The Goldbergs – mywarriorwritings.com

Loosen Your Grip 🫴🏻💙🥹

Here we are in May warriors. This year is “running” by fast, isn’t it? You haven’t heard from me during this month since 2021. I took all of May off last year. A few posts of that time were about a dream with Dana and the Ultimate Warrior biography. Hard to believe that was 2 years ago, but we need to be in the now. When I thought of this title~ I thought of a song. Come on, it’s been a while since I’ve mentioned one! Loosen your Grip could also be like “Hold on Loosely” by 38 Special. Yeah, I hear that one a bunch. We keep holding on but never let go. That can be hard, don’t ya think? I guess literally I should’ve loosened my grip years ago from yardwork. I still have some callouses on my hands with those times past of raking leaves and shoveling snow! I’ve eased up on that manual labor as well as my workouts. Can I still do them all the way I used to? You bet I can but let’s just say the pains last longer nowadays. Yes, it makes us stronger but injuries aren’t what they were to my body in the past.

The idea of loosening up some came to me over the course of many months and a brief dream does connect. We’ll get to that in a bit. Most fans know of those many emotional dates in April connected to Warrior~ great, good, and bad but despite my own personal memories of those times, it lessens. I can recall any of them in a split second but the grip is softer now. Never forgotten and never gone but not as intense as before. Don’t worry, Warrior’s intense energy is still very much there 💥 and always will be but in new and different ways. That’s a good thing. Sometimes the waves are strong but other times they roll in much more calmly. I still get those “shaking ropes” of OMG but they are more controlled and relaxed now. It’s not like an old pair of shoes that seem worn out but more like a warm blanket embracing me at the right times. Same emotion, less grip. I’ve been through those heart palpitating moments that once were so scary (for real!) but now it’s endearing times of comfortableness.

We do need to let that extreme grip open up just a little to face what’s next. If you hold on so tight, you’ll never move ahead. It can be frightening warriors but if we don’t, our evolution in this lifetime becomes stalled and nobody wants that. Life will flow so much more your way if you release a little of whatever it is and experience something new. Your happiness becomes more of your purpose if you help to contribute to that great life you deserve to have. We all do. I have struggled in so much but by releasing control of my ever so present grip, it enabled the struggle to dissipate just enough so other great moments could enter. Warrior wants that for ALL of you too. It’s OK to hold onto an idea, project, person, or anything close to our hearts but not where you forget to be YOU and not the grip. I know for me, it’s such a challenge when I want that exact thing to remain constant and yet it never does. My kids didn’t stay little either as they never do. I’ve had to loosen my grip on them but I’m liking these new young adults in my life. See, it’s all OK…

Warrior loosened the grip on some areas in his life but we all know how he needed to in WWE (F) so other ideas could manifest… Here’s a little part of a dream I had which explains the photo below. I have plenty of other pics but it had to be from that 1992 interview before SummerSlam. That outfit he wore was so colorful, it must’ve stuck out for a reason since he had that on in this dream! It took place in a park and I had known him quite a while, since his days of bodybuilding I guess. That seems to be common lately but it’s so nice to get. 🥰 I was waiting for him and he shows up dressed like that from a taping of Superstars! I teased him saying if he’s recognized, he only has himself to blame. 😂 He laughed replying how he didn’t feel like changing but no face paint. I had lunch for us but he proceeds to put his leg up on a park bench very contemplative as we talked first.

He told me ( again- this was July 1992) how he felt the need to leave WWF. Fans can recall how he left in November but this dream depicted it differently. He was becoming frustrated with how things were going and decided to stay until the end of the year only. The grip was starting to loosen once again as it had in the past with wrestling. Warrior wanted to try new things and move on to a different type of career path. That’s exactly what he did end up doing only not from a park bench (: Other goals crossed his mind among personal ones as well and we both shared aspirations. I traveled as part of my career but now was pretty stable so he asked me questions about what I wanted more out of life. We did share some laughs as possible “what if’s” came into view and it was good to imagine while creating the new. I believe we did finally eat lunch but like with most other dreams, no true ending. That is well and good as life needs to be open without always definitive answers. It was a beautiful day outside in this park with blue sky and my favorite white cumulus clouds. 🌤️ No idea on if he was spotted as the Ultimate Warrior or not, but such a reflective dream. Nothing too over the top but now presented in a deeper more meaningful way.

Loosen your grip just a smidge and see what happens. I’m not asking you to freefall if you don’t want to but some of you might! If you hold on too tight, nothing else can ever get in. I know you want that grip on many things but you will know in your heart when it becomes too tight and those callouses form. Like 38 Special sang about: ” Just hold on loosely, but don’t let go. If you cling too tightly, you’re gonna lose control.” Now, I’m singing it! Don’t lose control but know the grip will still be there. It’ll just be more softer as not everything has to be restrictive where you feel suffocated metaphorically. It all won’t go as planned so release the HOW… Relax into yourself as even warriors should. Warrior’s energy I will always grip but not so much where I lose my OWN… 🙏🏻💪🏻🫵🏻

P.S. The series finale of “The Goldbergs” airs tonight on ABC after 10 seasons. I only started watching after my brother told me how they were doing a tribute to the Ultimate Warrior at the end of season 1. So glad I did watch and continued to do so… Many times did I reference this show… “The Cut-out” I blogged 9/29/21. This connected to my favorite episode ever about the boy band N’Sync. Not what you think though!

*** I also blogged “My Pouchie Faith” on 6/13/18 all about George Michael’s song “Faith” and Dana… For some reason, I can’t link them but feel free to read for nostalgia , I did!!!

P.P.S. Many of you have inquired about: http://www.ultimatewarrior.com

~ It seems to have been taken down once again but perhaps might be revamped? I have referenced it many times in the past but am not sure of its status now… If it is no longer available, my apologies but we have memories in other ways… 🤷🏻‍♀️💔

The Cut-Out 💙💪🏻🙋🏻‍♀️

This iconic image of the Ultimate Warrior was everywhere back then and still remains a fan favorite today. I have a connection with it, are you all that shocked? It’s just another fun teen moment that my memory brought out but it does involve a T.V. show in a way. The show was one I mentioned a few years back with “My Pouchie Faith” but more on that shortly.

Years ago when I roamed the mall as a teen it was cool to just hang out, go shopping, possibly meet up with friends, or whatever. No, I was never a “mall rat” but did use my babysitting money to buy a few fun things for myself. I always used the same entrance by JCPenney’s and TGIFriday’s restaurant. The people eating could look at shoppers through the windows coming and going. I miss that place. So, one day I went in and to the right was the GNC store. As I got closer, my steps slowed almost to a halt. Right in front of the store larger than life was a giant Ultimate Warrior cut-out with products next to him on the floor! It was that photo you see above. I just stopped and stared as again, something unexpected in front of me.

I did try to find out if Warrior ever endorsed their products since would they be allowed to use his image? Not sure but let’s just say I left the mall the same way I came in. I would’ve anyway but this cut-out made it extra special. Too bad I didn’t have a camera but who took one to the mall back then? No phones, people!

Now, we’ll connect the T.V. show. Any guesses? It’s “The Goldbergs” which still airs on ABC. The creator Adam Goldberg was a huge fan of the ‘ol WWF and even did a wrestling theme based episode once. They posted a tribute to Warrior at the end in 2014 but was that my favorite episode? Nope, not at all. The guys mentioned in that were mostly of the generation before Warrior but still, I loved it! The episode I am referencing was from 2015 titled:“DannyDonnieJoeyJonJordan” of New Kids on the Block or NKOTB. I had to look that up. I liked the Boy Bands but never “liked” any of the guys. The name says it all and rarely did I like “boys” if you’re feeling me here…

That episode had Erica’s brothers teasing her for the cut-out she had years prior of Donnie from the group. Donnie Wahlberg that is. She had put all that stuff away with being older and more mature ya know. The boys remake some of NKOTB’s music videos and that gets Erica thinking of her collection while feeling nostalgic. Adult Adam narrates the whole time and his reflection at the end got to me. I had put my small collection of Warrior stuff away because it didn’t need to be around and I didn’t need the reminder back then.

What he said though made sense. We can put our things away from those younger years but they are never forgotten. You can look back and reminisce but just not for too long. Erica didn’t bring back her Donnie cut-out permanently but just for a bit to hold onto again. I remember watching this in my bedroom while tears formed. I got what Adam meant and what Erica did. Most of you know, I am not a collector of U.W. memorabilia much at all and treasure my little things. I got it all out again instead of trying to pretend it never existed or that I’d be too sad to look at it once more after Warrior’s passing- even a year later.

Those collectibles of mine are part of me and I didn’t want to hide them in the attic anymore. They became my work for this blog, the book Spirit and Belief, and all that I put out there for fans like me. Just because I lived elsewhere, got married, had kids, and was older, it didn’t all have to go away. I don’t just admire what I own, I use it and it has helped with my healing. I can’t do Adam’s speech justice but it made me look at my situation better than I had before. That still remains my favorite episode and the other storyline involves the kids artwork over the years so similar with Erica and the boys of NKOTB. It was so funny and touching all at once.

I know most of you huge collectors have additional storage for all your U.W. stuff and it becomes a business like I blogged about as well. I will never sell my collection though. 😉I also would never have a huge U.W. cut-out in my room but to each their OWN. My things will stay forever a part of me in a special way. Oh-“Macho King” Randy Savage tears up that iconic poster of Warrior on a clip of “The Ultimate Collection” DVD and during their WMVII contract signing he says this: …” and I’m gonna take you Ultimate Warrior and I’m gonna make you extinct, oh yeah I am!” *** Even though Warrior is physically gone along with Randy, both will never be extinct to me!

P.S. Did you know Mike “The Miz” of the WWE was recently on “Celebrity Wheel of Fortune?” I never watch that but so glad I did! He played for Connor’s Cure… He also is a contestant this season on “Dancing with the Stars” AND the Ultimate Warrior was the reason he got into wrestling! He’s from Ohio like me… Thanks to Miz for mentioning Warrior on both shows!!! 🥰👏🏻

www.spiritandbelief.com

*** Find me here for book info on how Warrior’s energy inspired me to trust signs I was getting.. It’s filled with humor, some psychic info but nothing too serious, family stories, and more! You can also find it on Amazon and other outlets. I write a more spiritual blog there too so check it out!

*** You will see me also on Twitter, YouTube, and some U.W. Facebook groups (:

My “Pouchie” Faith

I have gone back and forth a while now on whether or not to tell this story but with Warrior’s birthday a few days away, it’s time to share it with you. Let’s back up a few years with an episode of “The Goldbergs.” Adam Goldberg was a huge Ultimate Warrior fan and they have referenced wrestling a few times on the show. I love this show since the 80’s were a coming of age decade for me and am so glad Dana loves it too.

The beginning of an episode had the character of Adam dancing and lip syncing in his bedroom to the song “Faith” by George Michael. Good thing I didn’t go upstairs then to say goodnight to my daughter or would’ve missed the whole thing! Am sure most of you know the lyrics and this was the very beginning of the song. In the background on his shelves were The Ultimate Warrior and “Macho Man” Randy Savage wrestling buddy dolls! I will always picture that scene every time I hear “Faith” and still do. Warrior and Randy together again for a memory of mine.

Fast forward a few years to just a couple of months ago. I had been thinking of a way to get my book to Dana even though it was a long shot but the thought remained. I was driving home from my hair appointment and turned on the radio. The song playing was “Faith” by George Michael. I smiled and sang along like I always do. It was then that I noticed this car’s license plate stopped next to me at a light. The plate said “POUCHIE” and I thought of Dana.

Warrior had called her “poochie” and she has mentioned this periodically. He even acknowledged her in the crowd as “pooch” during his HOF speech. It was spelled differently but I still noticed. Then, I started saying “pouchie faith” just for fun since I always believe! It could’ve been “pouchy” with its pronunciation but to me, it was “poochie!”

The next few weeks “pouchie faith” stayed in my head whether or not I heard “Faith” on the radio. A month or so later, Dana started her podcast “Total WARRIORS.” As previous readers know, I called in and was able to speak with her. That was my “pouchie faith” revealing itself to me. Not “poochie” or getting my book to her, but I’ll take it!

Let’s look at this from another angle I have said before. It’s so much fun with a group of threes whether you think like a three count or spiritually. It’s been magical and I can attest to that. The wrestling buddy doll, ( again!) the song “Faith,” and a license plate (again!) I can’t forget “The Goldbergs” which started it all lining up.

You can have your “faith” however it works for you whether it’s a show, song, or license plate. Whatever way you choose, just believe and those signs will appear. I wasn’t too sure about this post as it concerns a term of endearment Warrior used for Dana but she has been very open with it so now it’s my turn.

I know the Warrior Girls will remember Warrior this Sat. the 16th in the best way that works for them and I will too. ❤️ He will be with his “poochie” and girls while sending them all his love. I am continually humbled and grateful for all the opportunities I have been given sharing my Warrior moments, even though some are extremely personal. Like he said: “ the right story is the full story…”

Share yours since you never know who might be reading, listening, or becoming impacted. I am forever thankful Warrior shared his, Dana is sharing hers, and now I can share mine. Get that “Faith” and keep it!

P.S. I recently took my first Zumba class and the instructor’s name was Dana. She played the song “Faith” by George Michael. I REALLY had to keep it together without laughing!!! 😳😂

~~~ Happy Birthday Warrior 💪🏻🌻⚡️🌟🎈💖🙏🏻✍🏻 ~~ I am that storyteller keeping your legacy alive…

Kathy

www.spiritandbelief.com