Missing in Action - Getting Out Of Dodge

I've been gone for the past 11 days. Oh, part of the reason was because I allowed myself to get sleep deprived, and we had a crazy weekend filled with graduation and birthday parties and baby showers. Then the storms took out our ISP's tower and we lost service for the past week. There were more parties, etc this weekend,... Yada, yada, yada. But I admit the break was a relief. I was touching a raw nerve in myself. My own blabbering was cutting too close to the quick. I needed some space from this journey, and I am just realizing that I created it all quite purposefully even though, up until this moment, I totally "B.S.-ed" myself into thinking outside forces were opeating to foil my blog. Nope. It was me all along. This journey of trying to discover who I am has exposed some painful memories and realizations about the choices I have made in the past. Ouch! So I did what every good person in denial does under such circumstances - I left! Best selling author Geneen Roth says, "never underestimate the inclination to bolt." I was operating like lightning during our recent summer storms - Hot, frenetic, and unpredictable. I needed some space and time to collect my thoughts and some courage. But I'm back now. So, Dear Readers, take a minute and try to remember a time when you bolted. Were you getting away from a relationship, a conflict, a family, a community, a church or an issue you weren't ready to face? I've done all of these. Maybe you've never avoided something that made you feel uncomfortable. And I'm not saying that bolting is necessarily a bad thing. It's a defense that can protect you. And it's really helpful to realize when we do it. So, I'll be staying a while for now and writing a lot. As usual, I have a LOT to say. Hope your Monday is awesome! Lauren