How many lives have you led in this lifetime alone?

[eldragon]

People talk about time going by so fast, yet, to me : it seems I've lived a hundred lives.

From being a kid in a good famiy, and being good in athletics and music ; to growing into a rebellious teenager who literally had no cause to rebel against: to working dead-end jobs - never thinking about bettering myself; to marrying the wrong man and being abused for the better part of 4 years; to having his baby and getting a decent job so that I could finally leave him ; to buying my own house and becoming involved with another loser (our relationship was purely sexual,) to finding the right man and having another child ; and deciding to take a promotion to another state - after which I was fired and blacklisted ; to falling into a huge depression that lasted for years; to writing a book and getting it published; to volunteering and now - at 43 - going to college full time again.

Nevermind the death of my father and brother - there have been so many things I've gone through.

It seems I've lived 100 lives.

[LightHeart]

eldragon, I first want to say how much I love all your post, they are always very thought provoking.

It sounds like your life has come full circle.

I grew up in a house where we always got what ever we wanted, except for two things. Love and understanding. I too was an out of control teen, always running away and picking men that were way to old for me. Well I ended up falling in love and marrying one of the oldies, (bless his heart he just turned 60). I thought I had found inner peace a few years ago and then my dad died, and I struggled with guilt for awhile.

I still have a wild side to me, probably always will. But I have a happy safe home, 3 wonderful children, and a job that allows me a full range of freedom.

You must be so proud to have published a book. Just remember that all the bumps in the road that we face is what defines who we are. I am willing to bet that you are stronger and wiser today because of those bumps.

The one thing I have learned is always be true to yourself.

[NicoMoon]

What a great question and an even better post, eldragon! We must be having a psychic link, because I woke up thinking about the many facets, experiences, and relationships of my own life and how I would ever get them into a book, since it's been recommended to me to do so many times!


to writing a book and getting it published; to volunteering and now - at 43 - going to college full time again.

And here you are having written yours! Would it be off base to ask more about it, or where we might find it for purchase? I suspect that I'd love to read your book! You are also invited to shamelessly promote yourself here if you'd like!! :woohoo: :worthy: :woohoo:

Nevermind the death of my father and brother - there have been so many things I've gone through.

It seems I've lived 100 lives.

Yes, I'm beginning to realize that life is a far more complex and interesting adventure than we ever realized in our youth! I guess no matter how much we hear that, it doesn't sink in until the wrinkles begin! :eek:

Thanks for such a thoughtful post!

[LightHeart]

I am so glad you asked Nico, I would love to read the book too, I have a feeling from reading eldragon's posts I would love the book.

[eldragon]

You guys are great! Here's a link to my book:


http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/0977450554/sr=1-1/qid=1153578991/ref=sr_1_1/104-3165188-2541529?ie=UTF8&s=books

The book is about the ten years I spent in Las Vegas, working as a casino cocktail server at The Golden Nugget.

It's more about the people I worked with, and some odd guests, really, then it is about me. There were some real characters!


And yes, that was another part of my life! I miss that part, too. I miss the people I worked with for so long, and the closeness of it. I seriously hope to find that again someday.

If anyone does get a copy of my book - please (please) review it for me!

[Melos]

Elddragon - an excellent post. I too, often feel like I have lived far too many lives. I suppose that sounds negative, but really I am glad I experienced them all. At 32 (now), I feel as if I am finally coming into a positive adult experience/life for the first time. Our histories actually sound a lot a like: kid in good family, rebellious teen, abusive marriage, I had 2 babies before I escaped... and I hope to publish a book one day! :)

Each life adds something to the person. And I'm thankful for that.

[eldragon]

If I explained in detail how reckless I was as a teenager, young adult - you'd all wonder, as I have, how I managed to survive to tell about it.

I heard a saying just yesterday that applies. "A gem cannot be polished without friction, and so it also applies to man."

Or something like that.

[NicoMoon]

You guys are great! Here's a link to my book:


http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/0977450554/sr=1-1/qid=1153578991/ref=sr_1_1/104-3165188-2541529?ie=UTF8&s=books

The book is about the ten years I spent in Las Vegas, working as a casino cocktail server at The Golden Nugget.

If anyone does get a copy of my book - please (please) review it for me!

It sounds like a fun and interesting read, eldragon! I just ordered it, so a review should be forthcoming. I'll have to bump it to the top of my reading list, as I have accumulated quite a sizeable pile!

Thanks for sharing the link, I'm excited about reading it! :jump:

[TinyStar]

I can't say I've lived as much as you all. At 26, I've never lived in any other state but the one I was born in. I went from being a withdrawn and self concious teenager who was the constant scapegoat for others to pick on to a scared and lonely college kid. College was my major turning point - if I ever wrote a book, I think it would be on the benefits of college OUTSIDE of the education.
I learned to be my own person and make my own decisions. I learned what it was to do without when I had been raised in a family environment where I, thankfully, never wanted for anything.
I went through my times of lousy men as I tried to figure out what I wanted - from a 20something balding fellow who married another not more than a month after I booted him away from me, a 30 year old who desperately wanted me all to himself as well as barefoot and pregnant to an ex I stayed with for almost 4 years when I finally got the gal up to kick him to the curve after so many broken hopes.
Now I'm married to the best man I've ever known, despite some problems we might have now and then. I'm looking forward to moving out and going back to my own life once again. I miss college and all of the things I learned there, as well as they friends I made.

[eldragon]

It sounds like a fun and interesting read, eldragon! I just ordered it, so a review should be forthcoming. I'll have to bump it to the top of my reading list, as I have accumulated quite a sizeable pile!

Thanks for sharing the link, I'm excited about reading it! :jump:


Thanks so much! Please be sure and let me know what you think. Right now the book is only sold in some stores in California and in Las Vegas. The casino the book is written about, The Golden Nugget, also sells the book in it's gift shop. Of course, it's available online through many book sites, like Amazon, too.


My publisher just put a new publicist on it, so we're hoping to create a stir about it.

Thanks again!

[eldragon]

I can't say I've lived as much as you all. At 26, I've never lived in any other state but the one I was born in. I went from being a withdrawn and self concious teenager who was the constant scapegoat for others to pick on to a scared and lonely college kid. College was my major turning point - if I ever wrote a book, I think it would be on the benefits of college OUTSIDE of the education.
I learned to be my own person and make my own decisions. I learned what it was to do without when I had been raised in a family environment where I, thankfully, never wanted for anything.
I went through my times of lousy men as I tried to figure out what I wanted - from a 20something balding fellow who married another not more than a month after I booted him away from me, a 30 year old who desperately wanted me all to himself as well as barefoot and pregnant to an ex I stayed with for almost 4 years when I finally got the gal up to kick him to the curve after so many broken hopes.
Now I'm married to the best man I've ever known, despite some problems we might have now and then. I'm looking forward to moving out and going back to my own life once again. I miss college and all of the things I learned there, as well as they friends I made.


Hi, what do you mean, you look forward to moving out and going back to your own life again? If he's the best man you've ever known, aren't you going to try to save your marriage?

[TinyStar]

Hi, what do you mean, you look forward to moving out and going back to your own life again? If he's the best man you've ever known, aren't you going to try to save your marriage?

We live with my parents currently, so I mean the two of us moving into our own place and going back to having our own lives. He's put having his own life for quite some time (due to his mother's illness).

Sorry about wording that funny, haha.

[Melos]

Ha ha! I was wondering too TinyStar. Best man she's ever known and she's leaving? I'm glad your holding on to him!

[sweet_mayhem]

hmmmm...let me see...i once was a good daughter myself then i became not really rebellious but more broad-minded...i was a teacher for a time, a real estate agent, then now a freelance writer and a poet for most of my waking day..... :dork: