Chapter 10
Flaunting my Breaks

In the summer of 1984, I was hired as a temporary month-to-month secretary at a local community college by Jenny, a tall, gracious, and very efficient educational support specialist. Since it was a humid summer and our building had no air conditioning, all the windows were left open and fans blew everywhere. Sometimes papers flew all over the place, but we lived with it since closing the windows wasn't a viable option. We were also allowed to wear shorts. My bare legs often glued themselves to my chair until I remembered to bring a towel from home.

Jenny told me later that she had hired me because I reminded her of her younger, free spirited days. Though I was well organized and able to handle any and all work assignments, I had a carefree attitude. After all, how serious did I have to be in a temporary month-to-month position? I had been there all of three days when Jenny called me into her office. She told me that my behavior was upsetting Margaret, the department head, and that she had been told to speak to me.

"What's the matter?" I asked in surprise.

"You've been 'flaunting your breaks,'" Jenny said solemnly.

"Flaunting my breaks?" What does that mean?"

"You've been seen sitting in the sun on the back porch, reading a book, eating, and drinking on your break," Jenny responded.

I looked at Jenny with amused astonishment. I was ready to laugh with her, but she remained poker faced. We stood in awkward silence for several seconds before I finally blurted out,

"That's a problem? I have the kind of metabolism in which I need to eat often or my energy level drops. Food's a necessity. Besides, it's important for me to take a break."

"It's OK to eat, just don't do it so visibly. Don't sit on the back porch where Margaret and the others can see you," Jenny replied.

"But where can I eat? I have to get away from my desk, and there's no lunch room here," I answered in frustration.

"It's OK to come into my office and eat there. Hopefully, Margaret won't walk in while you're on break," said my accommodating supervisor.

I wondered how that would work since Jenny and Margaret's offices were right next door to each other. I decided I had better firmly pray for assistance. I said,

"Dear God, please have your angels guard the door and keep Margaret and the others away while I'm snacking in Jenny's office. Make sure I am safe. I appreciate Your help on this!"

I then surrendered the situation and trusted that all would be well. I am happy to say that Spirit honored my prayer. From then on, I took my cheese, crackers, and orange juice and stuffed them into a large manila envelope. After that, I jauntily walked down the hall past Margaret's door to Jenny's office where I ate, drank, relaxed, and chatted briefly with Jenny. Then I joyfully returned to my desk.

Though I was one of the few who took a morning break, I chose not to feel guilty about it. Though some of my envious co-workers probably thought that they could accomplish more without a break, I knew better. In the past, whenever I was tired, stressed out, or hungry and did not take a break, I made many needless mistakes that cost precious time and money. Yet, when I took a daily "mini vacation," I was able to stay more focused, happy, and productive on the job.

I encourage all people with "In" trays filled to overflowing, oppressive deadlines, tension headaches, vacant eyes, and roaring stomachs to bravely walk away from your desks with your head held high and gloriously "Flaunt your Breaks!" Then take ten to fifteen minutes to eat an apple, drink some juice, read an amusing book, or imagine yourself lying contentedly on a tropical beach. If you're with friends, dare to say something great about a co-worker and celebrate yourselves! Perhaps then we'll start a worldwide epidemic of "Flaunting Our Breaks!" and create a healthier, happier, and more prosperous world.

Chapter 24
Listening Carefully

Once I happily moved into a beautiful, private one-bedroom unit located in a large house in the Hawaii Kai area of Honolulu. There were other renters in other sections of the house, but I rarely saw them except for when I left for work. Soon after my move, I had a talk with my intuitive friend, Jason, who told me that something wasn't right with the energy of the house where I lived. I was puzzled by this, but did not give it another thought. Unusual energy or not, I had just signed a six-month lease. As the days passed, I got busier at work and forgot about Jason's comment.

A week later, my bed and bedroom became infested with large red ants. Though I carefully placed ant bait traps outdoors and throughout my apartment, the ants kept pouring in. Some nights the onslaught was so bad, I slept in the living room. I finally had a talk with Spirit and said, "I'm not happy with this bug situation. Please do something about it or I'm going to move out." Then I gave thanks for the Almighty's help, sprayed the room, and prayed for the best. Shortly after, my landlord sent over a friend who took care of the ant problem. My life then returned to a normal, peaceful state, but that didn't last for long.

Within six weeks, my life took such a bizarre twist that I thought I had entered Rod Serling's "Twilight Zone." Around 6:00 p.m. on December 26th, I received a strange call from my Dutch friend, Elmy. She had been left in charge of picking up my mail and checking on my place every few days while I was visiting my family in California for Christmas. Elmy wanted to know what I had done with my car.

"My car? Isn't it there in the driveway?" I replied with trepidation.

"No," she said uneasily, "and your brand new stereo system and your dual cassette recorder are missing, too." My brain turned to mud. Suddenly nothing made sense. I asked Elmy to call my landlord and the police. Then I called my sister-in-law, Couquette, who had borrowed my car in early December while visiting friends on Oahu. Coke told me she had left my car in my driveway on December 19th. Apparently, it remained there until the afternoon of December 26th when it mysteriously vanished.

In a later telephone conversation, Elmy said, "Carol, does your sister-in-law smoke? Did she stay in your place while she was in Hawaii?"

I innocently answered, "No, Couquette doesn't smoke, and she stayed with her friends. Why are you asking?"

Elmy cautiously explained, "If Coke didn't stay there, then who did? I noticed several times when I brought in your mail that your bed was messy ? like someone had slept in it. It also looked like certain objects had been moved around. I wondered if it was my imagination. I started to place a few things in certain positions, and the next time I dropped by, I'd check to see if they'd been moved. And they had! Then right before your car disappeared, I saw a crystal bowl filled with "Kool" cigarette butts under your bed. That was really strange, since I know you don't smoke. I just assumed your sister-in-law was a smoker, and she was staying there. That's why I didn't call and tell you about it. By the way, the police said there was no forced entry, but they did find that the sliding glass door had a broken lock. They showed me how the door seemed to lock with the key, but it really didn't because when I pulled on the handle, the door easily slid open."

I gripped the phone, totally speechless. My mind was racing in hundreds of directions, desperately trying to make sense of all of this. When I could put words together, I said in an anguished voice, "What the heck is going on there?…My car, my stereo, someone living there…This is crazy!…I'm going to have to talk to Coke. Maybe she can help me make sense of this. Thanks for telling me, Elmy. I'll call you later."

After I hung up, I immediately called my sister-in-law to see if she had any insights, but she had none. Afterwards, I sat alone in my bedroom and prayed feverishly to God, Jesus, and my angels for help. I asked for the safe return of my car, stereo, and dual cassette player as soon as possible and for understanding. Then I did my best to let go and trust, but that was extremely difficult to do. After tossing and turning all night, I woke up groggily and called the Honolulu Police Department. After reporting my car stolen, I sat back and anxiously waited for news. It arrived two hours later in an odd phone call from my landlord.

My landlord had good news. My car had been returned unscathed and was back in the driveway. My brand new stereo and dual cassette recorder had been returned to my apartment, too. I was then told a bizarre story that made perfect sense when I first heard it. However, six weeks later, the entire story was recanted. Suddenly, no one had any idea who had conveniently used my apartment, nor how my car, stereo, and cassette player came to be stolen and mysteriously returned while I was away. It was just one incredible mystery that may never be solved. My gut feeling to all of this was, "GET ME OUT OF HERE!"

When I returned to Hawaii in early January, a new sliding glass door lock was installed, but I still did not feel safe in my apartment. Too many weird things had happened, and I wasn't satisfied with the inconsistent stories I had been told. It was clear to me that it would be best to break the lease and move to a safer place. Consequently, I gave notice to my landlord and moved out in early February.

Though I felt angry and victimized for months afterwards, I finally got tired of replaying the whole crazy drama in my mind and began to ask myself some important questions: What part was I now playing in this life drama? Answer: an angry victim. What was I getting out of being a victim? Answer: sympathy, self-righteousness, and exhaustion. Was it really worth my time and energy? Answer: No! Would I rather use that time and energy in more joyous, fulfilling ways? Answer: Absolutely! Was I ready to look at the situation from a higher perspective and see it as an important life lesson? Answer: Yes!

Since I believe that man creates his world from his impassioned thoughts, I realized that everyone involved, including myself, had somehow called this strange drama into our lives for a purpose. Inasmuch as we were all participating by choice on some level, then there were no victims or people to blame. When I realized this truth, I knew it was time to take responsibility for my part in the situation and give up my "angry victim" role. It was time to look at the bigger picture and the gifts that this precious life lesson had brought me.

I first noticed that Spirit had attempted to caution me months earlier when Jason told me that the house had a peculiar energy. He sure was right about that! Then, I did not heed my Inner Voice when it suggested that I not leave my car key in plain view on my bedroom shelf. My response was that the key could only unlock the back seat of my car, but it could not start it. Furthermore, nobody was going to be in my place anyway. Wrong on all counts! About the time I left for California, my intuitive friend, Stella, received an inner message that perhaps it was better for me to leave my car at her home. She ignored her guidance, telling it that my car would probably be all right where it was. Whoops! She felt badly afterwards when she heard that my car had been stolen.

I also learned the hard way about listening to inner guidance. I have erroneously believed that I do not get clear messages from Spirit, but the truth is I often hear the messages, and then discount the information I am getting. I need to learn to clearly listen and trust my Inner Voice that often speaks in whispering thoughts. Perhaps if I had paid more attention to Jason's comment about the energy of the house and listened to my Inner Voice about the car key, I would have avoided most of the drama that followed.

Upon further reflection, I am grateful to God for the blessings I received following the theft of my car and belongings. For one thing, my faith grew stronger as I was shown that Spirit had heard my passionate prayer and had found a way to return my car, stereo, and dual cassette player to me within twenty-four hours. I was also able to break the lease and move out due to safety issues. In doing so, I found a more peaceful house with a beautiful view for less rent. Most importantly, I felt safer as if God's loving, protective energy was surrounding my new house, yard, and driveway. I also checked with Jason before I moved in to make sure that the energy of my new home was okay. At the time he said, "Go for it! Spirit is happy you're listening!" I was happy and grateful I was listening, too!

 

Order Now for Only $12.42

To email this article to a friend click here.

Carol J. Denego is an American woman with a passionate spirit, strong will, and a curious, freedom-loving nature. In Carol's spiritual journey to develop her faith and learn more about herself and the world, she has worked various jobs and explored parts of the United States, Europe, the former U.S.S.R., Asia, the Pacific Islands, and Brazil. She received a B.A. degree in Communication Arts from Hawaii Loa College (now Hawaii Pacific University) in Hawaii. She currently resides in Honolulu, Hawaii. If you would like to contact Carol she can be reached at highroad1111@earthlink.net.