My heart and prayers are with everyone in the path of those tornadoes in Oklahoma. So horrible! The updates seem to be making things worse every time I hear it.
My Sunday was not what I had expected it to be due to the nonstop rain. NYC is not a very fun place in the rain! But as always Jessie and I laughed at it all. Our plans changed a bit but that's OK! As we were walking towards The Met in the misty rain and our feet were soaked in our shoes (she had ballet flats and I had sandals), we almost got splashed several times by cars, we used the bathroom at Bergdorf Goodman's and dried our feet on the carpet of a bookstore, then looked at each other and said "This is nuts. We can come in another day!!" so we headed home early. And we were laughing. Only the best for us!! hehe! We pee at Bergdorf's!! :p Since we call each other Lucy and Ethel it did seem a fitting day for us. And honestly, you just have to laugh at it all.
We did try though. We didn't let it rain on our parade completely. And apparently when trying to keep slippery sandals on your feet in the rain and through puddles walking around NYC, you use certain muscles in your legs that are not used much because I am sore. It's great! Getting home and taking a hot bath and having a cozy evening felt ten times better than it normally would have. We were both exhausted!
Life seems to constantly give us challenges. People and circumstances to sort of test our strength and character. How do you respond to it? Do you run to the safety of your comfort zone? Or do you face it head on and use the challenges to grow and evolve? I have gone through some toughies for sure. Clearly deciding to separate and divorce at 6 months pregnant with my family across the country was not exactly the best of circumstances. It just seemed so clear to me what had to be done. And really there is never an ideal time for it. I knew it would be hard for awhile but I am given almost daily confirmation that it was the right choice. That's not exactly a fun thing but at least I've never had any doubts about the decision.
Sometimes I think about the first few weeks/month with my little guy. It's kind of a blur which it tends to be in any circumstance. I had my oldest too. I had a c-section, nobody to help at night and I was nursing. And I had someone making things difficult all the time too. Not what you call an easy time for sure. But I persevered. What do you do in those circumstances? You just keep on, keepin' on! What choice did I have? You just have to get it done. I think of waking up at 2am to nurse. I would turn the TV on for a little bit of light and something to help me stay awake. What else is on at that time of night but TV Land? So it was re-runs of Threes Company. That is burned into my brain and I laugh thinking about it. But I kept things calm and peaceful. Nothing was chaotic. And I just nursed and adored my sweetie pie. Those moments bond you for sure. You feel like you're the only two beings in the world at that moment. Sammy is a very easy-going kid most of the time too. Laid back. Happy. Chilled. I feel like maybe that goes back to those first few moments of life. He met life that was a bit chaotic but we kept things calm and loving and happy where it mattered. I always say I feel like if he could have talked at that time, he'd give me a fist bump and say "I've got your back, mom!" My boys and I are a team. The Three Musketeers! :)
So how exactly do you keep calm and carry on? I think that's my motto these days! :) First of all, you have to stop over-thinking things so much. We sometimes make things so much worse by letting our imagination dredge up the worst possible scenario when in reality it's not even close to that serious. I have learned to just breathe, live in the moment and try not to think and think.
Which leads to the next point. Take control of your emotions. You can only control yourself. Everyone else is responsible for their thoughts and behavior. Just take the power back when people or circumstances try to affect your life negatively. Don't give away that power especially to petty, nasty people who will always try to be difficult in some way. It's just not worth it. And living peacefully despite their efforts means you win!
I have talked before about staying positive. I do live my life in a positive way. Mind over matter some days of course. I do have bad days but when you see others going through so much worse than you it does put a lot into perspective and make you see that your life is pretty damn great in comparison. My boys and I are strong and healthy. At the end of the day that is the important thing.
Exercise is probably one the best things you can do for yourself, mentally and physically. Nothing calms you better than a good sweat! Even just a fast walk during lunch. Something. Anything is better than sitting there wallowing.
And try to be compassionate and kind. We will be sharing this planet with other beings the rest of our lives. By choosing to understand them and realize everyone is dealing with their own issues and battles and just being nice you will find yourself enjoying the day a lot more. Some people might mistake the "nice" part of me as being a "Sucker". In reality I'm just choosing to rise above and live my life in a positive, kind way on average. I refuse to let the petty things of life bring me down. Nope, not going to happen!!
This was a long read again! Sorry! lol! I get to writing and sometimes I need to remind myself to stop. I hope it's helpful though. I truly do! I know sometimes we all need little reminders. If I can help with that at all then it's worth it!
I hope you all have a great day. Today is the start of my work week. I will make it a good one! I hope you do too! It does appear that Spring/Summer have arrived!
I love these guys! I listen to them a lot. I grew up with it and hearing it gives me a peaceful, nostalgic feeling. Plus they are just awesome! My mom had all the LP's. Enjoy!
A photo from last night. I look tired. Because I was. I had a big 1500 calorie burn at the gym earlier and was feeling the fatigue!! I crashed by 9:45 last night. That's after a busy weekend too! :) Sometimes you just have to wave the white flag and go to bed!
"We do not heal the past by living there; we heal the past by living fully in the present" - Marianne Williamson
xoxoxoxo
Tam
Love!
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