It's been a while since I've written one of these! But, as I sit at my desk, I'm looking at the "Be brave; you got this!" lunch note I put in my daughter's lunch sack last week for her first day of school. It makes me feel like I should follow suit. So, here goes!
In complete and utter transparency, I'll divulge that my husband lost his job 5 months ago. It felt like a slap in the face because after over a decade of service, ethics awards, high production and in general-just being a light there, the rug came out from under him (and by default, his family of 5). "Prepare for impact" is a term I'd been familiar with, but now it was too late. How can you prepare for something that's already happened?
Fast forward to today - Wednesday - Publishing Day at my desk, as always - my mindset is in such a different place. How can you remain bitter at a place that paid your bills for so many years? How can you not be grateful for the humility you've learned this last 5 months? The extreme levels of budgeting and minimizing; the quality time together as a family doing FREE activities (ahemm Mac Kid Event Calendar!); the extreme wisdom and grateful heart you will have stepping into a future that will be filled with abundance?? I'm speaking to myself here, but I know everyone reading this (to steal a line from my husband) is either in a trial, just got out of a trial, or is about to step into a trial. AMEN!?
We simply cannot control some things: The company we worked so hard for letting us go or a diagnosis coming down unexpectedly. We can only control what we do from that moment forward. We control our own mindset - we can't let it control us!
Keep putting the good stuff in. Read a book (or five) that inspires you; spend time with the people who are going to build you up. Prepare your mind and heart for impact, because those blows do keep coming, and you want to be poised to control your own mindset when it does.
And when your friends ask "How are you?" do them a favor and be honest with them! We are doing life together; let them in.
Thanks for letting me be honest with you this week. I hope this finds you and your families well and conquering the world.
XO,
Lindsay
