Reflections & Recharges

Happy Monday to all!

I’m happy to have you back for my 176th post in this second week of July after we have splurged on the hot dogs, cheeseburgers, corn on the cob, ice cream, and fireworks amongst the colors of red, white, and blue.

I hope everyone was able to enjoy their holiday with some relaxation, sunshine, reflection, and loved ones.

Also, can someone please tell me why they always say that Summer is half over once the Fourth of July hits? Like, Summer technically starts on June 21st, so in reality, Summer has only been happening for about 3 weeks.

Like…MMMBYEEE.

It isn’t half over.

Anyhoo, I digress as per the usual.

It’s time to get down to business.

Let’s talk reflections and recharges.

Hence the title of this week’s blog post.

There’s a lot of shit happening in the world right now.

Like…heavy shit.

And on top of that, we all have our own shit to deal with.

It can make days draining and exhausting.

For the past two weeks, I have started to reflect and focus more on some stuff in my own personal life that I will open up about shortly while also sharing some ways that I was able to rejuvenate myself this week too.

As I’ve started to witness the world around us break down a little bit more each day, week, and month—I have started to fall victim to the dangerous cancer known as “social media comparing.”

Yes, that toxicity known as scrolling through the images, the perfect people who show their “real” lives for us to like, comment, and be jealous about.

It’s toxic.

And I dislike it very much when I fall wind to it.

But it always seems to happen when the shit in the world is going bonkers.

So, this week, I started to cleanse myself and mute stories and posts of people both on Facebook and Instagram that are not bringing any joy to my life.

I shouldn’t have to chase people to be attracted me and what my morals are. I want people in my circle to naturally be drawn to me with my energy, my positivity, and the qualities I exude in life.

Sorry not sorry.

And honestly, doing that feels freeing. Like a 100lb weight has been lifted from my shoulders.

So, if you find yourself practicing “social media comparing”–try cleansing and muting those in your life who aren’t really worth it.

YOU are better than that.

Period.

End of story.

Moving on.

NEXT.

I’ve noticed more recently that I’ve started to struggle with taking things personally.

This is something I’m definitely better at than I used to be, but I have recently seemed to slip more into the habit of creating stories in my head that aren’t true.

When I take things personally, I become jealous, I get direct, and I shut down in a quiet blanket of little to no talking.

So, for the month of July, to combat these negative take things personally feelings, I have started to focus more on ME and what I can control.

I’ve started to set my alarm a few minutes earlier to get that extra jolt to start the day rather than being lazy and lying in bed under the covers for “just a few more minutes.”

And with those extra few minutes, I have started to begin each morning with 15 push ups, 15 sit ups, and 15 squats. I also end each day with this same routine.

In addition, I have started to add protein powder to my morning coffee and stopped listen to music on my runs so that I can focus more on the mental aspect of just CLEANSING the toxins and shit of the world and my life from the body without distraction.

And with these reflections also came some moments of rejuvenation this week.

So…let’s talk recharge.

Moment #1: Family time (which includes Ginger) with picnic food, having conversation, drinking a few adult beverages, and enjoying the sunshine together. Simple joys.

Moment #2: Having a day off date with my bestie that included some day drinking, hamburgers, and fun games followed by movie watching, ice cream eating, and pizza when his partner got home from work to join us!

Moment #3: Having Pastor Angie over at my casa for some real talk discussion about feelings, the church, and everything in between. You never know how good and therapeutic it is to hash out words with others in your life until you are actually in the moment doing it.

Moment #4: Spending some quality time with my good friends Marissa and Missy on Saturday night trying to find how to get to Morgantown Casino. It was quite the adventure that we were not expecting because there was literally no damn road to turn into the parking lot after getting off the turnpike. Not only did we try this once, but TWICE. About 35 miles wasted each way. But we ended up at Hollywood Casino outside of Hershey and had many laughts in the car on the way there after a few choice words about the damn directions of not being able to get to Morgantown. And we got to relish in a Summer classic of soft serve ice cream with rainbow sprinkles. DELISH. Never under estimate the power of laughs with friends.

Moment #5: The Cornhole Tournament at the St. Paul Penryn Backyard that I got to play at with some good friends while also witnessing many diverse individuals of our community coming together to enjoy a night out in fellowship together. Both Pastor Angie and I have shared some similar feelings of sadness/lack of energy recently at church with lower attendance and while it is not something to take personally, it can be hard especially for leaders of the church. But Friday night (and frankly our Sunday morning church service) were the jolt of revitalizing spunk that we needed. The faith community at St. Paul Penryn is incredibly important to so many and while religion isn’t everyone’s thing given the fact that the church has given some individuals really negative experiences in the past, I promise you that St. Paul Penryn is different. We love all. We support all. We welcome all. So, please check us out or message me if you want more information or just want to chat about what we are about. I’m an open door and book.

Well, folks.

That’s all I’ve got for you this week with my 176th blog post.

I wish all of you a most wonderful week and hope that you fill find time to have your own reflections and recharges.

Be kind.

Oh…and…

P.S.—Match.com is still a thing and I’m still talking with the same person I was originally matched with 70 days ago. It has definitely been an emotional roller coaster, but I’m not quite ready to throw in the towel yet.

P.P.S.—A Mr. Sunshine project for 2023 is in the works, so get excited! I’m sure some of you already have guesses of what it could be, but I’m not telling! At least until January 2nd!

Sprinkle sunshine always,

JP!