This whole adulting thing has got me pretty bummed out lately. It’s so hard! And according to my social media newsfeeds, I’m not alone in this sentiment! We’re all struggling in our own ways!
We’ve got bills to pay, unexpected illnesses, chronic illnesses, cars to keep running, children to take care of, college expenses to stress over, jobs to perform well at, schedules to keep, pets needing vets, allergies to avoid, laundry and dishes to wash, politics to sort out and try to make sense of, fears to overcome, conflicts to resolve, anxiety and depression to conquer, thieves to avoid, identities to protect, reputations to uphold, relationships to preserve, banana trees to trim, service to give, taxes to pay, emotions to process … oh, my, does the list go on!
It can certainly be easy to drown in the madness and become overwhelmed and overcome by it all. Ever since I moved here from Indiana, it feels like it’s been one knee-buckling trial after another. Sometimes I can’t breathe. But, I believe we are meant to feel joy in this life. We have to be diligent in so many ways to thrive in this world that is constantly changing. We have to make deliberate decisions and be so careful to protect our overall wellbeing. There are some great reminders and tutorials in this month’s edition that are helping me to wrap my head around the stress and how to get above it. I want to point out a few.
Nir Bashan teaches in Creator Mindset that we shouldn’t take everything that happens in our lives so personally. He explains, “The tree limb that fell onto your car? It just happened – it didn’t happen to you. The business deal you lost? It just happened. It didn’t happen specifically to you. There is nothing personal about it. It just is.” That was an excellent reminder for me. Some things just are and I need to let them be, learn from it, and move on.
Tired all the time? Natalia Foote addresses four ways to rest and recover in her column, Work Well. I was thrilled to see science on my side regarding taking naps! Napping is my favorite. It’s my “Did you try turning it off and back on again?” remedy. And I loved the advice at the end of her article about showing gratitude when you notice you’re actually not tired. I never have that luxury, but the concept is true for anything … there is opposition in all things, and if we learn to be grateful for the absence of the pain and suffering when it’s there, we’ll find more happiness. The pain is going to return in some way or another, so be grateful when you notice its absence.
In this month’s Tough Things to Talk About, Kyle Hamm effectively called me to repentance by preaching about time management. He has some good advice for readers about ways to keep our goals prioritized and staying on track.
Need some comfort food or a good laugh? Check out Katie’s Cucina, Kyle’s Culinary Column and Sunny Side Up. I also got a big giggle from our Dog of the Month that I chose! I’m a firm believer that being silly is very therapeutic.
I unexpectedly found wisdom in this month’s NonaVentures. Reading about Nicole LaBosco’s journey to experience peace, something as fragile and elusive as a moonbeam sometimes, inspired me to be more deliberate about planning opportunities to have similar peaceful experiences. Maybe flying 2,000 feet above the Earth is not the route I will take, but my resolve was rekindled when I read her line of realization, “I realized that’s what the purpose of NonaVentures actually is – to discover (or rediscover) those first experiences and make those moments last a lifetime.” I want to find peace that I can rely on for a lifetime. It’s within my reach. I just need to make the effort.
Finally, Rodney Gage’s advice on dealing with conflict … ugh, conflict resolution has always been a weakness of mine! My fight-or-flight response is fierce. I will fight so hard for what I feel is right, but if I sense for even a moment that the fight is futile, my instinct to run away is nearly irresistible. There is no middle ground for me, and that’s exhausting. Our resident family coach teaches how to H.A.N.D.L.E. conflict before it gets a handle on you. Read this month’s Family Shift to learn more.
I wholeheartedly believe that we, each and every one of us, were sent to this Earth to succeed. A man I deeply admire, Jeffrey R. Holland, once said, “We are infinitely more than our limitations or our afflictions.” I want to remember this – my failures and discouragement do not define me; I am so much more. So what if my knees are battered from repeatedly falling? It’s time to get up, dust them off, and apply what I’ve learned in my reading this month.
You are infinitely more than your limitations and afflictions. I know it’s hard. Get up. Let’s go. We’ve got this.
