Mr. Sunshine Smiles

Well, hello there folks!

Here we are celebrating another Monday of the Summer season.

Isn’t it crazy that we are at the end of August already?!

Like where has the time gone?!

I still wake up in the mornings thinking that we were just watching the 2021 ball drop in Times Square.

Anyhoo, I digress.

But before I begin, I must say that I’m sending good vibes, thoughts, and prayers to everyone involved with the Afghanistan crisis and also all of those who have been hit or are in the path of Hurricane Ida.

There has been a lot of turmoil recently in the world and it has really been challenging to keep positive thoughts alive on the daily.

Well, let’s get down to business.

I promise to not keep you long this week.

It will be short and sweet.

I’m officially a 34 year-old.

Wow.

That’s crazy.

Say those words again.

34.

Kind of just sits there after you say it…in an awkward silence of nothing-ness.

34 years on this Earth and hopefully many more to come.

I can’t begin to thank everyone who reached out via text, phone call, Facebook message, Facebook post, or whatever other social outlet available to give me well wishes this year.

The love and support I have from so many different individuals makes me both humble and grateful. I am incredibly lucky 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 hard to advocate for things that emulate the entities of love and kindness. I thrive on wanting to help others and will often do whatever I can 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.

What is 34?

34 Is…

…falling asleep on the couch at 9pm and not having a care in the world.

…getting a second wind at the most random parts of the evening and cleaning the house with that extra energy.

…trying to balance careers, family, friends, and extra curricular activities without cutting corners and giving everything the time and attention they deserve.

…eating ice cream direct from the carton and loving every second.

…watching episodes of tv shows more than once and still laughing over and over.

…knowing that there are moments when you need to be alone without any communication to recharge.

…being emotional and crying over the littlest of things.

…knowing that it is ok to ask for help.

…trying to look inside your soul for your purpose in life.

…coloring outside the lines every once in awhile to go against the status quo.

…enjoying time with family every chance you get.

…laughing with friends who don’t judge you.

…figuring out who deserves to be in your life and those that need weeded out of it.

…waking up to the smell of coffee at 5:45am.

…cuddling in a blanket for comfort.

…being single and fabulous.

…sneaking in moments of cuddling with puppies whenever time allows.

…trying to change the world with one small act of kindness each day.

…working to inspire others to bring light to the world.

…singing your favorite tunes in the car as loud as possible.

…doing your best with what you’ve been given.

…crying at the romantic comedy movies that are corny.

…not knowing what the term “sleeping in” means.

…eating a whole pizza by yourself and not counting calories.

…enjoying Disney movies that make you feel like a child at heart.

…closing your eyes and taking a deep breath to reset.

…putting your feet up on the coffee table every night for a few moments to unwind.

…texting someone in your life to let them know you are thinking about them.

…appreciating sunsets and the beauty of Mother Nature.

…treating others with kindness…ALWAYS.

This. Is. 34.

Sprinkle sunshine always,

JP!

Well, hello there folks!

Another happy Monday to you all! Another week down and another one beginning!

This past week has been draining with all the negative news happening around the world that it has been hard to not focus on that.

My prayers and good vibes go out to everyone who has experienced floods, turmoil, violence, war, takeover in their Country–whatever the case might be. It has just been a lot.

So, this week in my final days of being 33, I decided I had to just make this blog post fun and flirty!

Well, technically this post isn’t flirty, but it coupled well with fun and gave me the alliteration with using another word that started with an ‘f’ so I went with it.

Hopefully, you’ll go with it too.

Let’s do some fun facts about me…33 of them!

Grab that morning beverage sidekick and get ready to learn even more about Mr. Sunshine.

#33: The candle scent currently burning as I write this is watermelon lemonade.

#32: The current body lotion scent from Bath & Body Works that I’m obsessed with is called bourbon.

#31: In January of 2022, I will be taking my first trip ever to Las Vegas.

#30: My favorite type of milk to drink is the Weis Markets brand of whole chocolate milk. It’s like a signature collection item according to the label. Fancy.

#29: The temperature that I keep my air conditioner set at during the Summer is 76 degrees.

#28: Pink Starburst are my favorite.

#27: Speaking of Starburst, I love that they have a “fave reds” bag. I wish Tootsie would do the same thing with their lollipops.

#26: I literally love cheese so much that I can eat an entire tray of the Cracker Barrel extra sharp yellow cheese slices in one sitting.

#25: The shaving cream that I’m currently using for my face is Skintimate strawberry tangerine twist. Doesn’t that make you want to go eat fruit?! Oh wait…am I the only one?

#24: I’m a brand snob when it comes to Ranch dressing and prefer Hidden Valley over all other brands.

#23: Sometimes at night, I really struggle with restless legs and it is SO annoying.

#22: I really wish Wawa would add french fries to their menu.

#21: Speaking of Wawa, I love their mashed potatoes.

#20: The last 10 minutes of The Golden Girls series finale makes me cry every time regardless of how many times I’ve seen it.

#19: The other morning after dealing with water in my basement, I discovered that my washer wouldn’t power on and I thought it was because water might have gotten inside it. So, I found the manual and read the troubleshooting tips. I then discovered that the electrical cord had jiggled out of the socket. This was the first time I read troubleshooting tips for use of something in my home. And honestly, it could even be the last.

#18: I will never forget the night when I was in high school working at Freeze N Frizz and the soft ice cream machine exploded and soft serve mix oozed out from the machine all over the floor right after I had cleaned it. It was like an exploding volcano and because I only had a TracPhone at the time, I was unable to snap a video, which makes me sad that it was not documented.

#17: I’m the worst at going grocery shopping because I often times walk out the door with more items than what it is on my list. For example, on Saturday, I went in wanting to buy a donut something for lunch. I left with a donut, macaroni and cheese, pop tarts, cheddar cheese slices, makeup, Swedish fish, Sweet Tart gummy ropes, Dr. Pepper, and a can of the Coke with coffee beverage. By the way, I actually really enjoy the Coke with coffee beverage…go give it a whirl.

#16: I miss the days of Vanna White turning letters and not touching them on Wheel of Fortune.

#15: I dislike the fact that passwords have to be changed so often. I’m also the person that has to click the “forgot password?” like 57840379 times.

#14: My favorite TV show theme is the one from The Brady Bunch.

#13: I have lots of dreams that involve airplanes.

#12: Speaking of airplanes, flying makes me super anxious.

#11: In order to be able to sleep at night, I need to be covered–usually with a cuddly blanket.

#10: Big cracks of thunder still scare me.

#9: On my commute to work last week, I listened to Elle King’s “America’s Sweetheart” on repeat.

#8: I would love to take over for Ellen DeGeneres’ when she ends her talk show next year.

#7: Peppermint mochas and pumpkin spice lattes from Starbucks are always items that I want to get even when they are “not in season.”

#6: I don’t know how to tie a neck tie or bowtie.

#5: I call it ‘soda’ and not ‘pop’ and ‘sprinkles’ and not ‘jimmies.’

#4: The voicemail message on my cell phone tells people to leave a message along with something that they are grateful for.

#3: My favorite holiday tradition in December is the Christmas Eve service.

#2: My least favorite household chore is dusting while my favorite is washing dishes.

#1: The culmination of my Miles 4 Smiles year-long journey will end with me running the equivalent of a full marathon (26.2 miles) around Lancaster County for the first time ever in my life.

Cheers to these final 4 days as a 33 year-old!

Sprinkle sunshine always,

JP!

Well, hello there!

We have reached yet another Monday in the year of 2021!

And we are officially just 10 days away from me turning the big 3-4!

AHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHH!

Anyway, let’s get down to this week’s post, shall we?

There has been so much that has happened in the past week around the world that has me saddened, scared, fearful, nervous…literally all the negative adjectives.

And it got me thinking.

And I was driving through the back roads on the country side of Lititz after the storm Wednesday evening, I had an epiphany moment of what I was going to write about.

So, here goes.

Grab that morning coffee and get ready!

Have you ever thought as you go about your daily life how just simple two words can really pack a punch or make a REALLY big difference in the life of someone?

Two word phrases like “I’m sorry” or “get vaccinated” are ones that seem to be quite prevalent in our lives as we go about living these days.

But the two word phrase that I’m going to touch on this week is…

Thank you.

That’s right.

Thank you.

Two words that can really make the biggest difference in the lives of so many and two words that should be part of our daily vocabulary, but often words that are forgotten about these days.

And as I was driving around looking at the many tree limbs lying on the ground and flood waters after the wrath of Mother Nature during her storm, I started to think about all the people in our lives in this world that we need to extend a thank you too.

So, here goes.

THANK YOU…

-To all the medical and healthcare workers who are fighting on the daily to keep people healthy of all ages, especially during the COVID crisis. They continue to show up for work despite being overworked and exhausted.

-To all the individuals who work at the grocery stores to allow us to continue buying food that nourishes our body and keeps us going.

-To all the individuals who are packing the many packages we purchase in their respective warehouses.

-To all the individuals who deliver above said packages.

-To our families who love us unconditionally even if we drive them crazy.

-To our friends who make us laugh, cry, and that we enjoy spending time with.

-To our faith communities that help us keep worship time alive during these unknown times.

-To the janitorial staffs of buildings that continue to keep all spaces that we encounter on the daily clean, safe, and sanitized.

-To those who drive all modes of public transportation–buses, trains, planes, taxis, Ubers, etc.

-To all the people who work in restaurants that work their butts off to allow us to continue eating tasty food.

-To those who work in gyms and any other fitness aspect that keep us moving, working out our bodies, and striving to keep us healthy humans.

-To the troops who are stationed all across the world who work to keep us safe.

-To police officers who keep an eye on our communities to make sure they are a safe place for all while risking their lives to do so.

-To firefighters who risk their lives every day and battle disasters of all kinds.

-To those who work at the Dunkin’ Donuts that I populate to make sure that I still have the opportunity to get my morning coffee when I need it most.

-To those who work in the arts to make that the elements of live entertainment are still available to everyone.

-To nurses, doctors, and all healthcare professionals whose goal is to keep everyone in life healthy.

-To our coworkers who make getting out of bed in the morning easier and the 8 hour work days fly by!

-To our parents who have offered guidance, support, love, and whatever else we have asked for and needed.

-To our besties who have been there during our best and worst times and have not left our side.

-To the individuals who are responsible for picking up both our trash and recycling on a weekly basis.

-To the teachers who taught us without question about all subjects from math, science, to English and home economics.

-To all of the individuals who have supported me thus far in my Miles 4 Smiles campaign this year.

I could continue to go on and on and list multipe entities that we should all be extending a heart-felt thank you to on the daily. And I’m quite sure I’ve probably forgotten multiple people worthy of the thank you as well from this list.

And as The Golden Girls theme song reminds us…

THANK YOU for being a friend.

Who do you have in your life to thank?

What entities this week will be the recipients of the two simple worlds that can make all the difference.

Who is next on your list to say thank you?

Don’t delay.

These two simple words can make the biggest difference.

Sprinkle sunshine always,

JP!

Well here we are, folks!

Yet another Monday in the year of 2021.

I sincerely hope that you have been enjoying your Summer and doing things you love that keep you happy, smiling, and excited to live life!

And, if you are someone who is struggling with those above adjectives, that is totally fine.

We all have moments of struggling to find joy these days.

Exhausted.

Lost.

Drained.

Fearful.

These seem to be the adjectives that creep into our lives more so these days than ever before.

So, how does one find the smiles, laughter, and joy in life with the negative, dark moments that are constantly thrown at us on the daily?

Well, I certainly am glad you asked! And if you didn’t ask…too bad. I’m going to tell you anyway.

Go grab that Monday morning beverage of choice and cuddle up with your phone and computer and get comfortable because I’m going to share with you some of my favorite YouTube videos to watch that bring smiles to my life and help me experience laughter which is the best medicine.

So, get comfortable and ready to smile and laugh…guaranteed or your money back.

#1: Betty White Bloopers
-She is truly one-of-a-kind and I dare you to not laugh or smile when watching this. She is just so golden.

#2: Sarah Paulson Playing 5 Second Rule With Ellen
-This is such a fun game to play (seriously though–you need to try it) and watching these two play makes it even more fun.

#3: Glee’s version of “I Lived” During Their Series Finale Show
-I admit it. I was a gleek when this show was on air. And their songs are ones that I love and this one is no different.

#4: Disney’s Motivational Video
-No explanation needed here. Disney quotes and movie clips can give us all the feels without fail.

#5: 22 Musicals In 12 Minutes
-I love musicals. Period. And this clip gets me beaming from ear to ear.

#6: Kerry Washington Playing Speak Out With Ellen
-Their laughs kill me. That’s all.

#7: Betty White And Katie Couric
-Coming in hot again with the class act of Betty White and this video is just another reason why I love her so much. If only everyone in this world could share her mindset about life.

#8: Katy Perry’s Firework
-We all know this is still my favorite song to this day. Shocker. But it always puts me in a good mood regardless of what is happening in life. Even a decade after its release and it never gets old for me.

Well, folks.

There you have it.

Some of my favorite videos to watch when I need some extra laughter and smiles in my life aside from The Golden Girls.

I hope you will take some time to watch some of these videos and share with me your favorite ways to experience laughter and smiles in your life.

Finding joy, smiles, and happiness is even more so important these days, so make sure you take a few minutes out of each day to rejuvenate and fill up the laughter tank.

It truly is the best medicine.

Sprinkle sunshine always,

JP!

Happy Monday, folks!

Hard to believe that we have officially entered another month of 2021!

The eight month that is to be exact!

My birthday month to be even more exact where I will be turning the BIG 3-4 on the 27th! AHHHH!

Anyway, this week’s post will be short and sweet because I want to make sure to drive home the moral and point for all of you.

So, please grab your infamous sidekick beverage that you can’t live without on Monday morning, get cozy on the comfiest chair in your habitat, and open those eyes!

As many of you know, The 2021 Olympic Games from Tokyo have been in full swing. Watching events of all sorts with the teammates coming together from all countries can awake such pride and energy within the souls of each and every one of us.

And this past week, we all witnessed Simone Biles–a decorated Olympic and World champion with 35 total medals including 5 from her first Olympic Games in 2016 make a bold, courageous, and brave move to drop out of the competition due to mental health concerns.

Read that again.

“Make a bold, courageous, and brave move to drop out of the competition due to mental health concerns.”

Yes, even world champions who do crazy stunts to wow us have moments where they realize that they need to take care of themselves.

Imagine that.

Mental health doesn’t care what religion you are, what sexuality you are, what your career path is, how old you are, how much money you have, the color of your skin, if you are a decorated Olympian–it affects all of us.

ALL of us.

And with this monumental moment that we witnessed on the TV from Tokyo, we were once again reminded that mental health is a very real concern in our world that needs some very real talk from all of us.

Simone Biles reminded us all again this past week that it is OK to not be OK.

And while I want us to realize the importance of being open and honest about our personal struggles with ourselves and each other, I also want to drive home another important point.

In addition to keeping our mental health at the front of our minds and in a healthy state, we must also make sure that we are taking time to find our own light inside our souls.

What is our passion?

What drives us?

What motivates us?

What gets us out of the bed in the morning?

At the end of the day, if we are not doing something in our lives that is motivating us and bringing us fulfillment, then what’s the point?

Each day when we wake up, we should feel a fiery passion inside ourselves about why we were put on this Earth.

The light that we find inside ourselves is something that we need to let shine for the entire world around us.

Our lights can only make a difference if we keep them safe from burning out.

And how do we do that?

By talking about our mental health.

By being open with ourselves, our hearts, and others.

At the end of the day, we need to remember that we aren’t perfect, can’t be perfect, and that we are human beings whose needs, feelings, and emotions are completely valid.

It’s time to have the crucial conversations about our struggles and to not be afraid.

It’s time to find our light, keep it safe from burning out, and keeping its shine alive and bright.

Let Simone Biles’ moment of truth and courage be an eye opener for all of us.

It is OK to not be OK.

Go.

Find your light and let it shine.

Sprinkle sunshine always,

JP!

Well, hello there friends!

And a very happy Monday to you!

And a very happy official last week of July too!

Yes, you did read that right!

It is the last official week of the seventh month of the year!

WHATTTTTTT?!

Anyway, time to get on to this week’s post.

The past several weeks I have touched on mental health and how important it is for us to be aware of that state of energy in ourselves and how we can intentionally set aside time for ourselves to help recharge that capacity to make sure we are staying healthy—both emotionally and physically.

And this weekend while watching the Olympics, I saw a few commercials from the P&G brand that advertised the slogan, lead with love.

And that slogan stuck with me and from the moment I saw that commercial, I knew that this was exactly what I was going to blog about.

And here we are!

Grab your morning coffee, juice, or whatever side-kick beverage you like to enjoy in the early mornings because here we go!

I promise to keep it short and sweet.

So, how do you lead with love?

Well, here are three simple ways that I lead with love.

I share these with you in hopes that you will be able to lead with love in your life this coming week and the weeks after.

Volunteer at a nonprofit or entity that is near and dear to your heart.

-This is something that is so easy to do these days, especially with all of the locations around the area that are always in need of volunteers with fresh faces to help out. Animal shelters, nursing homes, hospitals, theaters, non-profits–there are so many options, so there is no excuse on not being able to find one that will fulfill your heart. Here is a quick link for those located in Lancaster on some places you can share your energy as a volunteer!

For those not local to the area, just Google “places to volunteer” with your city and you should find some very fast, easy results. And while I technically don’t actually volunteer (at least not at the moment), I am currently running miles and raising funds for a non-profit very close to my heart–The Conner M. Holland Foundation.

Volunteer Opportunities in Lancaster County, PA | LancasterPA.com

Smile at the stranger.

-This is a simple action that can make all the difference. More often than not, we tend to be a world and society that likes to put judgment on others before actually getting to know them. So, knock that mentality out of your brain and start to lead with love by sharing some kindness with the stranger you don’t know.

We have no idea what these people are going through, so who are we to make judgements about them without actually knowing the full story. Exactly. Don’t do it. Be the change and the one who decides to break the status quo by going against the energy of judgment and hatred our society likes to feed upon.

Spend time with family and those you love and make sure you show appreciation for them.

-Once again, this is a very simple action that we can all take in our lives. Last year, during the pandemic and living in isolation through several months of the 2020 year, it became very clear to me that time spent with my family and loved ones was good for my soul. And, living in 2021 with several elements of the pandemic still sprinkled in and learning so much more about my own mental health and what I need to recharge, it has become even more evident to myself that time spent with my family and loved ones is crucial. We need to make sure we are spending time with people who encourage us, support us, motivate us to be the best we can be, make us laugh, make us cry, and know how to comfort us when we are going through tough times.

And on the flip side of this, we need to make sure that we are showing these individuals that we appreciate them and love them. Take that extra moment to say the words to them while you are with them, hug them when you have the moments together, send a text during the week to let them know you are thinking about them, Facetime with them to share some laughs, call them up on the phone to just say hey, or do whatever other little piece of love appreciation action you feel fit.

Well, I told you I was going to be short and sweet this week.

Leading with love is a simple tactic and action that every single one of us can undertake in our daily lives.

There’s no excuse.

NO EXCUSE.

Yes, I’m yelling.

Well, not yelling…more like energetic and passionate word sharing. That’s what we will call it.

We are the ones that can be the hope, the light, the love, the CHANGE this world needs.

So, get out there today, tomorrow, and every day after to lead with love.

Sprinkle sunshine always.

JP!

I bring you yet another week of happy Monday greetings, friends!

As the Summer months continue to fly by, it is quite obvious that I’m not ready for the months ahead, which will include turning 34.

Nothing better than a Summer birthday…

…am I right?!

But like, also 34.

Mmmbyeee.

Anyway, enough talk about 34.

Let’s get on to this week’s post.

Shall we?

Do you have your trusty sidekick beverage with you?

At the moment, as I write this for you, I have a glass of orangeade sitting in front of me upon the coffee table.

It makes me feel like a kid at heart.

And I LOVE it.

Anyway, time to get started.

First off, let’s define a few terms that will help us stay organized and come full circle with this week’s words that you are about to read.

-Depression: A condition of general emotional dejection and withdrawal; sadness greater and more prolonged than that warranted by any objective reason.

-Anxiety: Distress or uneasiness of mind caused by fear of danger or misfortune.

-Turndown service: In the hospitality industry, turndown service refers to the practice of staff entering a guest’s room and “turning down” the bed linen of the bed in the room, preparing the bed for use. In addition, turndown service can include staff closing draperies, playing soft music, adjusting lights, etc.

Now, how am I going to tie all of these together?

Well, I can honestly say that I’m SO GLAD you asked.

I know I am not the only one who has started to see the entities of depression and anxiety creep into our vocabulary and daily lives more often these days, especially after what we all went through in 2020.

It was tough.

It sucked.

It drained a lot of emotional and physical capacity from us.

And some of us are still struggling with the effects.

And you know what?

That’s ok.

Mental health these days is so important and we need to make sure we are talking about it and not brushing it under the carpet.

Under the carpet is for dust only, not emotions and feelings that we need to make sure we are expressing freely without hate or judgment.

I’ve been so much more aware of my mental health, my mental health capacity limits, my mental health exhaustion and what causes it, and honoring the process that I personally need to make sure I continue to follow through in order to make sure I’m staying recharged and at my best ready to take on the world in all capacities as Mr. Sunshine.

For most of you, it comes as no shocker that I love to be busy.

And I mean BUSY.

This means waking up before 7am almost everyday including weekends.

This means working a part time job 10-15 hours a week, working a full-time job for 40 hours Tuesday-Saturday, being Music Director at my church, holding the position of secretary for our church council, personal training twice a week, running 3-4 miles everyday while trying to raise funds for a local nonprofit, volunteering time as either an actor or stage manager for EPAC, writing this weekly blog, and whatever other fun entities might get a spot on the calendar in the planner.

Feeling tired?

Well, WAKE UP!

Time to grab another coffee!

But among this very busy lifestyle that I love and thrive upon, I have become more aware of my limitations and listening to my body when it is exhausted.

And sometimes that means taking a nap, enjoying a weekend away from all duties, coloring in the comfort of my home, watching some Golden Girls, or hanging out with wonderful friends.

And this is where turndown service comes into play.

This past weekend, I took some time off my worn duties at Webstaurantstore and church to enjoy some time with my good friend, Abby. We enjoyed some time poolside at Woodridge Swim Club, a delicious dinner at Lombardo’s in Lancaster, and a last minute trip to McLean, Virginia where we enjoyed delicious food at Founding Farmers, a glorious stay at The Ritz-Carlton including turndown service, some over-stimulating crowd watching at MGM Resorts and Casino, and some very beautiful views and food truck burgers from CaliBurger at Great Falls Park.

It was glorious.

And it was the perfect recharge necessary to combat the mental exhaustion from the week.

As a person who is busy almost all the time, these moments are extra special because they are few and far between, so when I have the chance to experience them, I make sure to relish in every moment of them.

This past week, I also got to spend some one-on-one time with my bestie Devin that was incredibly needed for both of us. It was just very special and something I didn’t realize how much I needed until I was in the moment laughing hysterically, and catching up about everything life.

And on Tuesday night, I got to have dinner with my former roommate girls Missy, Elyse, and Marissa. It was just like old times as we enjoyed each other’s company and shared stories about each other to laugh, catch up, and reminisce. And once again, it wasn’t something I realized that I needed until I was in the moment experiencing it.

So, what’s this all to say?

All of these words that I’ve written this week for you are to say this:

Find your own version of “turndown service” and enjoy every moment of it.

Be intentional about planning your time to recharge.

Be intentional about planning moments with people you love as part of your recharge.

And remember to talk about your mental health.

Share your feelings.

Stop brushing the words of anxiety and depression under the carpet.

It’s ok to not be ok.

Sprinkle sunshine always,

JP!

Good Monday morning, folks!

Isn’t it crazy that we are in the final week of June and that we will be celebrating the start of a new month in just a few days?!

Like, are you SERIOUS right now?!

I’ve been saying it constantly, but Christmas is literally tomorrow.

But seriously the Fourth of July is tomorrow.

And that actually isn’t a joke.

That means…

FIREWORKS!

And lots and lots of social media stories playing Katy Perry’s “Firework” as background music because that is just the right thing to do.

DUH.

Anyhoo, let’s move on to this week’s post.

Just kidding.

One more side note.

I’m currently house and dog sitting and the two doggies (Winston and Porky) are snoring on the floor in front of the fireplace in their respective beds. And it is the cutest thing ever.

Okay, now on to this week’s post for real.

Quick!

Grab your morning coffee beverage!

Many of you already know; however, this year has been quite the big undertaking for me as I embarked on a year-long journey to try and run 1,310 miles (equivalent of 50 marathons) and raise $20,000 for The Conner M. Holland Foundation.

And in just 3 more days, we are officially closing the book on Month 6-also known as the halfway point.

Yes, you did read that correctly.

THE HALFWAY POINT.

It is insane to think that I have been running miles and trying to fundraise money since January 4th.

And many of you reading this post (and my weekly posts) have been a huge part of that endeavor and I can’t thank you enough for all of the continued support and love (emotionally, physically, and financially) within these past 6 months and for all of the continued support and love within those entities to come in the next 6 months.

As of this post writing (which I’m doing at 9:52pm), we currently stand at 633.8 miles clocked and $7,914 raised!

And for those who didn’t see, there is an anonymous donor who is matching donations up to a total of $1,000 from now until June 30th!

That means the halfway point of $10,000 is SO close.

WOO!

Yesterday on my run in the hot as balls heat, I took a tumble and skinned my right knee.

Literally been running since January 4th almost every single day and have never fallen.

I guess it was bound to happen.

But honestly, I made it look super graceful.

And right after I did it, I got right back up, went over to a nearby tree and started to stretch and pretending for any people who might have seen me to make it look like I had planned to do that fall.

We’ve all done that moment where we pretend to the be on the cell phone when we really are just to get out of a sticky situation…

…And I know I’m not the only one who has experienced this.

But what is the moral of the story and the positive piece of advice I am to leave you with before the end of the words I’m writing for you this week?

Well, here goes.

We always have a choice.

In every day of our lives, every minute, every second.

And when I took a tumble on the sidewalk yesterday, I had a choice.

The choice to either stay down on the ground and pout about the pain…

OR

The choice to get up and keep going.

And I of course chose the second option.

The BIG question is will YOU choose the second option?

What encourages you to make that second choice?

What drives you and keeps you going?

What gets you to keep going after falling down and skinning your knee?

Think about it.

You always have a choice.

Sprinkle sunshine always,

JP!

Hey Folks!

Can you believe that we are experiencing another Monday?!

Can you also believe that we are experiencing the end of June already?!

Doesn’t it feel like it was just yesterday when we were welcoming in the new year watching the ball from Times Square to signify the start of 2021?!

Anyhoo, in case you needed to know, the date is Monday, June 21st and we are in fact almost halfway through the year of 2021.

That means that we will be experiencing the holidays of July 4th, Labor Day, Halloween, Thanksgiving, and Christmas like tomorrow.

Are you ready?

Because I’m certainly not.

Well, enough backstory.

Let’s get to this week’s blog post.

For anyone who has followed me on social media, is friends with me, or has experienced me in person throughout the years knows that I am someone who is on the go, go, GO!

Don’t believe me?!

Call my cell phone and listen to my voicemail because I literally say “go, go, go” in my greeting to you if I don’t answer.

I’ve always been the person with the planner JAM PACKED full with anything and everything.

And if you don’t believe me about that…just ask me to give you the visual the next time you see me because my planner is no joke.

It is even color coded.

BELIEVE IT.

It’s like the Bible for what we will call Mr. Sunshine’s morning life, afternoon life, evening life, and social life.

And along with this color-coded, jam packed calendar comes the fact that I dip my feet into a lot of different activities.

A full-time Account Manager working 40 hours per week, a part-time customer service auditor working between 10-12 hours a week, a stage manager responsible for multiple elements of an award-winning play, seeing a personal trainer twice a week, running between 3-4 miles everyday trying to raise $20,000 for a local charity…and the list goes on an on.

So I won’t continue to bore you with that.

So, what’s this all to say?

Well, before we get to that point, it’s time to take a coffee break and refill your cup if you haven’t already done so.

All set?

Great.

Let’s continue on.

Oh, and don’t forget the cream and sugar!

The topic of mental health is one that I have never really dived into personally or talked about that much in my years on this Earth; however, it is one topic that has started to become a forefront discussion for many individuals in this world (including me), especially since 2020 where we were forced to live in isolation due to a global pandemic.

And this past week, for the first time in a long time, I felt like the walls were closing in on me.

My body was screaming at me telling me I was doing too much and that it needed a break.

So, you know what?

I listened to it.

Something that I’m not always great at.

Something that I’m constantly always trying to evolve and improve upon.

I took some much-needed PTO from my full-time job, relaxed and gave myself a “brain break” from work and other obligations, and actually took a nap to rest my body—something that I haven’t done for months.

Speaking of naps, can we just talk about how GLORIOUS they are? Even if they are just for a short 20 minutes.

Absolutely glorious.

You should try it.

Do people think I’m crazy for doing so much in my life?

Yes, they do.

Do I think that I’m crazy for doing so much in my life sometimes?

Yes, I do.

But the difference is that the many hats I wear in my life are all ones that make me feel fulfilled and bring overflowing joy to my soul that I work hard to share with others.

And while it might mean that I don’t get to see some friends for an extended period of time or get to hit up the bars for that refreshing, adult cocktail, it does mean that those moments when they happen for me are even more special and thrilling.

Will I ever change or become someone who can’t be on the go, go, GO?

That is up for debate.

Actually, it is the million dollar question.

Would you believe that I’m thinking about adding another hat to the mix?

Don’t believe me, ask the dishes!

Sorry—I had to throw in some type of Disney reference.

But until that day when the question can be answered–and maybe it never will be–I implore each and everyone of you to listen to your body.

Learn from my mistakes of not always hearing it when it is screaming for that moment to slow down and rest.

And don’t forget that mental health NEEDS to be talked about.

It is not something that we should be ashamed of or feel guilty about.

It is a very real feeling in a very real world that needs some very real attention.

Until next week friends.

Sprinkle sunshine always,

JP!

Well, folks!

It is time to wish you yet another happy Monday as we creep toward the middle of June!

Can you believe it?!

We are literally just a week away from the official start of Summer and just a few weeks away from July 4th, which I was always told symbolizes the halfway mark of Summer.

Like, is that for REAL?!

2021 is FLYING by.

Like mmmbyeee.

Anyway, this week’s post will be short and sweet.

Promise.

Cross my heart.

It’s hard to believe that a year ago, we were still living in the confusion and isolation of quarantine.

And during that quarantine, I lost something in my life that I have always been passionate about.

The theater.

And this week, that all changes.

LIVE theater is back at the Ephrata Performing Arts Center and I couldn’t be more EXCITED.

Why, yes.

EXCITED is in all caps.

And what makes it even more special is that the production that is starting off the first, full official LIVE show with an audience since 2020 is Boys in the Band which ties in perfectly for pride month.

I’m having the humble opportunity stage managing this production whilst working with some of the most incredibly talented individuals as both a cast and production crew.

And these boys that are performing their hearts out with these characters of this beautifully written piece are just so incredible.

What makes them even more incredible and amazing is the fact that they have put up with my sassy queen attitude for the past month and a half during the rehearsal process.

“Learn your lines, bitches! Set your props! Get your life together.”

These are actual quotes from my mouth that these actors have heard me say.

Mr. Sunshine runs a tight ship with some rumbles of thunder, so WATCH OUT.

I promise it is all out of love though.

And I wouldn’t want it any other way. These boys are just so good.

SO GOOD.

Yes.

All caps again.

The theater is a rewarding and fulfilling outlet and passion of mine and the fact that it is starting to come back to a pre-pandemic normalcy for the most is emotional to say the least.

These boys are ready to make you laugh, cry, and tug at every single heart string in your soul.

And every night, without fail, they have done just that.

It doesn’t matter that I’ve seen it 1006839 times.

So, please make your way to Ephrata Performing Arts Center for this production.

Celebrate the arts.

Celebrate the return of LIVE theater.

Celebrate pride.

I promise you won’t be disappointed.

Boys in the Band runs June 17th-26th. Please make sure to check out ephrataperformingartscenter.com for more information about tickets and show times.

Sprinkle sunshine always,

JP!