Hi, folks!
It is time yet again for another Monday.
And this Monday just so happens to be the very last day of the second month of 2022!
Crazy!
Crazy!
CRAZY!
Time is just flying by way too fast to be honest.
And this week we celebrate Fat Tuesday and Ash Wednesday, which is usually the time of year where I give up something for 40 days.
I’ve done Facebook, Dr. Pepper, and soda in the past, but I want to try something different this year. It needs to be a challenge for me that causes a temptation.
What have you given up in the past? Basically, send me some suggestions.
Kthanks.
That isn’t even the theme of this week’s post, which means I better stop digressing and get on with it in these next paragraphs!
While I don’t often take naps anymore these days, I have to say that the events of this past week were so draining that I just had to lay vertical for a few hours to recharge.
And when I woke up in the bed of my childhood with the blankets cuddling me and the familiarity and comfort of the walls and stuffed animals and trophies on the wall shelves, I started to think about the many children over in Ukraine who are currently being forced out of their homes to find safety from the current attacks of war that are happening.
I thought about the familiarity and comfort I was experiencing and how it has been stripped right out from under so many in the matter of seconds.
I thought about the many people who don’t have the luxury of being cuddled in blankets of warmth to feel comfort from the dark depths of the outside world.
So, as I continue to see the heartbreaking images from Ukraine and the current climate happening over there, I’m immediately reminded of how thankful I am…and how thankful we all should be for the lives and comforts that we have.
Therefore, I felt the need to share this week with you some of the things that I’m extremely thankful for. And I hope that you will also share with both me and those around you some entities that you are thankful for.
- I’m thankful for extremely loving family that has always been supportive.
- I’m thankful for amazing friends that make every day wonderful.
- I’m thankful for careers in both full-time and part-time capacities that help me to stay financially stable .
- I’m thankful for a roof over my head.
- I’m thankful for blankets that keep me warm and give me a sense of security. Think of me as an adult Linus.
- I’m thankful for laughter that keeps me feeling like a child at heart.
- I’m thankful for food on my table that gives me nourishment and strength.
- I’m thankful for medicine that helps us be better when we are not feeling 100%.
- I’m thankful for the people in fields of work that I count on constantly: restaurant workers, medical workers, trash workers, grocery store workers, theater performers, volunteers, teachers, custodians.
- I’m thankful for a faith community that allows me to be myself and help spread the love of God to all through both music and word.
These are just a few of the things that I’m thankful for in life. Honestly, I could make a list of 100 things—I could write a book actually, but I also want to make sure that I’m not taking up too much of your time with the reading of these words…another thing I’m thankful for. YOU! For constantly coming back week after week to read!
I hope all of you take a few moments today, tomorrow, and all the days after to share with others what you are thankful for because we should not take anything for granted these days.
The images of Ukraine and the destruction that is currently happening isn’t the only entity that got me drained this last week.
The news of the “Don’t Say Gay” bill being passed by an overwhelming 69-47 vote in Florida provided anger and sadness in my heart.
If you need a quick explanation about what the bill is, here is a quick read:
https://news.yahoo.com/florida-don-t-gay-bill-145548923.html
I flashback to my days in high school when I was struggling with my sexuality. I came out to a few friends at first, but the fact that I was able to have that conversation freely was a huge weight off my shoulders. Knowing that children will not have the ability to talk about it makes me scared for the well-being of any individual that is struggling with their identity.
I was lucky enough to have the support of incredible family and friends, but I know not everyone is that lucky. I am a proud gay man and I am a proud gay man that will continue to display my true colors to the world around me.
And even in the year of 2022, there are still stares that happen, ignorant remarks that are shouted, and people who will always choose hate over love just because of the person we choose to have feelings for.
The personal lives of others’, especially their sexuality, should never be something that a government gets involved with and it is absurd and absolutely ridiculous that this is a news story headline that we are reading in 2022.
It is infuriating, to be honest.
But it won’t keep me from being loud and proud and fighting for what I believe in.
As the images from Ukraine continue to be displayed to us throughout the week, I hope all of you will take time to look in the mirror and share with yourself and others some things that you are thankful for.
And just in case you need to know how you can support the people of Ukraine, here is a quick link that will share some easy ways to donate and help.
https://www.npr.org/2022/02/25/1082992947/ukraine-support-help
Sprinkle sunshine always,
JP!
Mr. Sunshine Smiles 