Based on the sighs I hear and the withdrawn, faraway looks in the faces of others, I know that many of us are not okay. I’m not sure if this is part of post-Pandemic languishing or malaise or if this is just life doing its thing. The reality is life can be stinging and burning at times, or as my blogging friend Kathy says, “Life be lifing.”
I wish we would admit that more. I wish more of us would be brave enough to tell the truth of our mental and emotional states. It would certainly make our loads a bit lighter, and maybe, it would free someone else to be open about their struggles.
It’s not that misery loves company. We all need to know we’re not alone on the icky paths in life and we need to know we can navigate them and come through on the other side. We can survive these roads if we know we’re not alone, better yet if learn to walk them together.
So, let’s do each other a kindness. Be honest about our feelings, and let’s check our judgment and leave space for others to be candid with us.
About the Image: This gorgeous abstract sunflower features the work of my Wildflowers friend, Andrea F. She thought of me and my love for sunflowers while working on it. Like Sheila’s art, shared a couple of days ago, this piece sits in my planner and brightens many days!
Pics and Posts 
kindness matters. great post
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Yes, it’s so very pertinent to be open about our feelings, if only people don’t jump to judge or advice.
Kindness is such a beautiful word and I’m so glad I chose it as my Word of the Year. It’s landed beautifully in my being and helping me stay more kind to myself and those around me. Amen to that!
I love your blog posts so much, Chandra. They manage to resonate every single time.
Bless your soul and being. xox
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Yes, let’s! We are so accustomed to answering enquires politely. “I’m fine.” “I’m good.” Generations of politeness. I just watched an old move from the 50’s. The female lead had a still birth. The doctor told her husband she might get hysterical, and the husband didn’t once ask her how she was feeling. Just told her how beautiful she looked. There was a convoluted story, where she regains her strength, and an orphan lands in her lap. Problems solved. But the real issues were basically ignored. So sad to know that is how women were treated. Both of my grandmothers lost their first child. We should be so much further along by now. But sadly, mental health is still a stigmatized subject.
I agree with Natasha. Your posts always seem to find me exactly when I need them.
Hugs and prayers.
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Awww yes…I had such high hopes for post-pandemic behavior (or is it mid-pandemic). One of them was that we would all be a tad bit more compassionate with one another. Alas, I was wrong, so like many things, I’ve just tried to embody what I think is “right.”
Thanks for kwoting me here, Chandra 😉
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Sigh…I have no more words left for our whatever-this-is-pandemic behavior. I’m just tired and can’t wait till summer so I can take a break and sleep, sleep, sleep.
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