Here we are.
The very last day of September.
That means…
October is right around the corner.
I feel like I’ve said this before, but it feels like it was just turning 2024 yesterday.
And yet, here we are, starting the 10th month of the year.
Which means…the big question is:
What are you having for Thanksgiving dinner?
Are mashed potatoes on your menu?
Actually, better yet…what kind of candy or treat are you giving out for Halloween?
Are you a trick?
Or a treat?
That could be the name of a fun game show…or reality show, right?
TRICK OR TREAT?
Here I go again…on my little tangents.
Getting side tracked.
So typical of me.
Also, I just watched the season premiere of 911 and…
OH.
M.
GOODNESS.
Sooooo good.
And like Angela Bassett…she is just so bad ass.
Literally can’t wait for next week.
Anyhoo, in the true JP fashion, I have sidetracked from this week’s theme once again.
So, let’s get down to business.
Woo.
A few weeks ago, I met with a colleague via Teams who I hadn’t seen in about a year.
And she mentioned to me that I looked and just felt so much lighter. It was the energy I was giving off during our call.
HIGH PRAISE.
Like, honestly.
It felt so good to hear that.
Because, I indeed feel a lot lighter.
And the fact that people are noticing it is even more huge.
It has been a process with hard work, soul listening, and personal evolution.
So, how did I do it?
How do I keep doing it?
First and foremost, I have to attribute a lot of this to the work that I have had the opportunity to do with Ryan Chalfant–The Fitness Alchemist since starting with him in February of 2023.
The wellness of the body–mental, spiritual, and physical–have all been raised to new levels with his guidance, support, and love.
Secondly, I was able to realize after 7 years of living in Lancaster, that the home life was just not for me anymore.
So, I took matters into my own hands and decided to sell the Sunshine Cottage and move back to the apartment life in Lititz.
And that is a life decision that I’m still incredibly happy with a year and a half later.
These were BIG life decisions that I had to look inside myself to make and act on them.
Honestly, there are little things that I try to do constantly in my life to keep that “lightness” feeling alive, so let’s bullet point some of them now for you.
-While it might not always be a lot of time with each encounter, I try to live in the moment of enjoying time with my family when I have the opportunity. Family dinners on a weekly basis have an important impact on the comfort of tradition and routine.
-I leave work at work. I used to be terrible at this, but it is one thing that I have evolved greatly at and now know how to keep any weight of the workday in the space of the cubicle walls when the laptop gets shut.
-I put my phone on DND every night at a specific time so that I can curtail the craving of scrolling and wasting time with social media stuff.
-I always take short walks throughout the day by leaving my computer and giving my mind a brain break.
-I give myself time each night to decompress whether it be with a hot shower, scented candle burning, English muffin pizzas, an adult beverage, favorite TV show/movie, or cuddles with Rocky. Whatever the thing, I always, ALWAYS make sure that there is some type of JP time every single night no matter what the duration and length.
-I play songs in the car that I sing to loudly even if they are ones that I’ve heard 194025 times. Nothing like belting to a ballad or high-energy jam when you’re in the driver’s seat.
-While I usually have a packed schedule and don’t always get to see friends super often, I try to enjoy the moments when I do have the opportunity to enjoy their company fully without distraction.
-I may work several jobs, but I find different joys and fulfilling energies with each one that keep the soul burning brightly. If one starts to go off kilter or is giving me more stress than I need, it is either call it quits or share my opinions about what isn’t working.
-I know when my mental energy tank is running low and how to articulate that verbally to others in life, which was something I used to not always have courage to do.
-I take time to write these posts and make videos to help others become inspired or just to give those who need it most the laugh and joy that could make their whole day…week…month…or even year.
There’s heavy stuff in the world around us and it isn’t going away anytime soon.
We all have the ability and deserve the chance to feel lighter.
Step back.
Take a deep breath.
Find the entities in your life to help make those lighter feelings a reality.
Sprinkle sunshine always,
JP!
Mr. Sunshine Smiles 