8 weeks of quarantine and I am so sick and tired of......
How are you doing, dear one?!
I can't believe we have are in our 8th week of the quarantine. EIGHT WEEKS. At first, I thought it would only last a couple of weeks, then as it got extended I thought, "it's ok, we'll be fine. No big deal. This too shall pass!" And although there are many things I like about our new "normal", I'm starting to get "sick and tired" of some things.
So, I'm going to vent for a couple of minutes - I hope you don't mind! I feel like I'm dwelling in these annoyances and I need to get them out of my system.
Ok, here it goes. I am sick and tired of:
1. Wearing a mask EVERYWHERE and no one being able to tell if I'm smiling or not (I like to smile! I like people to know I'm kind and that I'm a lover of people)
2. Banks having reduced hours, so now I wait in a line of cars at the drive through for at least a half hour (yes, I have online banking, but because I'm a business owner I need to go to the bank, friends)
3. Baggers putting only 2 or 3 items in my bags at the grocery store! (2 things in a bag, really?) Which brings me to...
4. Having 20 million grocery bags to carry and 20 million plastic bags to throw out, BECAUSE grocery stores are no longer accepting the plastic for recycling. [I own shopping bags, but we can't use them right now.]
5. Home schooling! AHHHH. I'm not a teacher. And I have to work a full day from home, so home schooling really stinks. Sorry.
6. Not being able to plan a summer vacation, or a gathering, or a wellness retreat, small group training, or any other Faith2Fitt programs
7. Not having church services - I miss going to church and receiving the Holy Eucharist!
8. Not being able to teach my Saturday Faith2Fitt class (Don't get me wrong, I look forward to the Facebook Lives but I miss my face-to-face classes)
9. Not being able to see or hug people
10. And last, but not least, AND at the top of my list of things "I'm so SICK and TIRED of"...is...not being able to hug my parents, really see them, and spend time with them. I'm so tired of it. I miss them. My kids miss them. And they miss us. Sigh.
You know, I try not to complain. St. Paul even tells us in Philippians, "For it is God who works in you to will and to act on behalf of His good purpose. Do everything without complaining or arguing so that you may be blameless and pure, children of God without fault in a crooked and perverse generation, in which you shine as lights in the world…" [Philippians 2:13-15]
We are to shine as a light to others. We have great purpose on this earth and complaining is not one of them. I can say that I always look on the bright side of things and I try to show my kids that we should always remain positive, hopeful, and non-judgmental. But you know, it's ok to vent once-in-awhile. We need to let it out. We need to feel our emotions and sit in our feelings sometimes. It's when we don't that we run to the pantry, the wine or liquor cabinet, the internet, netflix, or other vice that keeps us from feeling and dealing with our emotions. We need to feel, surrender and release.
Now more than ever, we need to sit in silence and pray. We need to be thankful and joyful. And when we want to vent or just cry it out, then we have to. For me, writing in a journal helps. I just go to town and write everything I'm feeling and thinking. If I'm in a bad mood or feeling fearful, stressed, overwhelmed, depressed, I start my journal entry in all honesty and just write it all out. The bad the ugly. But usually, by the end of my entry, God has whispered something in my heart and He has eased my uncertainties or anxiety. In my release and surrender on the page, he speaks and brings me peace. No, my circumstance has not changed, but my heart and focus has. I have surrendered it to him and brought my focus back to love and peace. And to trust in the One who always carries me through and never leaves my side.
So vent, write, go for a walk or drive, and complain all you want. But only let it last for a few minutes. Then bring your focus back to what is unchanging - God's steadfast love for you.
He's got you.
PS: I would love to hear what you want to vent about or somethings you're SICK and TIRED of because of this quarantine...comment here or send me an email. Let it out, friend!
“For it is God who works in you to will and to act on behalf of His good purpose. Do everything without complaining or arguing, so that you may be blameless and pure, children of God without fault in a crooked and perverse generation, in which you shine as lights in the world.”
HAHA….I thought this was funny and wanted to make you laugh!