This past week marked a few milestones around here. First, our youngest completed her Senior year of high school. Dean & I are all kinds of proud of both our girls and continue to marvel at what comes with this parenting gig.
There is nothing quite like being responsible for launching another person out into the world. It’s a bizarre combination of sweet moments that cause your heart to burst with joy, paired with strange moments that cause you to question what the F are we doing here and it’s all woven together into a tapestry that you are simultaneously proud of, humbled by and a little unsure if you did it right or not.
I do believe parenting is second only to marriage in presenting us with constant “opportunities” to learn about ourselves.
However, that’s a topic for another day when we have a larger chunk of time and the happy hour beverages are flowing freely.
Another milestone from this past week was I found myself leveling up in a fascinating game I’m playing called “Guess What Else You Can’t Control?” For all my gaming-nerd friends out there, it does appear this game has MANY expansion packs (work, family, life, health, etc.)
Whimsical concept aside I think we can all agree things have been rough and no one is immune from the hardships and disappointments life can dish up. I do wish I had more to say along the lines of concrete answers when navigating this world, but what I can share comes more in the form of encouraging observations. #betterthannothing
There are 2 things which have been anchors for me in this season of bizarro world 2022:
1. I get to choose how I respond
2. The importance expressing gratitude every day (even it’s only for one thing)
None of this is new stuff, but sometimes it’s best to get back to the basics when you find yourself in regular rotation on the Misery-Merry-Go-Round. #worstrideEVER
Much can be unpacked about either anchor, but I will just add that I do a lot better at choosing how I respond in situations when I know I have places and spaces that I can go to say all of my words. #nofilter Once I have a chance to really express how I feel it takes the edge off so that I can get clarity on how to respond instead of react.
In terms of gratitude, most people agree with the concept of having gratitude, but are not intentional about the practice of it. The problem with that is when bottoms drop out or unforeseen clusterfucks cross your path; it’s harder to weather the storm because your gratitude muscle is not that strong. (SIDENOTE TO MY DAD: Clusterfuck is in the Merriam-Webster dictionary, so please refrain from any “Oh Beckys” you may be tempted to share with me)
Last update to share, I had the privilege of recording an audio drama for a show called The Half Hour Audio Hour. It will air in mid-June and I’ll share the link as it gets closer, but it was fun getting to work and collaborate with other artists. It’s so different from most of my audiobook projects where it’s just me, myself & I in the booth.
Let me know how you are getting through these crazy times or if either of my anchors are resonating with you. And if you know anyone who may find this content helpful, please pass along this post.
(also, I’m trying to think of a sign-off, like peace out or until next week or stay crazy Austin; which I believe I only have one subscriber from Austin and one more who is named Austin so that’s probably not gonna stick, but anyway, if you have any suggestions I’d love to hear ‘em.)
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