33: This. Is. Me.

Well, folks.

Here we are.

Yet another Monday during this quarantine pandemic.

I think we are in month 6? But I can’t confirm.

Can anyone out there tell me?

All the months, weeks, days, hours, minutes–even seconds–just seem to muddle all together anymore.

Is muddle even a word? Did I use it correctly?

I just went online to look up the definition and it would appear that I did use it properly, so yay me! This is why English was always my favorite subject I guess.

Muddle:

VERB

–Bring into a disordered or confusing state.

I would say that the pandemic has done a great job of muddling everything in our lives.

Wouldn’t you agree?

But amidst all of the muddling, I also believe that the pandemic has put several things into a very clear perspective as well.

I’m not sure if it was the fact that I celebrated my 33rd year of life on Earth this past week, but something really got me emotional receiving all of the love via social media posts and messages, phone calls, texts, and photos of past times.

It was overwhelming and beautiful.

Also…fun fact side note…I’m not a huge fan of celebrating my birthday–I enjoy more of the low key celebrations with people I love.

Regardless, all of the love and support was beautiful.

And one of the things that this year’s love and support received on my special day put into perspective for me is how humbled and grateful I am to have such amazing people in my life (both family and friends) supporting me through thick and thin with undying and overflowing love no matter what the circumstance.

I wear the title and nickname of “Mr. Sunshine” very proudly throughout my daily life. I take it seriously and work advocate for advocate for things that emulate the entities of love and kindness. I thrive on wanting to help others and will often whatever in my power to make that happen. It’s how I was raised and how I will continue to live out all the remaining years of my life.

If I can work to make positive change around me and spread just a small glimmer of hope and light to another person, than I’ve accomplished my ultimate goal.

And if I can encourage others around me to do the same, well then…that’s just the icing on the cake!

Speaking or cake, I could REALLY go for a piece right now. YUM!

But I digress.

This pandemic has certainly taken a toll on all of us in multiple areas and perspectives of our lives. For me personally, it has challenged me mentally, especially with the task of working from home for both my full time and part time jobs. There are moments when I get so sick of starting at the same walls that I just scream out loud. There are times when I get so frustrated that I just close my eyes and wish for a magic wand to appear that can just take us back to the days when none of this existed.

However, on the flip side, this pandemic has also put into perspective how thankful I am for my health, my career, and the fact that I still have the opportunity to continue working when so many are without work or still trying to pick up the pieces and figure it all out.

33 is going to be one of my biggest years yet and when January 4th, 2021 arrives, you will know why. It will be challenging to the max. It will test me emotionally, physically, and mentally.

But I couldn’t be more excited to share my passion with you all while also working to try and accomplish the task of creative positive change and bringing some much needed sunshine and light into the the world as well, especially in these troubling times that we are experiencing. I’m hoping that the release of my newest “mission” will be a refreshing reprieve from the negative news that seems to consume our lives on the daily.

I hope you are as excited as I am.

The world needs sunshine, hope, love, and kindness.

And while we continue to be consumed with the negative energy of the world events around us, remember to step back and take a few moments to put things into perspective.

Think about the things you are grateful for. Writem them down. Make a list where you can see it. Make a note on your phone. Put the list wherever you find it easily.

In times of chaos, look to them as a reminder to bring you back to Earth. To reset yourself. To recharge and move forward without missing a beat.

Think about the people in your life who mean the most to you. The ones you crave connection with and appreciate spending time with. And take a moment or two to let them know that.

Give the world the love, sunshine, light, and kindness it needs.

And circle your calendar for January 4th, 2021.

Sprinkle sunshine always,

JP!