PIPPY LANE

Sometimes you have to let go of the picture of what you thought life would be like and learn to find joy in the story you are living. Sounds easy enough right? For me, this is one of the hardest things to do. I am the type of person that once I get my mind set on something I do everything I can to make that happen and if it doesn’t happen the way I have imagined it should or not at all, I get frustrated and find myself having a bad attitude and being irritated about the way things are going. For me, it is definitely a faith issue. You would think that as blessed as I am, I would be at peace and know that God provides for me and knows my needs way better than I do. But I fail at this. I have anxiety and depression that takes over and I begin to question things that I have no control over. What good does this do? It is exhausting and I am having to learn and understand that things happen for a reason and most of the time when I look back throughout my life, I am thankful that situations played out the way they did and not always the way that I thought they should be.

For me it is a faith thing. For others it may not be. No matter where you stand with faith, I feel that in this crazy life of ups and downs, joys and disappointments and relationships and love, if you are not able to find the joy in your story, it is time for change. It is time to dig deep into who you are. Can you change your story to find joy? Can you put on a new set of glasses to see things differently? Can you stop being a spoiled brat and appreciate what you do have? I feel like I can say that because I often tell myself and my family that not to act like a brat. LOL. I don’t mean it in a hurtful way, but those words “spoiled brat” does get my attention. If your in a store and there is a child throwing a big temper tantrum because he wants a toy that he has been told he can’t have, should he be able to have that toy just because he threw a fit? Part of finding joy in the life you are living and your story is to sometimes weather the storm and ride the wave of appreciation. You may not get promoted in your job like you expected but you still have a job and it’s secure. You may not have your dream car or house but your car gets you to your “secure” job every day and where ever else you need to go and your house may not be the best house on the block but it’s warm and safe and you have a place to lay your head every night and call it home. This is how you find the joy in your story. It’s the silver lining.

I feel that God carries me even when I am kicking and screaming to do things my way. And yet he never drops me on my butt. I am learning to happily walk through my life as if it could be my last day on earth. Some days are better than others. Each night before I go to sleep I think about all the joys in my life. I won’t lie, my tendency is to lay there wide awake worrying about all the things wrong in my life and this world as things have gotten a bit scary with this Covid Pandemic happening. But I am choosing big and little things to be thankful for and to see as joy. My joys for today are family, friends, my dogs, my house were moving into, my favorite ice cream flavor, the smell of coffee (because I can’t drink it) and for the smell of rain. It is all perspective.

I understand that people have different situations and life is harder for some more than others. If you truly feel like you can’t find any joy and are severely depressed, I don’t want to make you feel worse because you aren’t feeling the joy in your life. I have been there. If you need to reach out to get help please do so. Don’t be your own prisoner. Depression and anxiety is real and I want you free of what ever pain you are feeling. reach out to someone you can trust if you have thoughts of hurting yourself or if you feel like life is too much. You are worthy and deserve to be happy.

Times are so hard for so many people right now with our economy being struck from the pandemic and from the hopelessness that society may be feeling and the fear that is instilled in us from false media. Do your own research, Don’t believe everything you see on t.v. or read on the internet. Also, remember hoarding is rude. We need to get through this time together. Take supplies that you need and leave some for the next person. If we all take a reasonable amount of supplies and food, we all will have what we need. I hope you all choose love and kindness and help others when you are able. Even if it’s with kind words of encouragement or opening a door for someone. Life is short and you can make a difference even when you do not realize it. It can take a moment to change someone or a scenario for a lifetime. I hope you all feel encouraged by this post. Please feel free to share you story or joys of your journey of life. I love to hear from you all. I am pretty boring so let’s hear from you all. Everyone, please stay happy, healthy and safe. May your cup overflow and be blessed!

Hello friends! I would first like to say I am sorry. I disappeared for a little while and am now getting back to writing again. I will be totally honest with you all. I have been struggling with myself, my life, my goals and finding the joy that is so obviously in front of me. I have a million things going right and sometimes I don’t know how to focus on the things going right. Instead I focus on the things that aren’t going right. It’s a mind game that I have got to stop playing. It is exhausting and it only makes me have set backs in my goals and dreams. One of which is to have a successful blog and be faithful to my writing and chatting with you all that are kind enough to read my blog. So here I am putting my big girl panties on and it’s time for chins up buttercups. LOL! I just love that saying. In all seriousness, I tend to shut down and disappear when I am depressed or struggling with life and I have to get better at handling it and not just disappear. I didn’t even realize how long I had been gone from my blog. How embarrassing.

So how is everyone doing with the stay at home orders that are in place? I am seriously worried for people. People need people. I worry about depression and suicide among those that are feeling confined and alone. I worry about children being in a safe environment at home and abused women and in some cases men, who are having to endure extra time with their abusers. I worry that people will ignore their health since it is almost impossible to see a doctor. All these things and more weigh heavy on my heart. On a lighter note, I really miss going to our favorite Mexican restaurant. LOL. It seems ridiculous to even include that but we have been going to the same Mexican restaurant since my kids were about 10 years old, who are now adults of 25 and 22 years old. It is our home away from home. I also miss my friends and family. I want everyone safe and healthy. Praying for everyone to stay healthy and hope to be able to give hugs again soon.

The bright side of having to stay home during this pandemic, is that it has given me a new perspective on the importance of slowing down and taking time for yourself and loved ones. The projects that have gone undone for who knows how long, finally got completed. The meals that families have prepared together because everyone is home to help. Then getting to eat at the table together and talk about the world or what your feeling or thinking. Not having to eat your entire meal in 10 minutes so you can get to the game on time or get one more thing done in order to feel accomplished for the day. There is a sense of relief to have to slow down and bask in the sunshine of life at home. It’s easy to get caught up in the go go go of the world. It has been very eye opening for me to realize how we let being busy control our relationships, our time, our progress on projects, our progress on ourselves, etc…

What are things that you are doing to stay busy during this time? I see so many more people out walking. Everyone seems to be a little more friendly than they used to. People are walking their dogs too? I don’t about you all, but my dogs are so spoiled by always having someone home with them now. They are going to be a hot mess when everyone goes back to work. LOL! People are sidewalk chalking. This is so fun to see. When your on a walk and you see cute little kid drawings and in some cases some amazing art done by adults as well. What a great family activity. Everyone can take part in decorating the sidewalk in front of their house or their driveway. So cool! I have personally kept busy with doing paint by numbers for adults and also doing diamond painting. It’s so fun. If you don’t know what diamond painting is, you can look it up on YouTube. Us artsy people get so excited about this kind of stuff. Ha! Also, trying new recipes, cleaning out closets and working out at home are some other things that my friends are doing to stay busy. Please feel free to share any ideas that would help us not be bored during this time.

I also want to reach out and let anyone know who is struggling with depression or if your in a bad situation during this time to reach out to someone, me, anyone. You don’t have to bare it all alone. I am hear if you need to talk or cry or run ideas by. Don’t wallow in sadness. Take everything one minute at a time if you have to. I promise, there is a new day and a new beginning starting tomorrow.

Please remember to check on your family and loved ones. Check on the elderly to make sure they have essentials. Check on your neighbors. Check on the single moms who aren’t suppose to take their kids into stores. Check on your pastors and church family. Drop food off to someone in need. In order to get through this we have to think of each other and not just ourselves. Selfish ways will be the demise of an individual. Don’t hoard food an cleaning supplies. Take what you need and will use. We will get through this together and be stronger for it. God bless you all. I appreciate you more than you can imagine. Don’t forget to comment. I am looking forward to hearing from you all and I promise to be more present as well. Stay happy, safe and healthy. Be encouraging and kind always.