There is a post-it on the back of my office door where I have written the following words:

ASK BETTER QUESTIONS.

The post-it does not live by itself, there are others…

Anyways, for some time now, I have been trying to tap into a consistent joie de vivre, where I am choosing joy and living my best life, without wearing rose coloured glasses (not that there is anything wrong with them…they are just not me).   The key being …I desired to tap into the feeling consistently.

Joie de vivre: an exuberant enjoyment of life.

Becoming a caregiver for aging parents is a profound shift, one that affects nearly every aspect of your life. It can feel overwhelming, isolating, and at times, emotionally exhausting. Yet, it is also a role that could provide a unique sense of purpose and connection. Managing life as a caregiver is not just about balancing responsibilities but also about finding ways to sustain your emotional well-being and sense of self.

Its a a question I have asked myself a lot over the last couple years.  Mostly as a result of my having a front row seat to my parents journey as they aged.

I had a great ...

One day, in the grand scheme of things, will it matter? 

Have you ever have one of those days …where at the end of it all ….an ordinary day just felt …magical?  Like there was a sprinkling of stardust?

I experienced one recently.  It was just a random day.

There was no plan afoot…as is the case with the best things.  It just simply unfolded.   I am not even sure whether I woke up with the aid of an alarm or not, but on this morning, my eyes opened earlier than usual.  And I did not roll over and snooze as is my norm.

Sometimes when I was in the thick of things, when things felt like they were spiraling completely out of control, it was hard to see the good, to remember to count my blessings.

At first, and sometimes, it was as simple as finding 5 things I could be grateful for. Maybe I would do the exercise twice a day.  Or to be honest as often as necessary to stay grounded in the moment and move forward despite the relief promised in the ease of giving into the heavy.  

But we know there are seasons.  And nothing lasts forever.

Just sharing a few, well 24, random life truths I have picked up along the way:

"I have nothing to wear", says me to myself one day last week.  

What!??

Crazy, right?  Except I am not crazy.  (Although a little crazy does keep it interesting.)  

Enter 2022. I began the year in the most incredible way. I was flying. Open. Ready. Life was good. My expectation was ... this would be THE year. Let’s go. I was pumped. Excited for all the possibilities. It was going to be epic.