I go through these ruts where, it’s not that I don’t have anything to say, it’s more like - I have too much rummaging through my brain to interpret into coherent sentences. Or, it seems like all I have are sentences, not actually paragraphs or enough for a complete thought for a post.
So, here are some thoughts that have been running through my mind:
I keep hearing about the number of deaths in Ukraine - both Russian soldiers, who were sent into a senseless war as if their lives were meaningless and Ukrainian civilians - who aren’t any different than us and were living their lives just like we do, until a madman decided to destroy their peaceful existence simply because he could.
War is good for nothing at all. It devalues and dehumanizes and destroys and accomplishes nothing but devastation.
I’m not afraid of dying. I am, however, afraid of not living long enough. Who knows how much “enough” is enough, but we should keep on - enough is never enough. There is so much life to live. So much to see. So much to do. Are we really living or are we just - here?
Being family doesn’t require the same beliefs, the same mindset, or the same thoughts. We are individuals blended together. Forcing values on each other rarely accomplishes the intended results. Grace should abound for each other. Also, simply being family doesn’t mean that limits and restrictions on relationships can’t exist.
Instagram is really only good for dog reels these days, right?
I’ve been working on some life changes recently - it’s incredible how freeing it is to let go of some things you thought were necessary to move into a new season of life. Sometimes we get so hung up on being comfortable that we actively dismiss the part of ourselves that demands more.
Demanding more from ourselves and for ourselves doesn’t in itself make us happier, but it could make us more whole. Happiness, by itself, shouldn't be the goal.
I really believe that human beings are the greatest and most innovative invention. The human brain is capable of so much. Sometimes, though, wow - we can be so destructive and really, just stupid. It’s actually quite remarkable.
Parenting is the hardest task I’ve ever encountered, for a variety of reasons. For starters, we feel the expectation to be experts on everything at a moment’s notice. We’ve never been here before, every day is unchartered and still, we pressure ourselves to never fail. We feel awful when we say simply, I don’t know. It’s worse when we are human and let our kids down. One day at a time, sometimes, one hour at a time. It’s okay to give ourselves some grace… and buy an extra bottle of wine (or bourbon).
We don’t always follow our dreams, but we should chase after opportunities that present themselves. I’m speaking to myself here - sometimes it’s necessary to let go of the rails.
Sometimes it seems that I have all these thoughts and more running through my head with the speed of an Olympic sprinter. My mind is always thinking about writing, even if sometimes I feel that “paralysis by analysis” feeling. Sometimes it flows and other times it’s a slow drip.
I appreciate you being here.
JG