, but when I read about the Aquarius woman, my mind was blown because it is so me.

I was born in 1982 at half time of the super bowl. According to my mom, I was lucky it was half time because people had less interest in my birth than the game. Umm…Thanks mom?? I grew up in the Catholic Church. I prayed since I was a kid, but ran from God for years, and years, and then some more years. Jesus is now my homeboy, and we became good friends when I reached my thirties. He is a big part of the story, so I have to include Him here. When people ask me if I am religious it makes me uncomfortable. My response is always “Can you define religious for me?” Yes I pray, go to church, do missionary work, and try to live like a Christian. Yes, God is the reason for my joy, peace, and happiness. God is also behind the healing in my story, which you will read about in this blog. That said, I also curse, drink, say inappropriate things at times, and keep my religion to myself for the most part. I am not an angel, and never have been. I’d love to say I am a virgin for the sake of my dad, who I really hope never reads this lol. I like letting him live in his bubble. I used to be 90% partier 10% grandma. Now I am 10% partier 90% grandma. I still have that wild streak, but can we please day drink, so I can go to bed at 10pm?

It took me years to accept both parts of myself, and I do believe it contributes to why I am single. I always felt like I had to choose one part of myself, and work on getting rid of the other side. I can say with a happy heart both parts are here to stay. I cannot be fake, and tend to gravitate towards people who are unapologetically themselves. When I said I love people I meant ALL people. I don’t care what race, religion, gender, sexual orientation, age, and socioeconomic class you are. My ex fiancé gave me one of the best compliments I have ever received, although at the time I was like what the F?! We were in pre-cana (it is a class the Catholic church makes you take prior to marriage), and when asked what he loved the most about me he responded, “What I love the most about Reenie is that she loves everyone even if they are not her kind of people.”  With wide, horrified eyes I literally mouthed to him “what the F does that mean?” Hahaha The best way I can describe to you what he was saying is that I can hang out in a biker bar with the people who ride Harleys and are covered in tattoos or some of the most well-known heart surgeons in the world at the Ritz for a gala. We are all HUMAN!

I started competing in bodybuilding competitions in 2016, and it was one of the best decisions I ever made, while also connecting me to some of the best women I have ever met! It has helped me become a better version of myself, and has showed me strength I never knew I possessed. I grew up thinking I was an extrovert, but over the past four to five years, I’ve realized I am an extroverted-introvert. I recharge alone. I am obsessed with self-improvement, and helping others. I truly want what is best for people, and believe there is enough success to go around. I believe in letting my own light shine, in the hopes that others will do the same. Life is short and difficult, so let’s conquer it together!!!

What is the point of all this? I am here to share my story with you in hopes that as I take you through some of my darkness, you will step into the light with me. I want to expand on how I got to where I am today, how I conquered some of my inner demons, and pass on all of the knowledge I have gained on my own journey to real self-love, with you all.

My challenge for us this week is to take the pressure off. If you are entering a new phase in your life, moving, starting a new business venture, a new job, a new way of eating, a new workout style or any other challenge that may feel uncomfortable, I want you to continue to remind yourself to “take the pressure off” to be perfect. Let us all know that on the other side of uncomfortable, lies greatness! We can celebrate our small wins together!

“All the concepts about stepping out of your comfort zone mean nothing until you decide that your essential purpose, vision and goals are more important than your self-imposed limitations.” - Robert White

To Be Continued……

All My Love,

Reenie

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