How to Move Forward: A Step at a Time Together

This week felt like a year is a sentiment I have thought a million times since 2018. It certainly fits my feelings this week, too. Really is the recurring question I have thought so many times this week. I have asked it out loud too. Anger and anxiety induced tears have been a common occurrence this week. Crying is a release and a processing tool for me. It is cathartic. Being able to process feelings in a healthy way is a strength. Crying is not hurtful. It is a gift to be able to feel the pain and hurt of others in addition to mine. Of course, I speak of the pain, hurt, and loss in the world (at large); but I also mean in my own world. It has been a week as many weeks, it seems, in my world.

Do I get overwhelmed, tired, and struggle to carry/balance it all? YES! When I feel those, now familiar, feelings what do I do? What is the way forward? I wish I had a simple, easy, answer to those questions for us all (me included). Only there are none. What I do know for sure (for me) is my faith, integrity, and the people who love/know me best is the starting point. Those three are my foundations. Those words written in red in my Bible are always a good place to start. I must start there. What I find when reading those words is love is the answer. As it always is. Here is where I am currently. Give as much as love to everybody (yes, I mean EVERYBODY) as Jesus gave me and gives me. I must include myself in everybody I have to love. If I cannot/do not love myself and have the ability to give myself grace, how am I supposed to give it to anyone else? Spoiler alert: I cannot.

Establishing that, what is logical and rational? One day at a time and step at a time. Baby steps if necessary. Those steps require me to be braver and more myself than ever before. Meaning lead by example. Such a realization is nerve wracking and extremely uncomfortable. Then I remembered something else vital: there is never a need for me to do all this alone. I do not have aces up my sleeve, but I do have them in my pocket in my cell phone everyday/all day, always, specifically. These aces are my chosen family, and together there is NOTHING we cannot accomplish or get through, thriving. They help me be brave and encourage me to be myself…fully. Knowing the truth of that allows me to do the same for each of you in this community we are creating together being the light and example I am meant to be.