I hope that everyone who celebrates had a wonderful Christmas that was what you wanted it to be, whether that is a small, quiet celebration, or a large and noisy gathering. And, for those facing hard times (and there are so many, these days, who are), I hope that you were able to find some light and comfort these past few days.
Thinking of those hard times, I feel like I need to acknowledge that the world is very heavy right now, for many people. I try not to get too political on this blog, and I’m going to do my best to avoid that now. What I will say, though, is that my heart is hurting for so many, and that I am wishing for peace for the new year.
That said, the last week has had a few bright spots that have lifted my spirits in what can be a rather chaotic season (particularly when paired with a draconian semester schedule this year…). There were some interesting snafus in there, too, but each of the last 5 or so days has brought a smile to my face for various reasons.
There was the Wednesday lunch that I had with a work friend, preceded by a random 30 minute discussion with said friend and another colleague. These are 2 of my favorite people at work, but we rarely get to just catch up on (mostly) work-related things. This led into a takeout lunch from Jimmy John’s with one of them, where we caught up on life and things on our shared list of “work stuff”, and I was reminded of the joy of a sandwich. This is so goofy, but… I rarely order sandwiches. I don’t know why – I am just more of a “salad for lunch” person. Friends, that little sandwich was such a bright spot in my day.
The next day included a therapy session, during which I recounted some of the month’s bright spot, making that session a bright spot in its own right. 🙂
Friday, though, had a snafu followed almost immediately by one of the brightest spots of the week. I did a drive up order at Target shortly after they opened (the only way I can tolerate Target right before the holidays…), and the lovely Target person put the two bags in the trunk. I went home, had a relatively good day of work, and…realized at 5 pm that I had left the bags in the car all day. Including a container of cottage cheese. (Cue forehead slap.) So, yeah, that’s $3.50 down the drain. But then! I got a random text from my college roomie, checking my advice, which led to a 30-minute text exchange, an update on her kids, and an invitation to come visit them this summer. Which I am seriously considering. That alone would have been a bright spot sufficient to light the whole weekend. Never underestimate the power of reaching out on someone else’s day/life.
And Saturday brought lunch with an old friend in the area, during which I laughed as hard as I have laughed in, well, months. I needed that lunch, and that time. It just continued the bright into another day.
So yes, there are bits of brightness out there. I’m glad I’m finally recognizing them a bit more, and realizing just how much of a difference they make. And, how much I can do to make that happen. So, yes, I need to schedule the lunch. Respond to the text. Take advantage of random encounters that leave me with a smile for the entire afternoon. A good lesson to take into 2024.
I’ll just leave you with a Charlie Mackesy quote from Instagram (he wrote The boy, the mole, the fox, and the horse, which, if you are wondering, is one of the most heart-touching books I have read, although reviews, of course vary…):
“What are your favorite things?” “Cake and hope,” said the mole. “Hope is the whisper that tells us there’s a light, even in the darkest tunnels.”
I hope you can find a bit of light these days.
I love your story about the cottage cheese. So basically for three dollars and fifty cents you got a new adventure. I would say that is a pretty good deal! I am glad that you are looking at the bright side of things and it sounds like you are having a lot of good meet ups with friends right now, which is always a balm for the soul. Helen Keller said that, “”Optimism is the faith that leads to achievement. Nothing can be done without hope and confidence.”
It’s still a potential adventure, depending on schedules, but gosh, I hope I can make it happen! And yes, I often am reluctant to venture out for meet ups (see: introvertiest introvert), but these were so, so worth it. Love that Helen Keller quote! That’s a new one for me.
I know that book! I love that book! I look through it when I need a lift, or a change in perspective. His illustrations are amazing, too. Thank you for sharing about your bright spots 🙂
You know, I don’t often take that book off the shelf to dive into its wisdom, and I should, for sure. I follow him on Instagram, which is where I found this quote. He’s such a light in the world. We need those right now…
Happy Christmas! Do you get much of a break or do you have to start back up again ASAP? I hope you do get to take some time for yourself and step away from the news.
Nope. No break. Sigh. Are you off this week, even though you just started?
I am taking a bit of time for myself to do… well, everything that gets pushed off during the semester. (Today: donation drop-off and long-overdue COVID booster. Fun?)
I’m going to email you about finding a time for me to venture to your campus. Hopefully it will align with a time when you are around!
That was lovely to read about the things and events that made life happier for you!
There’s so much we can do to discover the good things happening around us. Simply enjoying life will be my own focus for 2024!
I’m trying to figure out my focus for 2024, Susanne, and leaning towards “Look Up”. This year, it was “Engage”, and despite some setbacks (like my 2 cancelled work trips thanks to health issues…), I do think I connected a bit more. I’m still not where I probably *should* be, but I’m closer. But I’ve spent so much of the last 2 years truly tethered to my computer and work, despite that, and I think that “looking up” from my laptop will do me, my body, and my mind a lot of good. Can’t wait to read more (eventually, when you come back to the blog? if you come back to the blog? I’ve been wondering…?) about how you are finding the good. <3
YES I’m definitely coming back to the blog! I’m over the “I don’t know what to do with the blog” stuff, but I’ve been busy and a bit off lately and I’m also been playing with a new theme design plugin and it always look like ***** before it’s ready. That’s the only reason for the maintenance mode! I think “looking up” sounds like a great concept. My go-with-the-flow concept may be a bit lazy but it’s also something I really need. I have a post prepared as a 2023 recap but I’m working hard to not focus too much on the negatives… because there was too much of it. But I’ll publish it asap.
You mentioned a while ago something from my blog didn’t show up on your feed reader? Do you receive my updates recently? I’ve been boring on the blog but I have posted for the fitness link-up.
For real? My Feedly says your blog (https://susanne.ie) is “unreachable”, even though it’s not. The last post that shows up in my feed was from… early October. Are you using a sub-URL for the fitness link ups? (I’ve seen you commenting on Jenny’s posts, so I figured you were posting, but couldn’t figure out why they aren’t coming through!?)
You had a year filled with so many challenges, but every. single. time. you pulled yourself up and went back at it, whatever “it” was. Strength. Walking. Gym time. Connecting with friends. And “go with the flow” is harder than it sounds – not lazy at all!!!! Can’t wait to see more rambles around Ireland and photos, always the photos. 🙂
If you knew how much your comments about me having grit inspired me. I’ve never saw myself like that and I always wanted to be that person. When I look back, I can see that you were right. It’s been such a hard year. Here I am kicking ass in the gym again and walking 8k (and counting).
I’m really annoyed about the RSS problem (apparently only with Feedly and after some searching, it appears they don’t give a **** about breaking people’s feeds). But I have an ambitious plan to fix it, I’ll let you know.
I think sometimes it’s easier for others to see things about us than it is for us to see it in ourselves, if that makes sense. I know I am like this, too. Is it related to confidence/self-confidence? I don’t know. But I do know that when others point things like this out to me, I’m often surprised by their comments. You have so much grit! I’m glad you’re starting to realize that, even in hindsight. 🙂
Susanne, ust FYI: I had problems with my blog not showing up in Feedly for 6 months until I figured out that a third-party security company that was used by my hosting service “blocked” Feedly pollers from accessing my blog. It took a lot of run around to get it fixed and it was nothing that Feedly could fix (but I did get a very nice guy from Feedly help me out communicating the problem to my hosting company).
Thanks, San! Blog readers helping other blog readers…with blog readers. 😉
Hi San, that’s interesting! I think I solved my problem for now (at least I believe Feedly interrupted the feed either because I was switching theme templates or that I temporarily had switched off the RSS) but I was about to contact you to hear how you solved it! How nice that Feedly helped you with this – I read a few articles about people not receiving any help from them so I got sceptical they would care about it.
Oh, that quote got me at the end <3 and, I'm not even a cake person!
Finding those small bright spots when everything seems so dark and heavy can be incredibly challenging; sometimes, I get so caught up in even small bumps in the road that I miss so much joy (like your catchup with your friend!). Here's to both of us finding more bright spots in the future (and sharing them)!!
I feel like we should have a bright spots challenge, or perhaps an accountability group. I tend to be an Eeyore, particularly in my work life. One friend is usually the one who talks me back off the ledge, but I wish I were able to look for the good to try to pull myself back. And yes to missing the joy that comes – like you, I sometimes look right past it, and focus on the negative that’s just behind it. Sigh. Here’s to both of us brightening our days and lives in 2024!
I would LOVE a bright spots challenge/group. I absolutely notice the crappy stuff more. When I cam home from Whole Foods, I left a gallon of milk next to the heater in the laundry room all day— it was hidden by a coat LOL/head desk
I think we need one, particularly for those of us who focus on the (replace with specific instance of crap, e.g., now-spoiled gallon of milk) instead of the good stuff. I’m a ruminator, too – my mind will dredge up an ancient worry and then turn it over and over and over and… you get the point. I usually don’t set goals, but maybe one of mine should be to post a bright spots post every couple of weeks (every week might be a lot… :>). Also? I did an Amazon return yesterday and OMG, that place is overwhelming. Good grief. I usually don’t go midday but had to yesterday and (insert emoji with exploding brain).
Oh man, if it helps, I have done that thing where I forget about a certain purchase that needs to be refrigerated. Once, it was an entire container of eggs. NOT FUN. But it happens! I am glad you’re finding the bright spots in the midst of the craziness. Connection is one of my big themes for 2024 and I want to do a better job of reaching out and making plans with friends IRL. It’s a hard thing to do sometimes!
Thank you, that does help. 🙂 (So was finding out that Sarah, who seems to navigate life with 5 kids more smoothly than I manage my life of…me, has left refrigerated items out, too.)
The bright spots got a bit harder to find this week (*sigh*) but I know I need to at least TRY. Perhaps that’s how I approach this in 2024? Ponder, ponder.
Connection is a great theme, isn’t it? I realized this morning that I haven’t replied to 2 texts this week from people who are important to me, so I need to get on that. Perhaps when it’s a bit later, and more normal people are awake. 🙂
At least, the cottage cheese didn’t spill into your car on a hot summer day (I had that happen with milk once – do not recommend). 😉
I really love that you’re focusing on the bright spots, Anne. You’ll be surprised how much your own attitude can change things.
Oh, wow, yuck. That is… yeah, that’s worse than the (still packaged but definitely NOT good) cottage cheese. The lettuce, unsurprisingly, was fine.
I did well with the bright spots last week but oh, this week I was a catastrophizer extraordinaire. I think I have to post about it to hold myself accountable, and then seek out one or two bright spots (because there were… a few).