What I Learned This Summer ☀️

journaling, decisions, and trapping a bat 🦇

Since May 31, I have spent eight weeks in North Carolina and twelve days in Maryland. I resigned from my virtual assistant job at the end of August. I started lap swimming and went to a few water aerobics classes. It has been a full summer of spending time with my parents, family, and friends along with slowly moving my body to regain some strength that was lost due to my health.

On top of that, all that has been going on in the world? My head is full. How about you?

I’ve always been a journaler and that helps when my head is full. To dump out all that’s inside in a safe place. To make sure that I notice the small things as well as the big. But what also helps as I’m journaling or as I go throughout my day, is to pay attention to what I’m learning. If I don’t write it down, I forget it. And sometimes I write it down and still forget it. 🙄

My friend, Emily, has taught me about the importance of this practice and has written a guided journal to help us. A cool benefit about this practice is sometimes the reflection of what you have been learning will help you make some important decisions. For example, I stopped working a few weeks ago so that I can have the flexibility to spend more time with my parents and family. It was not an easy decision because I loved my job but it was the best decision for this stage of my life.

Thanks for being here with me on this journey and I hope you’ll be encouraged by what I’ve learned this summer:

• Trust the decision you made yesterday.

• Rainy days at the beach are a lot easier when your kids are older.

• Don’t be afraid to write poetry, or read it for that matter. You may learn something about yourself.

• The older generation has unique vulnerabilities, we must do what we can to protect them just as much as we champion to protect the younger generation.

• Listen to their story again, even if you’ve heard it before.

• I cannot read historical fiction (my favorite genre) when it’s hot outside. Historical fiction needs a cozy chair and a soft blanket.

• Mental health is just as important as physical and spiritual health.

• When your mental health needs a boost, don’t forget to play.

• When a bat is trapped in your basement, let it fly around until it’s exhausted and easier to trap. A big fishing net from Walmart may help, too.

• To see the goodness of the Lord in the land of the living, you have to look up and put down that tool of the internet in your hand!

• When floating down a river on a tube with your kids, make sure the straps that are connecting your tubes together are securely fastened or you will find yourself floating away from your kids straight towards a bridge pillar. Thank you, Zen Tubing, for a “zany” instead of “zen” tube float.

• Not hiding your anxiety allows you to become a better friend. The same goes for pain.

• Healing is still slow, and that’s okay.

• Do not neglect the memorization of scripture.

Essays could be written about each of these lessons and maybe I’ll expand on some of them here in this space. Would you like to read more about one of them? Let me know in the comments or simply reply to the email.

Have a great week, friends, and I’ll see you back here soon!

p.s. My husband is writing again and it’s a breath of fresh air!