Learn To Laugh Your Way Through It...And Have A Little Faith, Too...

It's been a crazy week. Lots of high highs, and low lows. However, my sister and I were talking recently--and not about anything funny, but we both just busted up laughing...hysterically. The subject was tragic, but in that moment we were able to find something in it that we could laugh about (maybe we get this from being nurses--who knows). We collectively agreed that if we couldn't laugh about it, we would break down into tears like blubbering idiots.

This is kind of like my life right now. The other night I was at work. I have been going through a rough time (with family circumstances/relationships), but I just needed a moment to stop focusing on that. I was talking with one of the docs, and my nursing coworkers, and I was going off (comedy-wise, I have a tendency to do this. I like entertaining people (not in an attention whore way)...hence, the blog). I had them all laughing so hard that the doctor was begging me to stop, and saying she couldn't take it anymore. Then she told me I needed to get out of nursing and into stand-up comedy.

I'm not quitting my night job, but it made me think. At the base of all good comedy has to be reality. Sometimes that reality is not good--it's tragic. However, if you don't find a bright spot in it, it will drag you down, and keep you down. You have to be able to laugh your way through some of this life. There is a time, and a place for it, but it has to be there--and it has to be stronger than the crap that is pulling you down. It has to sustain you.

This week brought some finality to my life. I've closed a chapter that I questioned even opening to begin with--one that I should've maybe done a bit more of a cost/benefit analysis on. I'm still not sure how to feel about it. You have to take some risks in life, but sometimes I wish some of mine were more calculated, and measured.

I have been looking back with some regret--which is probably stupid, because it won't erase choices I've made, or undo the current circumstances. The choice is now to move on, and to not look back anymore. And it is the only choice. And that is OK.

So why did J.C. make an appearance in my meme of choice this week? Because there have been a lot of prayers being shot up in His direction from my heart/head. If I had to go through this by myself, I'm not sure I could laugh my way out of it. However, when you have a rockstar who has your back, the odds are way better that you will prevail. 

I have felt like I'm bailing out a sinking ship with a straw for a long time. Then God swoops in with buckets, and a big piece of chewing gum to plug up the hole. It was a good reminder that He's not going to leave me here, and that I'm not going through this by myself.

Over the past few weeks it has become very clear that when God closes one door, He opens windows...and sometimes enough windows to get a good cross-breeze to let you catch your breath, and know that everything is going to be OK. Until those windows open in your life, learn to laugh a little--or a lot.

I did not find this meme at all blasphemous. I'm pretty sure Jesus laughed at this meme, too. ;)

:) CHEERS :)

Surf The Waves...

Life is so funny. It just brings this overwhelming feeling sometimes--and you don't know how to handle it.

When I moved to California, I was so excited to surf whenever I wanted. However, I had only surfed Hanalei Bay in Hawaii prior (reference above pic).

 I fell in love with surfing. It became a passion of mine--a passion that I still struggle to be good at (because I'm not that good). It is so irritating sometimes--I just want to get good.

Cali brought on new waves. New ass-pounding waves (in many areas of my life). They are so unpredictable here. I can't believe the surf reports I read on surfline.com. Trying to predict waves is like trying to predict the weather--it's a bunch of crap.

The struggle is real. Cali is so different. I still don't care. I still strap my board to the car, and go. I will eventually figure this out.

 It is so humbling to be out there--and some of these waves are BIG. They kick my butt. They toss me, and hurt me, and challenge me. But I keep going out. And I won't stop. When I catch them--it's like the biggest high ever. EVER.

I had my twins out here a couple of weeks ago. I paddled out with one of them through the impact zone, and she kinda freaked out. She ended up going back to shore. My other kiddo paddled out with me, battled the impact zone, and had a great sense of humor on the other side of it. She was like, "OMG--MOM!!! Those waves were HUGE!!! I was laughing so hard about getting pounded that I thought I was going to choke on the saltwater!!!" 

We were on the other side of the impact zone and sitting on our boards (and we were FAR away from the beach), she said, "Mom, do you think there are sharks out here?" I said, "Of course there are sharks out here!!! This is where they live!!!! This is their home! and we're trying to surf in it!!!" She said, "MOM!!! Lie to me!!!" At that point, we both cracked up, and just enjoyed the moment. Then I tried to paddle into a couple big waves and she was yelling at me. She said, "MOM! What the hell!?! Do you think you're Laird Hamilton (pro big wave surfer)?!? 

I don't think I'm Laird. However, if you are going to fight your way out to the waves, you might as well try to charge them. It's a lot like life--if your're going to fight your way through, you might as well see what's at the end of it--even if you get tossed. At least you paddled in.

Let Go...

There is such power in release. 

Let go.

If it is too big for you--LET IT GO.

Feel the freedom in ultimate submission.

It is the most overwhelming feeling of peace you will ever obtain.

I Think I Need To Do This...

Can we make it Hawaii, tacos, and champagne instead? And for the love of God, can we take the apostrophe out of that word "tacos"? It doesn't make them plural.

This Song Touches My Core. RISE by Katy Perry

There really are no words for how this song touches me. I feel it in the depths of my soul. The timing for this song could not be more perfect for my life.

Favorite part of the lyrics (besides EVERY ONE OF THEM):

When, when the fire's at my feet again

And the vultures all start circling

They're whispering, "You're out of time."

But still, I rise

This is no mistake, no accident

When you think the final nail is in; think again

Don't be surprised, I will still rise.

I hope every person has that part inside of them that, no matter how completely obliterated your world feels, there is that strength to not only rise up, but in such a way that you are exponentially stronger than you were before you were deconstructed.

I must stay conscious
Through the madness and chaos
So I call on my angels
They say...

Oh, ye of so little faith
Don't doubt it, don't doubt it
Victory is in your veins
You know it, you know it
And you will not negotiate
Just fight it, just fight it
And be transformed...

#katyperry   #rise

Because Life Is Short...

It's been a rough patch, but I have finally rallied. I'm tired of being sad, having regrets, and overthinking my life.

 I read some of my older blogs (and by older, I mean--"Old As Moses' Toes Older"...like 5 years ago old), and I realize the magnitude of the stupid cycle I've been stuck in for years (because nothing can change unless you change it). I even deleted some of them because they aren't worth anyone on the planet wasting their time reading. 

This week (and in recent weeks), and after numerous conversations with amazing friends, I realized how much time I've flushed down the toilet with my life, and I GOT BACK OUT THERE. Where is there? LA. CALI. CA. I'm in the city of nightlife, fun, and the highlife. So yes, I took the leap. And it was worth it.

Tonight (and in the recent weeks), I realized how much fun it is to date again. And flirt again. Tonight was (a new) date night. It was fun, refreshing, and it felt amazing to feel AmAzInG again.

Don't waste your time. Life is still willing to happen for you--if you let it.

:) CHEERS :)

(post-date night photo from tonight--it was a good hair day--praise Jesus!)

Thought For The Day 07.15.16

I had a discussion with a good friend last night. She said her grandmother told her, "Women leave a relationship because they get hurt, upset, or angry. Men leave a relationship because they already had somewhere else to go."

Grandma was a smart woman.