Open to Joy

I’m still recovering from the emotional whirlwind that has been the past month. But out of hard things come good things too.

I’m so grateful to have my peace of mind back. I know I won’t always have peace of mind. Hard things will come and go in life, so I will just be thankful for this little slice of peace no matter how long I get to hold onto it.

I’m also reminded that certain things matter less in the end. I’m letting go of negativity that doesn’t help me grow and get better in ways that are personally meaningful to me. And I’m learning to value more deeply the “small things” that aren’t so small after all.

Hugs, notes of encouragement, people who go out of their way to bring me a coffee or send me a kind text. Many of these people are working in schools, and I think that’s beautiful. We must protect them at all cost.

I learned this past week that a friend who I previously worked with passed away suddenly. At work, she was the kind of person was a little grumpy and scary but meant well. I wasn’t sure if she even liked me and then when she retired, I heard from her every day on Instagram. She simply liked all of my stories or laughed at them. Every day, without fail. Something about this made me feel seen and like what I had to offer mattered to even just one person. Such a small but beautiful gesture.

She didn’t reach out on Thursday. I learned on Friday that she had passed. I will miss all of her reactions to my stories. Her mutual love of animals and the way she laughed so easily.

I didn’t know that the last message I received from her at 5:55 PM on Wednesday would be the last.

Life is so precious and fleeting. We never know what is coming or when it’s coming. All we have for sure is right now. Let’s not waste it worrying about things we can’t control, including the opinions of others.

Instead, let’s live is bravely with a ridiculous amount of love, care, and genuine enthusiasm for people and our areas of passion and interest.

I was oceanside with my mom over the weekend. I didn’t want or need to be anywhere else. Just the wind, the waves, and the woman who brought me into this world.

More of this energy. Now and forever.

Sending you peace and courage needed to be fully where your feet are planted. Feel it all, even when it hurts because this is how we keep our hearts open to JOY.

And joy is worth fight for.