Don’t Miss the Meaning

Christmas is three short days away and quite frankly, I’m having a hard time catching my breath in all the hustle and bustle of the season. I know I’m not alone in this feeling; in fact if you’re feeling rested at this time of the year, you might be among the minority.

I did want to pause and share an experience that I had the other day, that wrecked me in the best way possible. It caused me to take a major step back.

I was working at a seasonal part-time job that I’ve recently taken on for a few extra dollars, when a young man approached me (probably in his early-mid 20’s). Within five minutes of talking to him, I knew his entire life story, or at least it felt that way. He had mentioned hating the holidays, which had taken me aback some. He told me that his mother passed in the last year and due to her passing, he’d lost touch with a lot of his family. He remarked that Christmas really wasn’t anything without family, especially “the one person who loved him unconditionally.” Holding back tears, I told him I was so sorry and I understood why this time of the year was especially hard for him. He went on to say that he didn’t have the best relationship with his mom and she oftentimes would call him at work too frequently. However now, he’d do anything to have her call one more time.

I’m not sharing this to be a buzzkill or a Debbie Downer as they call it. Rather, I’m sharing as a simple reminder of what this season is all about: the heartbeats in the room and the One who gave us all life in the first place (Jesus Christ). Not the presents under the tree (they’re just a nice addition ☺️), or the amount of Christmas parties you got invited to, or sending the cutest Christmas card. All of those are great and just extra perks to this magical season!

All I’m saying, is don’t get too stressed to be blessed #seriouslythough. Stop in this busy season + look. Listen to those around you. Put down your phone (I humbly admit I need to work on this). Take time to fully engage with and love on your family + friends. I know I’m endlessly grateful for those people in my life, and I don’t want the stressors of this season to overshadow that. Just some food for thought on this Tuesday. //

Merry Christmas!

xo,

J

Twenty-Four | Growing Pains & Praises

I’m writing this post a few days before my 24th birthday and I still can’t swallow the fact that I’m nearing my mid-twenties. Not because it’s a bad thing but holy cow. I’m not quite sure where the time has gone seeing that I feel like I was just celebrating my 16th birthday, getting my first car and my biggest concern was my AIM away message (my how times have changed). But, you know the old saying “time flies when you’re having fun” and boy have I had my fun. I don’t mean that all the fun comes to a screeching halt upon graduating college or turning 23, but things start to get a little more real. And by a little, I mean a lot.

Like learning how to wake up at 6am every.single.day, going to bed early enough to make that happen, not being surrounded by all of your closest friends all the time, not going out on Thursdays (or every night of the week), not being able to throw on leggings as part of your outfit, getting random bills in the mail that you didn’t know existed (i.e. Property taxes), grocery shopping (I swear it’s an art of its own), calling your mom to walk you through how to properly dice an onion, and the list goes on and on. The stresses you had in college are old news and you experience new challenges that keep you on your toes and make you grateful. By no means is this a negative post so I want to put a disclaimer on it before I go any further; I’m just openly expressing the growing pains that come with the”college to real world” transition. It’s been a season of so much joy, surprises (both good and bad), life lessons on top of life lessons, growth, new beginnings, new friendships and an abundance of opportunities. The greatest part: God has had a purpose in it all and it is all for my good. 

The new sense of independence that I’ve come to know in the past year is both wonderful and terrifying all at the same time. Nothing screams independent like a new car payment, your school loan grace period ending, and getting on your own insurance. Not to mention getting my own house (renting with roommates), regardless it’s still a learning curve. I’ve loved every minute of it and have loved getting to know a new part of the city I call home. There isn’t a single day that goes by that I don’t pull up to my house and thank God for my quintessential 1920’s style Tudor home in one of the cutest parts of town. The firepit out back and the sunroom are my absolute favorite parts. Oh and my commute to work is seven minutes long. Basically, this house was a Godsend.

It’s no doubt this has been (and will continue to be) a season full of life lessons and eye-opening experiences. Just recently, I thought I would take in my mom’s 5lb Maltese full time. Jokes on me, it didn’t last three weeks. Dogs are hard work, and if you want your roommates to like you or a social life, they’re not an ideal addition. Oh and impromptu weekend trips are officially out of the question. Again, the old man was right about this one when he said I was making a big mistake and needed to wait to throw a dog into the mix. So here’s to Bella Louise. It was fun while it lasted. For the record: She’s not going to a pound or a kennel, I’ve found a great new home for her where she will get the love and attention she needs.

I’ve decided that from this point forward, I will look at challenges that come my way or difficult situations where I don’t always have an answer, as opportunities to overcome. When I was talking to my mom the other day about how I took on way too much with the dog and I couldn’t put up with her another day, she made complete light of my situation (like she always does and I love her so much for it) and said “it looks like you have an opportunity to overcome.” It prompted me to view the whole situation from a completely different perspective.

One more final note: I love this simple reminder that I heard at a GenKC young professionals panel a few months ago, and that is to “Be gentle with yourself and let it all unfold.” I think that’s the best sentence that us 20-somethings can cling to in this tumultuous time of our lives.

xo,

J