Ever Have One of Those Days, Weeks, or Months You’d Rather Forget?

Did you ever have one of those days, weeks, or months when you say to yourself, maybe I should go back to bed, or perhaps I should not make such grand plans because they might be canceled, or perhaps I shouldn’t drive anywhere because I might wreck the car?

I’m having one of those days, weeks, and months.  If you know me, you know I’m a happy, positive, cheerful person.  At the moment, I’m a little in the dumps but trying with all my might to pull myself out of the rut.  Sometimes it helps to write in my journal.  Sometimes it helps to cheer someone else up.  And it always helps me find peace by praying.

Yes, sadness shows its face to all of us.  But helping us navigate away from that sadness and despair are our friends.  They can assist us in carrying the burden by showing us the positive or listening to us rant and cry.

I can say, “woe is me,” but it’s more critical for me to remember my friends’ going through difficult times.  I have a friend whose daughter has breast cancer.  I have a friend who just lost his sister.  I have a friend who has Parkinson’s Disease.  I have two friends who suffer from MS.  And the list of illnesses and tragedies goes on.

I know things are not going as planned right now, but when faced with life’s challenges, we need to get a stiff upper lip and remind ourselves that life is like a bed of roses.  Sometimes it smells glorious, and other times you get stuck by the thorns.

I have included a few inspirational quotes I found regarding strength in hard times:

• Tough times never last, but tough people do.” – Robert H. Schuller
• “Above all, be the heroine of your life, not the victim.” ― Nora Ephron
• “You never know how strong you are until being strong is the only choice you have.”– Bob Marley
• “Out of suffering have emerged the strongest souls; the most massive characters are seared with scars.” – Khalil Gibran
• “Be strong. You never know who you are inspiring.” – Unknown
• “You may not control all the events that happen to you, but you can decide not to be reduced by them.” – Maya Angelou

I enjoy surprising others with little random acts of kindness.  My daughter, Courtney, was blessed with a special teacher in fifth grade.  Miss Roberts had so much to share with students, and she made it a project to teach them about Random Acts of Kindness.  She would then ask them to share what they did.  I was so impressed by this and have continued to try to make this one of my priorities.

One year after moving into the subdivision we now live in, I baked cookies on May first (May Day) and delivered them with an attached note to several of my new friends.  I get such pleasure from this, and I realize I should do it more often.

I hope you have a better day, week, or month than I am having and that you share your happiness with those around you.

Check out the websites listed for more information on surviving tough times.

• https://www.inc.com/amy-morin/how-to-stay-mentally-strong-during-lifes-toughest-challenges.html
• https://www.businessinsider.com/10-ways-mentally-strong-people-stay-strong-during-rough-patch-2020-3
• https://www.helpguide.org/articles/stress/surviving-tough-times.htm

All my best,

Julie