It’s Okay Not To Be Okay

I used to be an extremely negative person but I’ve learned to find light in any situation. 

That being said, I have my moments when I may feel afraid or overwhelmed and I get mad at myself for feeling that. But then I remember that I am human and it’s okay to not to be 

okay. 

Taking a moment to cry doesn’t mean that I’m going back to my negative Nancy mindset. It took me a long time to learn that crying doesn’t equate to defeat. Crying actually means that I’m strong enough to be vulnerable and release my current truth. 

There’s a balance between allowing your emotions to take control and suppressing your emotions in order to avoid them. I’ve been at both ends and I’m making my way down town to middle ground and I’m home bound. 

Checking In 

There is an app called calm that provides many helpful resources for your mind. Meditation, Mental Fitness workouts, and mood check ins. 

There is a section titled, “How are you feeling?” After you select the feeling, you can go into a bit more detail as to why you feel this way. 

I wanted to share that because we live in a world of many unintentional greetings that automatically include, “How are you?” To which we tend to automatically respond to with, “I’m fine thanks.” 

It’s nice to ask how someone is doing but the truth is, that in most cases we are not prepared to hold the weight of what they may be carrying and I think that’s because our own load is too heavy on it’s own. 

In prayer, I begin with gratitude for all of the trillion things to be grateful for and if I feel a burden I express it. That expression isn’t always as honest and detailed as it should be in order for me to really get everything off of my chest. 

So, even before prayer it’s important to be aware of how you really feel. 

I cannot help but think of Job and David from the Bible. Man, they REALLY expressed themselves in detail to God. They had INCREDIBLE emotional intelligence. 

Here’s one of my favorite things that Job said in the midst of his pain : 

“Therefore I will not restrain my mouth; I will speak in the anguish of my spirit; I will complain in the bitterness of my soul” 

His horrible friends were trying to get him to stop talking and Job said LEAVE ME ALONE YOU BAFOONS LOL 

I will definitely wait in line to meet Job in heaven. 

Here’s one of my favorite things that David said in the midst of his pain : 

“I am poured out like water, and all of my bones are out of joint; my heart is like wax; it is melted within my breast” 

DAVID WAS A POET Y’ALL! - I will definitely be one of the first people at his meet & greet in heaven. 

These guys were pros at checking in with their emotions. 

If we desire complete release and restoration of joy? We cannot afford to spare one single detail. So, do what you have to do to reach your truth whether it’s the mood check in on the calm app, meditation, journaling or full on ranting like my Job/David. 

Mindfulness 

• Taking a short walk while you point out the details of the trees, the sidewalk, the color of the sky.
• Taking 5 minutes to sit in your living room to simply appreciate the feeling of being there. 
• Asking yourself if everything is okay within you and waiting a few minutes incase anything rushes to the surface.
• Trying to name every ingredient in your dinner instead of swallowing it whole without chewing (I’m a work in progress) 

There is nothing more powerful than being right here. 

Right now. 

In this moment. 

The present has everything that we need. 

What are some different ways you practice mindfulness? Let me know in the comments!

No More Hiding 

One go my favorite souls on planet earth is Steffany Gretzinger. She was giving a conference and told people in the church that they should stop to get all of their crap out of their system before they start trying to go straight into a beautifully worded praises.  

• No more hiding behind religion. 
• No more hiding behind the church. 
• No more hiding behind social media.
• No more checking instagram before you check yourSELF.
• No more empty beautiful praises when you’re full of crap.
• No more suppressing tears to feel strong.

Take care of your mind, soul and spirit my friends. 

Especially during this time when we are all adjusting to a new normal. 

Take at least 5 minutes each day to check in with your emotions, practice mindfulness and pray. 

some days look like this

some days look like this 

& that's okay! 

We're in this thing called life together. 

Let's grow. 

It's Blooming Season :)