I'm inviting Mara to tea.

In a conversation discussing facing your own demons, Robby told me...

"In buddhism, they'd say I'm inviting Mara to tea -- have your demons sit beside you while you enjoy your tea. Pour them a glass. But deal with them as they come, and do it on your own terms."

So I'm having a bit of a tea party here. Meet my Zombie guests Around my small table we have Chuck, Rex, Obi, Baroness, and Di. I don't normally have zombies over for tea. I mean what would you server them really? Do zombies drink tea? Are they so fixated on brains that they would notice if it was hot or cold? I am rather fond of my brain. So along with the tea, I am serving a heaping portion of Corn Dogs. If all else fails and I end up running my tail off, I know I can throw them behind me to give myself a little extra time.

So folks at the tea table. You lot scare the crap out of me. So many of my health goals and struggles and fears revolve around you five.

Chuck, Rex... I am so afraid of running into you two. I know many people have. I know you can be fatal for anyone who hangs around in your presence too long. I have a natural aversion to both of your natures, but... Sometimes I am afraid that I will be so desperately trying to get away from Obi that I will run into you. Will I feel like you are the lesser of many evils?

Obi, man I have been dealing with you for ever. When will you ever get off my back. Any and every time I turn around there you are! Even times when I have felt like I am doing alright, and the way might be clear of zombies... BOOM Suddenly, you're there. And then I realize, or at least I feel like I do, that you have been there all the time. I just didn't notice you for a little while. I got used to your presence. But dude... your a zombie. Go Away.

Baroness, you scare the hell out of me. You weren't there from the beginning, but you've begun to tail me the last few years. You're good friends with Obi. Don't think I don't know this. I'm running from you almost as fast as from Obi. I keep running into dead ends... or worse, into fast food restaurants. Obi is your shield though. I can't get rid of you until I get rid of him. Then at least I know for certain why you are hanging around.

Di... you are scary too. In a tea party of scary monsters though... you aren't tooooo bad. You're still a zombie. I still don't want you around. But I might need you for a little while. You're a tricksy one though. See, you're not long gone, and you look mostly human still. You might even still have control of your speech, so you seem encouraging. But your selfish and self serving, and really you don't care about me. You just want to use me like I want to use you. No, this isn't the way I wanted to go about it... but I just might... for a little while.

Alright zombies... there you have it. Now tuck into to this tea and corn dogs while I run like hell before you figure out this is Tetly and not brains served hot with sugar and milk.