The Lane I’m in

I have a new schedule…and I rather like it. What became out of necessity, is turning out to be a whole lot better than I ever dreamed.

This past year I have dwelt a lot on the negative…but I haven’t spent much time on the positive. As a result, I’m sure that there have been a few of you who have just kind of thrown the towel in…and I can’t blame you.

I once followed a couple of blogs where people were going through an extreme personal struggle. I respected where they were in their life and the process that they were taking. What they were doing was real and raw and painful…and if there was anyone going through those huge emotional struggles, I’m sure that raw emotion was understood and appreciated. I personally, was turned off of it…because it was NOT what I needed at that time in my life.

I think so many times, so many of us can be negative about what other trials someone is going through. We can call them “whiny” or “dramatic” because we personally are not where they are at that moment. I personally am trying to give a bit more grace as I grow older to people…and hope that you will give me some as well.

As many of us have made changes in our lives…most of us have done so because it is something that we have been forced to do. Most of us are stubborn…and we don’t like change..and by most of us…I’m totally raising my hands. I know I needed to eat better and exercise and drink more water…but it wasn’t until my blood tests came back and a doctor telling me I’m gonna be on meds for my cholesterol if I don’t get it under control…which forced me to drink the water…and started my addiction for avocados. Still trying to get on the yoga and elliptical bus…slowly but surely.

When we had an employee who was not doing what they needed to do…and I had to step in and do payroll and schedules and pay bills..I will tell you…it was not with leaps of joy…but now…now it’s not so bad..and I enjoy it. I enjoy starting very early at our store and still being able to head home in late morning and come home to do homeschooling with my daughter.

I said no to lots of things this year…and in turn was able to say yes to lots more!

Sometimes we need a few months of recovery to recharge…and then the ideas just start flowing.

Instead of elaborate trips last summer we tried our hand at camping. We tried a new swim team, we tried learning how to ride horses and really succeeding this year. More sleepovers with friends for my girl. More camp fires and marshmallows. More children’s camps closer to home. More library field trips, more homemade ice cream movie nights. More online art classes…more repurposing everything…less out to eat…more experimenting with things at home we liked…and we realized…we didn’t really miss out on a thing.

We have some fun things packed into this year…new experiences….new camping adventures…new out of comfort zones. Gonna cross a bunch of things off my bucket lists…but in that process…I’m not going to forget the changes made..and I’m not going to be sad about them.

When you see a friend who writes things on her social media that irritate you, or you think are negative…instead of saying to her how negative she is…why don’t we just accept them where they are? Not all of us like to say what specifically is going on in our lives….we just don’t. Instead, if need be…just take a moment…and instead of telling them how they need to change…say a prayer for them…send them a note..take them a meal, a coffee….a plant.

Social media can be toxic…and it can be awesome. Everyone thinks it’s this real part of life…but it isn’t. The pictures I take of my house and life and put on here on social media is the best of the best…it’s not the everyday. It’s not what the house looks like when I’ve returned home from work or had people over for a football game…I don’t show you my dirty laundry…or unmade bed. I don’t show you my pjs in the bathroom…or the fact that I have a crockpot in the sink with burnt smokies in it…it just doesn’t.

However, when people share things that you might think are harsh or they should approach differently…don’t assume you know the whole story.

So many times we assume we know all…and we pass down our judgement on people because in all our wisdom. We know best..when we don’t know the whole story…nor do we understand.

So, yes. I will try to be more positive…as we go though things…but life isn’t easy…and my shoulders are only so big…and burdens are easier to carry when you share them.

Have a blessed day…and no matter what lane of life your in right now…let’s all just help get each other home…this life isn’t easy…and I know I sure do need help.

Here’s to new adventures…..and happier days!