I’m logging back on, Patsy. The work has to continue.

It’s okay to have off days and on days, especially following a tragedy.

Prior to my current way of thinking it was common for me to try and push through, power on, get past a tough mental situation without giving it the space or attention it needed. I would have said to you, “It’s fine. I’m fine. I’ll get over it. I’ll carry it, no problem.” I was a teacher so I had work to get to. My dad was a cop so he taught me to “deal with it.” I’m a man so it’s weak to “show emotion.”

I may have a few friends reading this who think what an ooey-gooey mess I was back in the day (the late 2000s and early 2010s) and oh brother, let me tell you, it could have been way worse. I only like to show an extreme level of emotion when I’m happy or ecstatic or angry.

Sadness. That’s the one I’ve never been able to figure out. Fortunately, I have a supportive wife who tells me when it’s okay to lay on the floor, let our sons crawl on top of me to play with their toys like I’m some kind of mini-table, and just relax. Take a moment. Breathe. Remember the good times and know they come back around when needed. Sometimes there needs to be hardships so we remember what we lost.

I promise I’m not a self-help guru in any way, but I like to think the simplest solutions are the best.

Though it may feel like we’re reaching a turning point, that doesn’t mean the car automatically continues onward by itself. It still requires you to keep trying, to keep learning, to be aware, to look in all directions (yes, even your blind spot Arizona drivers), and to ride the gas at a moderate rate, but slowly accelerate when the turn is done. We’ll get back to a full-steam ahead type mindset soon. Keep reading new things. Listen to new things. Stay safe.

One more day till the turn begins.

Thanks for reading,

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