by Janet

Beautiful Storm

I started working on this image during my “time out” yesterday. I feel wonderful today, and very well rested. The beach scene is not quite where I wanted it to be, but it will have to do. For now. Striving for perfection is exhausting, so it’s “good enough.”

I’ve come to the conclusion that—even with this extra time we’ve all been given—it’s still possible to burn out. Too much sleeping, overeating, excessive introspection, and even (in my own case) an overdose of blogging. Some of it isn’t visible; it’s the unseen things we do behind the scenes—thinking about what to share, writing and editing, scratching the whole shabang and then starting over—that sort of stuff. Assuming I’m not the only one who does that!

Yesterday I REALLY dug in and I’m almost finished cleaning and organizing my space (the old bedroom / desk / work area). Wednesday is my new student orientation at the University— which, unfortunately, is now on zoom instead of face to face—and then the following Monday my classes start. Yay! That being said, I’ll be too busy to over-introspect or overdose on blogging, so that’s really good news. Anyway, it felt SO good to clean and organize. Sometimes I think cleaning is good for the soul. It helps us heal, and everything looks so pleasing afterwards. Like a fresh start!

I thought I’d do a Daily Gratitude because that’s how I feel today. After writing about my struggles with the ALL or NOTHING syndrome, and trying to find some kind of balance, I see something very beautiful in that storm, something I’m very grateful for…

Sanity: The ability to think and behave in a normal and rational manner.

Although it’s not official, I’ll stick to the definition of insanity as “doing the same thing over and over and expecting different results.” I’ve done that before! And I blamed everyone around me for the destructive tornado that seemed to follow me wherever I went. Not until recovery did I learn that it was me. I was the cause. It was MY storm.

Having a sound mind and the wherewithal to think and sort through my whirlwind of thoughts, from different perspectives, is something I’m truly grateful for. It is in that storm that the answers hide.

I’m ALSO grateful to all of the readers, my friends. Every comment (or like) encourages me, and your words have helped me to see or realize new things. 

I know it’s a bit strange to lump together sanity and readers (friends), but actually it’s not. This is a difficult and unusual time we’re all in. Life is “different” right now, and it will be different for quite some time. Being there for each other is part of what keeps us sane. So, if you ask me, I’d say that the two go hand in hand.

Thank you for reading, and for being there!

Peace & Love…
—Janet

27 Comments

  5. Wonderful post! First, I LOVE the photo–I’m a “blue” person 🙂 Also, I totally agree that it’s still possible to burnout, in a pandemic time-out. A lot of us just don’t have the “app” for relax and do nothing, or at least “less” (and there are various reasons–some of us are raised to be busy 24/7, many people stay over-busy to escape something/someone).

    You used the phrase, “good enough”–interesting, since I used “close enough” in my Glad Game Gratitudes post 🙂 I’m well familiar with “over blogging”–I’m sure that’s why I’ve quit on so many blogs…when it might have been more reasonable to just slow down, take breaks. April, being chock full of challenges…what can I say? I couldn’t say “no” 😉 My over-thinking, chronic editing doesn’t affect my poetry–I can whip those out pretty quickly–but other posts can take forever, wear me out 🙂

    I agree with you about cleaning, too–though I don’t do it as often as I did when I was younger; psychologically it’s very beneficial–if I don’t get stuck on how “futile” it is! (Dust is back within 24 hours.)

    And I’ll never forget learning from Joyce Meyer that my storms of unhappiness cannot be blamed on others…it’s about my expectations. Freeing…yet sometimes I forget…

    Finally, I LOVED what you said in your last paragraph–it echoed something in the message I heard today from Pastor Jimmy Evans, on “Attitude”. He said there’s “false optimism”, “hopeless pessimism” and the best attitude: “Triumphant Realism”–which is where you acknowledge a tough situation, and that you don’t know WHEN it will improve, but you hold onto faith and trust confidently that God will make things better in HIS time. Our job is to keep a good attitude of faith and trust in Him–and whatever He asks us to do, the answer is, “Yes, Lord”.

    May HE bless you SO Abundantly, Janet–your posts are so often right up my alley 🙂

    Liked by 2 people

    1. Wow thank you Z!! I really appreciate your awesome feedback, it gives me hope and confidence. If you knew how often I clean you’d understand. Dust is very prominent around here, especially on hardwood floors. My thing is organization. If I can walk around without tripping, and know where everything is, I’m a happy camper. HaHa!!

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    2. You’re most welcome, dear heart ❤ Dust is very prevalent here too–I'm a block from a major state highway! Drives me nuts–but having cataracts is a plus…if I can't see dust/dirt, I don't have to clean, right? Oh, don't get me started about "organization"…I used to think that was one of my finer attributes. Maybe it's the ageing brain, but I usually can't find where I've "filed" something…and the worst part is that I only have 3 rooms, 2 closets–how difficult can it be to find "organized" things in such a small place??!! I'm hopelessly OLD 🙂

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    6. Could be both, in my apt! Before I had the flat screen TV, I knew it was time to dust when Steve McGarrett appeared to be wearing a lace shawl over his trademark blue suit 🙂 (Hawaii Five-0, in case you missed the reference 🙂 Aloha!)

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  7. Glad to hear you’ll be starting classes again. Seems like a worthwhile distraction! Sanity is something to be grateful for these days…as are friends! Thankful for you and your words as well.💕

    Liked by 1 person

    1. Thanks Collette! Worthwhile distraction indeed. I think mainly it keeps me from wallowing in self-doubt. I’m very grateful we’ve connected and appreciate your encouragement as well. 🙂

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