Tag: Ultimate Warrior

The Silver Feathers

Are you aware of #ThrowbackThursday? Well, I’m gonna switch that today to #ThrowbackWednesday because I can! My reason is this story to share that relates to three others very similar. Those were about a candle lantern, a real sign, and a feather box. All have been blogged but the candle lantern story is told in my book Spirit and Belief. Those items were bought in actual stores but that feather necklace you see on the right was bought in the Amazon store.

The Ultimate Warrior had a feather earring somewhat similar to mine but is that why I bought it? OF COURSE NOT! Several months ago, I wanted some new jewelry that reflected my spiritual life now. Sometimes it’s just bad karma I guess since most of my stuff breaks! I just blogged about karma on my other site a few days ago… I love all my jewelry and wear most frequently so probably shouldn’t anymore.

Handmade pieces are the best because of the personal craftsmanship and time involved. Many spiritual shops or fairs will sell jewelry made of crystals or delicate gems. It’s so hard to decide. I had three crystal bracelets and all fell apart! Ugh.. I still display them but decided to move onto necklaces. A few I do have use these cord ties which come loose. What’s a girl to do? Buying in person is usually my thing but Amazon seemed the way to go. My pink quartz heart necklace with the Tree of Life always gets compliments but I wanted another. Feathers popped in my head and how perfect for this journey! Check out previous posts on feathers or in my book and you’ll know why. 😉

This silver one caught my eye which made me look no further. Yay for stronger chains and these new necklaces are working out well. Little did I know or even remember Warrior sporting an earring or two back then. I seemed to recall a stud but a feather was too far to go back in the ‘ol noggin. The Ultimate Collection DVD is now almost 6 years old and never did I notice until recently. I actually used that image in “Longevity’s Long Life” if you look suuuper closely. He did have his mask as part of it but it wasn’t until a YouTube video made me notice more. I just laughed yet again at such a silly similarity! 😂 After all, he did send me my first feather since I always believe. Here’s the 1st video you see above:

https://youtu.be/GFvzQhzsg9o (3:25)

Here’s another:

https://youtu.be/12d0I4C-fOE(1:42)

~~ Videos Credited to RocketFuel. Great memories with interviews and promos of U.W. for all you fans!

Have you ever noticed something for the first time warriors when it’s really been there all the time? For me, it seems to be a constant that doesn’t end- even years later. Items can serve you well even if you aren’t aware at the time. It all connects to synchronicity and your life. I’ve also mentioned my past with old VHS wrestling tapes. I would never notice something for years and then see it for the first time after owning it a while. For many of you it’s a little different as am sure it is! It can be anything but I’m talking about a personal connection that means something. Not just a new outfit or haircut. We’ve all watched our favorite shows or movies over and over again. Did you notice a scene or reaction of someone in a different way? I bet you have..

Maybe someone has done something anonymously for you without your knowledge over time? You can be like me with getting signs. Do you see something many times over again that seems significant but you shrug it off? Pay attention since those signs do mean a connector to you in some way. It doesn’t have to be feathers at all. I actually see the word warrior in just about every book I read-for real! Sometimes, it doesn’t even seem to fit at all. Now, I know better since without me knowing then, it IS the right book at the time.

Here’s a quick example: We recently got rid of our old bedroom carpet and now have this beautiful new gray wood flooring with a big area rug. What if this were you but felt intimidated taking on a massive project? Over the course of a few days, you hear the song: “Magic Carpet Ride” on the radio, a store is having a huge blow-out sale on flooring, and a friend mentions this new tapestry she just bought. That’s how it works warriors. Mine was kinda like that with the silver feathers. Broken bracelets, wanting something spiritual, finding the DVD image, and the YouTube video. So many stories have lined up that way with me on this ride with Warrior and it is truly ultimate!

Try to look at something in a different way for the first time. Really observe and you might notice a new perspective. It can be silly or extremely personal. Either way, your noticing matters and connects to YOU. I love my silver feather as a I know Warrior approves! 🙏🏻💙

P.S. I do have a “Warrior” totem engraved on a necklace. I didn’t even know that when first picking it up at a fair years ago. It’s similar to the “Warrior” crystals I have too. The string on the necklace broke but luckily I had an extra chain (: I’m wearing that necklace in the post “Speak Your Truth Warriors” blogged 10/17/18.

www.spiritandbelief.com

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My OWN Wrestling Stories…

I always have wrestling stories warriors BUT these few are a little more personal to me. Just when I thought getting surprised by people wouldn’t faze me anymore, lo and behold– they do. My Dad is the subject for a bit today. Don’t think I’ve mentioned him much besides when he first introduced the WWF to our house in the early ’80’s. These stories had me smiling like I won a belt without even fully trying.

Several summers ago I invited my Dad to bring his dog over after dinner which he still does. He has this greyhound that loves running around the yard with our mutt. The kids were chasing the dogs and Dad and I sat on the patio. Randomly, he said how something of interest to me was in the paper a few days prior. My “wrestler friend’s” birthday was listed and he wanted to share that with me. Of course I know when Warrior’s birthday is but how sweet of him to say as I got a little nostalgic and teary. 💔

Another time with Dad was last year at one of my daughter’s band concerts. He sat next to me and is quite the talker. Again, randomly mentions how he and his Dad (whom I never knew) went to a pro wrestling match many years ago when he was growing up in Michigan. WHAAT? Why am I just hearing this now and why at a concert? I don’t remember who they saw but never really thought he liked it much at all. It was just something he turned on the T.V. for us kids to watch. OMG…😳

Next, he discussed the days of Angelo Poffo (aka– Randy Savage’s Dad.) Where is this coming from? I was listening so intently while silently giggling during this concert. Again, he has a hard time being silent and despite my flute player, I just had to listen to him. He ended the conversation by saying how relieved he was to hear about Roman Reigns being in remission with leukemia. So great that you care Dad. 💙 He rarely talked much about our ‘ol WWF performers back then but times do change and I am grateful for our talks. ***A side note– my Grandpa (whom I never knew) passed of a fatal heart attack in his early fifties similar to someone else…

Pro Wrestling really is part of my family in a way as I have realized many connectors. When this blog started, one story I mentioned contained a P.S. with my Great-Grandma following Gorgeous George. My Mom had told me this as his “demeanor” was quite similar to Randy Savage. They even used the same music! She followed Gorgeous George and my husband followed Andre the Giant. Sorta… You read that right. He’s my next topic.

This was another shocker that had me awed. Some may know how my husband wrestled in high school so the pros– well, it’s just fake to him and that’s it. We were eating dinner in a restaurant a few months ago during the football playoffs. Besides football being on, one T.V. was showing “real” wrestling. Huh? Who turns that on? No offense to anyone but that isn’t typical in a bar scene. We were taking and he proceeds to tell me how he DID watch Andre a few times back in the day. Once again, why do I not know this? Am sure Warrior would be laughing.. 😆 I ran with this and went on and on about real injuries, entertainment, and such. I also said how I owned some movies as he might be aware if ever he wanted to watch??? A door had opened a little and I SLAMMED it open more. I probably overwhelmed him but first the “Fighting with My Family” movie and now this. Just WOW on my end.

The last family wrestling story is that of the “real” stuff on the bar T.V. My cousin was married to a guy that coached for years while also raising their two boys in the sport. One excelled better than the other but they surprised me. The one that excelled is NOT raising his three boys to be wrestlers but the other is. He also has coached them and all three of HIS boys are wrestlers. How ironic is that? I remember those two Dads as boys wrestling and now it becomes generational to one. Their Dad is beaming in Heaven… 🙏🏻 BTW– their Dad shared Warrior’s birthday year…

My cousin (their mother) and I just recently last summer connected spiritually . She was a young widow like Dana but remarried many years ago. No idea that she bought my book and has had spiritual gifts her whole life! Her middle son and daughter do also. Another surprising Wow moment as we have had many conversations. I feel so honored knowing our blood shares this beautiful gift of knowing the afterlife more. Neither of us knew of the other’s situation and I never would’ve guessed the many family stories she shared with me.

My wrestling stories may not be exactly like yours but we need to share to learn. You never know what WOW moments could be behind that wrestling “curtain.” Wrestling really is part of my family history and I OWN it always! 🤼‍♀️💪🏻

www.spiritandbelief.com

#alwaysbelieve 👍😉

Who’s Your #GOAT? 😬🤔

I’m not talking about a real goat here so please stay with me! 🐐 So, warriors what does an actual goat have to do with this week’s post? I thought about that for a bit and realized how hilarious it would be to use a REAL goat instead of my original idea. Am sure you’ve all heard this expression by now of #GOAT. If you haven’t, it stands for the“Greatest of All Time.” Some athletes have even uttered (or should I say uddered!) 😉it about themselves or use with their twitter handle. My original idea involving pro-wrestlers was to list so many names- mostly from my generation on a huge piece of paper. I still will make that list in this post but an actual pic of a goat made me laugh! It’s great to have humor…

The Greatest of All Time is such a huge concept to even consider. We only seem to mention this with sports for some reasons. If it does apply to other interests, let me know! Do we say we’re the greatest parent of all time? No, because none of us parents are. How about other professions like teaching? I never said that about myself and never will. Does anyone say they’re the greatest driver of all time? Cook? Dancer? How about writer? ( wink, wink!) ~~ Sub any words of your choice. Maybe some use that expression but most don’t. Why is it just for athletes? Even movie stars or other famous people don’t refer to #GOAT.

After the horrific helicopter crash ending the life of Kobe Bryant, his daughter, and several others💔, my son had a conversation with me and his Dad. He was deeply affected by this tragedy. Of course, Kobe and his very exceptional life achievements were all over the news. My son asked if Kobe would be considered a #GOAT. So interesting to answer considering his remarkable career. My answer to him was that I believe it to be generational. I know this is how it comes across with other sports and not just basketball. 🏀

There is so much to factor in with the equation of being a #GOAT. Sure, some use it as an ego boost and in many ways, that does help. Some use it too much in an unhealthy way where humility is forgotten. Kobe Bryant had tremendous respect for others in his sport before him that set such precedents. For his generation, yes he would be a #GOAT but overall, no. I bet he’d agree. You might not and that’s fine. I mean absolutely no disrespect to him at all.

Just because someone is your favorite athlete, would that make them a #GOAT? Nope, that’s just your opinion and you can have one. For women, it is a little different considering they haven’t participated in professional sports as long as men so the generation gap will be closer together. It’s similar to someone getting inducted into a Hall of Fame. Popularity isn’t the only factor. It’s quite an arduous process. Maybe some of you think I’d be extremely biased and choose the Ultimate Warrior as a #GOAT. I would not. There are those that will agree but there are those that won’t. Lots factor in. Warrior didn’t even truly want a title belt much so being a #GOAT would not be part of his mindset. Realistically, it shouldn’t even be a hashtag or part of social media at all. It certainly does spark conversations though that never seem to end.

Brother Love of WWE fame is quoted as saying at the time of the steel cage match between “Macho King” Randy Savage and the Ultimate Warrior that the Macho King is “the Greatest World Wrestling Federation Heavyweight Champion of all time past, present, and future.” That was in 1991. I know Randy and Warrior were close but is Randy a #GOAT? BTW– that steel cage match is mentioned in my book Spirit and Belief as “Me Next!”

Hulk Hogan started a whole new generation of entertainment with his All-American look which skyrocketed to mainstream culture. Is he a #GOAT? Well, Mean Gene Okerlund stated that before Hulk’s WMVI interview. Some could say definitely yes but again generations play a significant role. One cannot even compare yesteryear’s “technical” wrestlers to today’s “entertaining” performers. The #GOAT’s will always be there and we all have a say.

Well, here’s my list I mentioned from the beginning so keep in mind many others. Again, my generation as you will all have yours…

*** Possible #GOAT’s? ( am not listing Tag Teams or women)

* Hulk Hogan, *”Macho Man” Randy Savage, 💙Ultimate Warrior, Andre the Giant, “Rowdy” Roddy Piper, Honky Tonk Man, Bret “The Hitman” Hart, *Undertaker, *“Nature Boy” Ric Flair, Dusty Rhodes, Sting, Shawn Michaels, “Ravishing” Rick Rude, “The British Bulldog” Davey Boy Smith ( HOF this year!) “Stone Cold” Steve Austin, “The Rock” Dwayne Johnson, and John Cena.

*** I tried to list a few more than just the 80’s! You can add others as I trimmed this list! ~~Notice how I * the Undertaker for those who have heard my stories! U.W. gets a 💙not an *. Also, you can’t compare Hulk’s generation to that of John Cena’s.

P.S. Whoever your #GOAT is, I’m kinda fond of the REAL goat up above. They’ve always been my favorite on a farm or petting zoo! They’re so animated and entertainers “of All Time!”

~~~ Personally, Warrior will always be my #GOAT for many reasons. 💙😉🙏🏻

www.spiritandbelief.com

Family Business Banter

Do any of you come from a family business or feel the need to pursue your passions based on those before you? Kerry Von Erich came from a wrestling family as did many others. Am sure avid fans know of the Poffo’s,(Randy Savage, his Dad, and brother) the Hart’s, Neidhart’s, Flair’s, and of course the McMahon’s. I could list so many more and they continue today. What if you didn’t come from a wrestling background like Warrior? It doesn’t mean you won’t succeed. I actually do come from some writers in my family but never felt pressured to be one.

I bet there are even some whose families pressure you into succeeding in an area they didn’t. Maybe it was a profession they once tried and failed at so now they see an opportunity in your life. They might live their dream through you but is it what YOU want? Some families even have names as part of a “tradition” but when your first is born, you are against it! Yep, that was me. I wasn’t dishonoring but not conforming and there is a difference. Even England’s Royal Family has their share of banter with the recent news of Harry and Meghan. It does affect us all.

I am reminded also of singer Shania Twain. She has always been one of my favorites and I read her autobiography years ago. Being Canadian, she was ostracized for wanting to record country music. That didn’t stop her. She didn’t have much family banter but business banter and that’s an issue too. Stephanie McMahon had to work her way up in the WWE without just having her last name as a bonus. She has mentioned this several times in various interviews. Her Dad made her work just as hard as anyone else and she has proved it without family business banter. Let’s not forget Shane as well!

Sure, if you are looking for success in a family business, it does help if something can be passed along. They can teach you the “ropes” and train since they’ve been there before. Will they disown you if stepping away is your choice? Maybe you’ll care, maybe you won’t. It is different if you love the job like them and embrace it. I mentioned Paige in the WWE a few weeks ago. She also came from a wrestling family but it was her dream to compete and make it in the business. That she did. Now, Simone Johnson is continuing with becoming a 4th generational wrestler. Am sure this is her choice without pressure from her Dad Dwayne–aka “The Rock.”

Pressure is everywhere and comes at us full speed sometimes like a rocket ship. You can apply this to other areas of your life like belief systems. Being raised a certain way doesn’t mean you need to adhere as a adult. Your families emotions are on them, not you. We do need to deal with fallouts but also have respect on both sides. Change is difficult to accept but necessary in life.

Some of us may even do better without a big family influence. We are self-learners but do still need help from others — albeit a few. That was Warrior’s life in pro wrestling. Many others fell into this category too but I often wondered if they felt isolated for that. Again, there are always pros and cons to every side. Some might’ve got distanced for not coming from a wrestling dynasty or legacy. That attitude only made Warrior want success even more. His younger daughter may follow in her Dad’s “boots” one day with Warrior’s Ultimate Spirit guiding along the way. Warrior believed too much in being an individual to ever pressure his daughter to become a wrestler. That choice is hers to make despite his passing.

We do share what we know but should do so without expectation. Warrior showed his daughters “moves” over the years because it was still part of him. I sang preschool songs and did crafts with my kids for years since it was still part of me. We know our strengths and share them but how one interprets it is their feeling. It is tough as a parent to see a strength in your child you so want them to pursue. Encourage– yes. Force–no. They need to figure out their life with parental guidance and not pressure.

We all just want to be happy and if you’re not, then get out of the business. This statement is partially credited to Andre the Giant and it is so true. Our success might not equate what family banter dictates but we still need to be ourselves fully. The pressure shouldn’t get too much where we feel discouraged. Don’t ever let that happen warriors as there should always be another solution. Family Business Banter may not affect us all but if it does, be true to you while always showing respect. You can succeed and WILL even without a family legacy.

*** P.S. Kerry Von Erich and the Ultimate Warrior came full circle after working together early on in the WCCW and then later in the WWE. I missed that P.S. of a few weeks ago! 💙💙

www.spiritandbelief.com

*** Connect with me here, my website, Twitter, Pinterest, and YouTube. ( Book info too!)

Exuberance of Energy 💪🏻

Energy. This word is everything. It is everywhere and makes up all beings including things. Such a powerful word and yet I ignored it. What I mean is when coming up with my book title a few years ago, I was kinda “forced” to find words. You see, I was part of the ALC or Author Learning Center and back then, it was great education for me. They had a possible timeline or outline of sorts for your book. You HAD to include certain info in order to move forward hypothetically but required for the ALC process. A few items were: possible date of release and of course a working title. No way could I even begin comprehending that!

So many words popped in my head and for those that know, yes there is a subtitle. When I finally came up with some choices, energy was included. After all, this is energy and Warrior’s was all over the place. I wrote it down in order to not forget once the real title naming days came. Again, if you know– the word energy isn’t even in my book title! 😬🤣

How is that possible? I still look back at that time and laugh. I even kept the original paper with all my word choices. Energy is right there staring at me as a reminder. It was left off the book but never left out of me. Vince McMahon has been quoted as saying about the Ultimate Warrior:” This man has energy to spare.” He also talked about his exuberance as I can’t leave out that word from this post. Such another powerful word.

When my kids learn about energy in school, it’s all those literal science definitions with kinetic, chemical, mechanical, and electrical. You can study that if you want but it’s tricky though. I’d like to talk more about the inner energies we all have. Ya know– physical, emotional, mental, and spiritual. Which is most dominant for you warriors? My post The Emotional Mental Connection has been blogged, in my book Spirit and Belief, and even though they are psychic types– energy types apply as well. It’s about gee~~ I dunno~~ me and Warrior (:

Energy is basically the “capacity to do work.” It’s about an object getting and staying in motion. Just like us. Just like Coming Full Circle of last week. You learn all kinds and use all kinds with anything in life. ANYTHING. It takes me energy to write this just like it takes you energy to read it. It’s really about how much though. We include energy with those other “to-do’s” like time, resources, patience, and many others. Your energy inside is what truly matters and not so much the book smarts of learning all the types. Warrior did and STILL does have so much energy. That doesn’t go away when you pass. If you didn’t have too much, perhaps you may not as a spirit. It’s part of your personality and is still with you, even without a body.

Some of you might be wondering how energy works without a body in spirit form. Well, it’s different for everybody but always remember how our feelings matter most. A spirit’s energy can be felt in so many ways and I have mentioned several “main events” with me. What works for some may not resonate with others. Energy can be seen, heard, felt, and even just known. It’s all connected to your beliefs.

How do you use energy the most warriors? It’s so hard giving an equal amount to all of our daily activities. Some days, we are stretched like a rubber band and yet keep going. The truth is you– yes YOU have more energy than actually realized. I know this now more than ever about myself but we all do. It’s how we spend it remember? I for one can’t even imagine the energy required to do so many tasks and in reality we do them. We do them because it’s in our blood. Those professional wrestlers have that exuberance of energy needed to perform but you can have it in many other ways pertinent to your life.

Your energy one day as a spirit will depend greatly on your life energy here. I don’t have all the answers of course but do have the knowledge of energy to know it counts. All of it every single day. Sometimes, we have more energy on one day than another. That’s o.k. and in fact how it truly is.

Warrior never stopped expanding his exuberance of energy but that was how he needed to be. Just use your energy in the way your life needs to be warriors. Also, don’t forget the word ENERGY and how important it is. Without being in my book title, it is forever present in my life and will always continue on even in spirit. 💖🙏🏻💙

P.S. Here’s my entire book title:

“Spirit and Belief~~How the Ultimate Warrior Led Me to Trust Intuition.”

~~ I wanted the word energy after Warrior. ( Warrior’s Energy…)

www.spiritandbelief.com

Coming Full Circle

Warriors~~ have you ever found yourself years later back where you started from? Or, did you return to a place you never thought you’d visit again and yet did? Most may know Warrior’s story of finally coming full circle back to the WWE before his passing but I too have had similar stories. Perhaps you can relate. I didn’t have 18 years pass between returning professionally~~ just 4 but still coming full circle.

Almost 30 years ago, I was a preschool aide and began at one of the schools owned by our director. After a year, she opened a fourth school and I was an aide there. The following year she made me a teacher but then within four years, they closed its doors for good. It was the saddest day of my young life as a teacher since we had to combine with another school. I had returned four years later to the same building where I began. The other twist of fate was the classroom I was given. That room was where I spent countless hours preparing work for the other teachers as an aide and now for the remaining school year, it was my classroom. Coming full circle in a place I never expected to be at again.

I also came full circle with my writing. Never did I imagine writing as a blogger or even publishing a book. It was when thinking of this post that my past with writing came full circle. I remembered writing to a cousin of mine for years where we exchanged all the family and personal details of our lives growing up. These are saved in a special attic box. I also had written many letters to one of my Grandmas. Oh, the stories we’d share back and forth over time. Such great memories as I recalled letter writing not connected to school. (AKA~~ “The Jump Start on Journaling” post.)

Have any of you ever had that feeling of coming full circle in your life? It can be with anything at all. Maybe some of you have even bought your childhood home after parents moved on. That’s full circle indeed. Maybe you were raised a certain way with religion or politics, went your own path for a bit, but now are back with those beliefs. It can even be a past relationship with someone. Perhaps you’ve disconnected but because of life’s circumstances, you are back in each other’s lives(: Have you moved away and now find yourself back in your old hometown? Anything can become your full circle.

Sometimes in life we become all too consumed with our lives and moving ahead that we forget our connectedness. Those synchronicities that bring us back are for a reason. It might be the start of something good for us or maybe it’s just to ponder what a small world it is after all. Just like the Disney song. 🎼🌏

There is that voice that will stop us from looking at our full circle like it was with Warrior. We say never, ever, never will I go back there or do that again. Why? Well, for various reasons we all have and yet the emotion behind it can be similar. We are hurt, angry, distant, and maybe even worse. Also, it could just be for the mere fact of being done with that part of our life and moving on. We do need to do that but this Universe of ours places us where we need to be whether one agrees at the time or not.

Spend some time really contemplating this on your own warriors. Where has your life led you to that full circle of coming back? A circle never ends so look at it like your life in motion. That’s who we are. I know that’s me and despite Warrior’s motion, he thought much about life. It is good going back for just a little while however that is for you. Even grown up children return to their childhood nest! Just don’t ruffle feathers there too long. Another ⭕️ that keeps going.

We come back to our circle because deep down, we never fully leave. Physically, yes. Emotionally, no. This is true whether you believe it or not. I know it is for me and Warrior. For years he was dormant in my life but my feelings would still surface from time to time. I always just wanted him to be happy with whatever was going on in his life. So glad to forever know he was and that returning to his WWE circle made the Ultimate Warrior legacy never end. A circle will do that.

~~ Reflect on your full circles warriors and know they bring you back always without end. 🙏🏻💙

www.spiritandbelief.com~~ Check out my other spiritual blog, book info, a Work With Me page, and more!

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Many Meaningful Masks

We do wear lots of masks throughout our lives warriors as some may have read on this blog before. This post isn’t quite as deep as getting to the real us but does involve several “mask” stories of my OWN that became very meaningful. A few are slightly amusing but then a few are well…., not so much. I do believe I’ve mentioned painting the Ultimate Warrior’s mask on my face was never something I’d do. Dana has had her face marked with her own brand of warrior woman paint but I only dabbled in small symbols on my cheeks. After all, he did that for a brief time so for me that was enough.

When my youngest sister was still quite little, I loved coloring and drawing with her. We had a few chalkboards to use for many creations. Guess what I showed her? Yep, the Ultimate Warrior mask. Why did that pop in my head? I wasn’t sure she’d fully understand my intensity back then so it was just called a “cat mask.” O.K., I know it doesn’t really look like a cat face but she bought it and became my muse of choice. She actually does still remember those times! Glad my silliness was so memorable and unforgettable to her. Just like Warrior was and still is to me.

Another funny memory was painting Easter eggs. Being a teenage girl meant most were done with that tradition but again with having a sibling ten years younger made me still participate. I remember painting an egg purple and then adding his mask in the middle with yellow. Those are Easter colors for real! So very proud of how it turned out. I realize this sounds obsessive as perhaps even true fans out there didn’t do this. We all have weird stuff as teens and I gotta say that was mild compared to other things kids my age were doing. 😬Am sure you have your own crazy times too! This was sweet to me and I’ve shared a lot personally so there warriors– you get another interesting tidbit from my past.

These last few are a little bittersweet. When I heard about Warrior’s HOF induction, the months just seemed to fly by as that Spring came fast. Some will know how warm it was that April here in Ohio which is discussed in my book Spirit and Belief. My daughter was still into chalk drawing like her aunt many years ago. I drew the Ultimate Warrior mask on our driveway in many different colors so happy for his upcoming weekend. They were great as I hadn’t even tried drawing that mask in years. My girl never questioned the validity as it’s just a symbol. Little did she know how much it meant to her Mama. *** PAUSE*** A few days later, Warrior passed. 💔

I still could see those colorful masks in one spot of our driveway out my window. It made me so sad, shocked, and angry. With no rain coming, they were erased by me without a trace remaining. It was too much then even with no tears but now, I’d leave them for different reasons. Even though the chalk was erased from that pavement, I could never erase him from my life no matter how hard I tried almost six years ago.

This time also coincided with my daughter having a Dance Party at her school along with face painting. She had these beautiful butterflies on her cheeks and loved them. A few days after Warrior’s passing and I see my girl’s face painted. Of course this isn’t his mask like the other stories but my emotions still fought it.

My Dad’s big 70th birthday party was the next night and with sleep, her butterflies faded a little. She asked me to paint them back on so she could show off her face to everyone. I obliged but told her Mama would do the best I could and to not get mad. My hands were shaking as I picked up that first brush and chose her color. Why? Come on Kathy– this isn’t his mask, what’s wrong with you? Well, that was how much of my grief got displayed. I just told her I was nervous since that wasn’t something she rarely asked of me. Warrior’s mask- No. Face paint-yes. It still mattered a lot. Never could I even put on the mask from the book “A Life Lived Forever.” I had held it up to my face but the strap broke. I wasn’t meant to wear it…

Warrior created his many painted masks for the Ultimate Warrior character which I never ever wanted to replicate. It wasn’t for me but I guess other meaningful mask stories came to be. To even think I had mask stories surprised me until back from my memory bank they were there again. Just like Warrior.

If any of you have ever painted the U.W. mask on yourself or anyone else, bravo! Your masks are meaningful to you just like mine were to me. Warrior painted different masks and each became a story with ultimate meanings. No chalk could ever be erased from my memory. He was there with or without his mask and still will forever be. 💖🧡💛💚🙏🏻

P.S. We recently finally saw the movie “Fighting with my Family” which depicts the true story of Paige in the WWE. I really needed a chalkboard to slide my nails down since it shows WMXXX and Monday Night RAW of April 7, 2014… 😳 The U.W. wrestling buddy doll is also in this movie so sorry for the spoiler alert!! My husband even liked it. Another chalkboard moment.

www.spiritandbelief.com

A+ for Acting 👏🏻💯

I’ve mentioned many aspects in Warrior’s life that mirror mine such as writing, ( of course!) speaking, and reading so now we have acting. We all are actors everyday really just playing our roles in life where very few get to know the real us. You don’t need to be famous to be a performer. Awards are given to those that excel at the highest level of acting and even teachers give out those A+’s for well deserved work. I never did much acting or performing in school but one story does come to mind.

I was in 8th grade and as part of the new junior high program, 7th and 8th graders could chose a “special” class. I chose Drama. It really wasn’t my thing but the teacher in charge was a favorite of mine. I did rule out other choices but hey– we always need to stretch our comfort zones! My 1st role was as Mrs. Bucket who is Charlie’s Mom in “Willy Wonka and the Chocolate Factory.” That is one of my favorite childhood movies although Johnny Depp’s version isn’t bad. Who doesn’t love the Oompa Loompa’s?

I only had a few lines and forgot one… The boy who was Charlie covered for me in front of the whole school so thanks is given to that young man! Well, that was about it for me although other similar opportunities ensued.

During my junior and senior years of high school choir, we had to dance along with sing. NOT what I signed up for at all! The audience loved our performances and within a few years, they had a show choir. I earned that A+ for acting but the singing of course is more me. One of the Holiday concerts was performing “Hallelujah Chorus.” If you are familiar with this entire song, there are lots of parts– LOTS. We received a standing ovation which was truly heart warming. Another A+. BTW– that was my senior year, another favorite of course in April 1990! 💙

Many years later as a preschool teacher, I loved using puppets to perform for the kids. This too became another one of my favorite activities and little ones love puppet antics. Some of the more introverted ones talk to a puppet more than anyone else. I loved the idea of hiding behind a wall or mat as kids didn’t even notice a missing teacher. Such great fun and that A+ for acting came very easy to me. Sure, kids are entertained but puppet performing necessarily isn’t for everyone.

This takes me to you warriors. Have you ever earned an A+ for acting? I gotta say– those WWE performers definitely deserve high letters for all the acting they do. It can be anyone you watch whether on T.V., the movies, the stage, or entertainment of various kinds. Can you give any performer of your choice an A+ for their acting? I bet you can if they are convincing enough and affect you. You know my choice of always is the Ultimate Warrior. Sometimes, it can even be you that convinces someone else.

Once the performance or event is over, the paint peels off, the gear put away, or the mask taken down, have they or you earned that A+ for acting? Guess that depends on the feelings. Remember, it’s always about those emotions we all tend to ignore or hide behind.

Just make sure your A+ is given for the right reasons. This means you CARE or you wouldn’t be watching, listening, or performing at all. I certainly didn’t deserve an A+ for my Mrs. Bucket performance but my heart earned it for trying. I always wished teachers gave those A+’s for effort in school but just like with some performers, we don’t know what goes on behind the scenes. Warrior would earn those A+’s from me for all the effort he put into his character. Naysayers– yes. Effort– always. Some will never know the effort behind those A+’s but you will deep down.

Maybe we don’t need those marks in order to fully be us. You can decide that for yourself. Just do the best or go with your interests and you’ll have some performances in life beyond your imagination. Some good and some bad but that’s how we need it to be. Look back on all your experiences and then make some new ones. Perhaps you’ll get that A+ but if not, remember we are all actors performing on this life stage everyday… 👍🎬🎟

www.spiritandbelief.com

Persistence is the Key 🔐

Persistence is quite the word, isn’t it warriors? Perseverance is another similar term and I ask the gods up above for that everyday (: This is the key to making me stay true to who and what I am. I’m gonna share two guys that became pretty persistent over time. Yes, they both involve Warrior but not in the way you might be thinking…

Steve Wilton (Warrior’s former manager) elaborates more about Warrior’s disassociation with Vince McMahon and WWE in the book “A Life Lived Forever.” This also connects to my brother and me. Of course I will explain without getting into too much detail about a certain other DVD (which I said I’d never mention) but Warrior’s hurt and sadness about the company remained. He never wanted to go back or hear news about WWE ever again. It was never his intention or desire to associate with Vince and company anymore. Period. Well, Steve had a way of being persistent when it mattered most.

He’d wear a shirt Warrior would notice, swear at, and laugh. One time Steve actually convinced Warrior to watch a steel cage match involving Vince and Triple H as a tag team. Warrior was intrigued and gave many compliments in Mr. McMahon’s favor. It seemed better to talk WWE again until Triple H (Paul) made his move to get the Ultimate Warrior in the Hall of Fame.

For years, I had also disassociated with Vince and WWE. I stopped watching after Warrior left and never really watched again. That was it for me and I didn’t care. If fact, I was gleefully giggling when I heard Vince had finally got “caught” in a way with some unmentionable issues and lost millions on the XFL deal back then. Good, I thought. It’s about time…

Enter my brother who is still that fan today for trying to remind me many years ago all about Mr. McMahon’s good qualities and his brand of genius. I didn’t care at all. If he shared a performer of our era getting inducted, I’d take notice. Other than that, nope not interested. He’d even try so hard to get my funny bone going again with Facebook posts but I wouldn’t budge. For Warrior~~ yes. 👍For anyone else~~ no. 👎🏻

Two guys trying really hard to get each of us~~ Warrior and me to like WWE again. What a parallel universe indeed. If anyone has read my blog over time, you know I still don’t watch but I do know enough. If fact, my sister has been friends for a long time with one of the guys who is now part of the current RAW tag team Champs~ The Viking Raiders!! I can say I knew him back then… 😉 Also, I have mentioned Vince before and now I understand so much more without such negativity. Once again though, emotions come to the surface and can remain for years. It was like that for Warrior and myself. We felt the same disappointment, anger, sadness, and all in betweens until persistence kept knocking at our beat up doors.

Here’s a metaphor for you to consider. Imagine an old attic style trunk all locked up accumulating cobwebs. You know it’s there but what’s inside doesn’t interest you like it once did. You’ll always have its contents but isn’t part of your life anymore. Then, something changes. You push those cobwebs off, get the key and unlock it again. What’s inside? That’s your stuff and memories. Can you relate warriors? That was me and my memories of WWE, Vince, and of course Warrior. I can still put those old memories back in but now that trunk is sparkly clean and being cleared out for new ones. The old mixing with the new. All one in the same and never forgotten.

You can have persistence with anything in your life that truly matters. Relationships with others, your career, a personal fitness goal, financial success, or any topic of interest. Try to unlock whatever is blocking you to better things. Sometimes, we need to back off but your persistence just might make someone else try for theirs. If I hadn’t been persistent, this blog and my book Spirit and Belief wouldn’t have become a reality. If Steve hadn’t been persistent, perhaps Warrior wouldn’t have shown interest in WWE again or agreed to talks with Triple H. Even if my brother hadn’t been persistent with me, I might’ve never known some important details that matter so much to me now. I wasn’t all over some social media of wrestling then.

So, warriors find your own attic trunk and become persistent to preserving what’s inside. It just may be the key you need to making your dreams come true.

P.S. Talk about persistence with NUMBERS!!

( ok WWE Trivia buffs…)

2020= 30 years since WMVI( this year!!)

2020= 6 years since Warrior’s passing( this year) AND his last WM was XXX.

*** Those numbers keep coming!

www.spiritandbelief.com

Morning warriors or Night owls ☀️🦉

Do you remember my city/country post of a few months ago warriors? Well, today’s story is kinda like that one only with times of day instead of places to live. Which do you prefer– the morning warrior or night owl? I’m actually neither since most of my energy is spent in the afternoon. If I had to choose, it would be the morning. I was never a night owl. Guess who was though? You know who I’m talking about– Warrior.

I have referenced this a little before with being a WWE performer and superstar. Sleep would be hard to come by what with all the adrenaline. I know I’d be the same way if I did what they did and do! Downtime is required in order for me to prepare for dreamland… If I don’t get comfy before bed with my routine, falling asleep becomes quite the challenge. Warrior confesses on The Ultimate Collection DVD to surviving on 3 hours of sleep and calling it “neat.” Um, NO– not for me! This post is one of the fews where we are not in agreement upon. Once your body gets used to a routine or practice, it does become hard to change even out of a profession. I’d barely make it for Saturday Night’s Main Event sometimes and I was younger then!

When I was a young child, napping just wasn’t for me. I was good and stayed quiet but not many times of actual sleeping. Kiddos need that rest but it wasn’t happening for me. Now, it’s a little easier with a busier lifestyle and some cold wintery weekends. I was told that I have more energy than ever realized. 😬 That does explain why my brain and body need to work together to achieve rest. Like I always say, we need the balance and that is true with activity and sleep too. 😴

My workout is the afternoon as my husband’s is in the morning. I have done some fitness in the evening but gotta tell ya– it doesn’t work for me. If it’s getting close to 8 p.m., I am way too wired and already know sleep will be difficult that night.

There are some who workout at midnight or so like Triple HHH and Stephanie McMahon. Often, that’s the time that works with hectic busy families. If I had to do that, I would but sleep would have to factor in as well. Sure, sometimes I have a few sleepless nights but it isn’t a constant. I do know that my workout and fitness are a priority so it would get done in some way. Maybe just yoga. Maybe just cardio but probably not all if my schedule was different. I’d rather start at 5:00 A.M. and crash earlier at night instead of trying to find the energy at midnight!

How does this work for you warriors? It doesn’t have to apply to fitness but anything else. I also will never be one of those late night shoppers either. Ya know, the Wal-Mart types. If you are, that’s fine but it isn’t me. Guess I’m not the all-nighter kind of gal. I wanted to watch T.V. and school wasn’t like that for me anyways.

Many activities I prefer doing in the morning versus night like errands or chores. We all do what works for us and some can’t switch their schedule around. I like relaxing more in the evening or doing family stuff minus homework. 😳Our schedules can be so opposite of others but we shouldn’t judge since everyone is different. I love the idea of starting the day with a workout since your energy will get peaked. At the end of a day, my tiredness creeps in and it’s more difficult. If you have some motivation, even better.

Being up all night can have advantages too since most could be sleeping or some even work night shifts. You’d have no distractions at home or very little but will have to be quiet. You can get your own space like Warrior had which worked well out in his barn gym. When we are alone, we can mentally prepare better for whatever tasks lay ahead of us. Knowing myself, I’d probably fall asleep at 7 p.m. being up all night…

So, morning warriors or night owls? Whichever is your thing, just make it work in your life. Do the work of your life as Warrior said. Make your time count because it truly does. 👏🏻😉😊

WORK+REST=BALANCE Always!!

P.S. Last month on Friday, Dec. 13th, we had an owl in our backyard tree! It was so cool seeing this “night owl”! ~~ It was also a full moon!! 🌑

***P.P.S. The card deck above I have mentioned before. It’s the Mystical Shaman Oracle by Colette Baron-Reid. ***