Have You Had to Have a Day?

So what about having a day?

The last month or so I began to question what I am doing (as far as the blog is concerned) and whether it is something I should keep going.  I haven’t written anything to post since June when writing about PTSD.  I felt those two posts had purpose – to share about PTSD.  By sharing my memories, my intent was to share hope about overcoming.  But now what?

That was a tough month because of the subject matter as well as another writing task concerning my Dad.  So June and July were tough emotionally for those reasons as well as hearing about and seeing all the things happening in our local community, in this country, and around the world.  What could I possibly have to say right now that would be of any interest unless I address the issues that are foremost on the news and minds of people?  I can’t just continue to write and post about my everyday world, my family, my past, my memories, what made me happy this month, or the book that helps me escape the realities of our world. 

Or can I?

Isn’t it the everyday tasks, occurrences, challenges, and people around us what keeps us sane and able to get up every morning to face the day?  Would I be discounting the very things that keep us living as “normal” as possible (whatever that my look like right now) if I try to write/post something that doesn’t have to do with our societal controversies, social media discrepancies and falsehoods, political rhetoric, public educational obstacles, and COVID-19?  Do people right now need to hear/read more about the normal activities of life and ideas about how to keep going?  I am expressing my heart here because I have been struggling with this since my last two posts. 

Breakdown Day

Last week I had a major breakdown or episode of despair or all-consuming feeling of hopelessness.  Or all three, perhaps?  I am a planner, I am a dreamer, and I am an optimist the majority of the time.  I want to believe in the goodness of people, I want to believe that we are all going to be okay, I want to believe that truth and justice and honor and compassion will prevail. But last week, I did not.  I won’t give the details as to why, but I know that I am not the only one.  And so I questioned, why bother to plan, to hope, to expect anything?

Help

I subscribe to Maria Shriver’s Sunday Paper.  In the August 2 edition, she wrote:  

Plans and 2020 just don’t seem to be on the same page, do they? Earlier this week, I posted a quote on social media that addressed people’s sadness and gave them permission not to feel pressured to have a “good day,” but to simply “have a day”… free of plans, to do’s, and expectations. I said it’s OK not to expect to have a “good day.” It’s also OK not to be great, or even OK. After all, we are living in unprecedented times, right?

The overwhelming response to the quote took me aback. It made me realize yet again that so many of us need a break and some relief, even if it’s simply being told you don’t have to have a great day and that you are allowed to simply “have a day.”

After all, there is a lot to absorb, a lot to process, and a lot to manage in any given day, so taking away the pressure of it has to also make for a good day in its own way. Trying to feel great is just one big thing we can all take off our plate. 

Have a Day

So that’s what I did.  I gave myself permission to “have a day”.  And I am okay. I have so much in my life, and I am so very grateful for the life I have.  But, I just needed to “have a day” and recognize that there is so much uncertainty in life, but all we can really control is our small sphere of existence and how we choose to live.  And even that is challenging in the time we are living right now.  Of course it is not that simplistic, but I hope you understand what I mean.  Everybody has something they are facing.  Every. Damn. Day.  So, please be kind, be supportive and be willing to listen. Be willing to set aside time if you just need to “have a day”.

This blog is supposed to be a lifestyle blog and creative outlet.  That is the purpose.  Not to persuade, debate, report, but to simply express ideas about life and share creative pieces. There are plenty of other avenues of reading or hearing about the events mentioned above. I will not change anyone’s mind about their views or positions on various issues, so I do not plan to address any of them here.  I have my views and core beliefs on each of those as does everyone else.  After acknowledging that now, I can move on and simply share.  People can choose whether to read or not.

Going Forward

So I will not change the focus of this blog. I will keep writing for the blog and for my other projects.  The quote I wrote on my monthly calendar for August is by Eugene Delecroix, found in The Artist’s Way, page 182.  I would alter it to say “what moves men and women of genius”, but it does serve to encourage writers, especially, to keep going:

“What moves men of genius, or rather what inspires their work, is not new ideas, but their obsession with the idea that what has already been said is still not enough.”  Eugene Delecroix (AW, p. 182).

Stay safe everyone.  Be kind to each other. Be supportive and understanding. Have a day if you need. And, thanks for reading.