Take a Deep Breath

This post has nothing to do with wine or Paso Robles…FYI.

It was an odd end to 2013 and the start to 2014 hasn’t been much different. I’m not sure if there really is more bad stuff happening in general or maybe more bad things happening to people I know so it feels like there’s more chaos than normal.

There was the tragic death of Jana Carlson here in Paso Robles in which she left behind four children. I have a friend with cancer. There have been too many break ups and divorces to count. One person I know is dealing with some pretty unfair legal stuff. I know several people fighting depression and they are struggling deeply with it.

I want you all to know that I’m sorry you’re going through what you’re going through. I want you to know that if I had the power to take away the pain, the hurt, the fear, and the anxiety I would do it in a heartbeat. I want you to know that if you need someone to talk to please don’t hesitate to get in touch with me.

I bring all this up just to point out and remind each of us that behind the work, the careers, school, grocery shopping, doing laundry, mowing the yard, raising the kids, refilling the propane tanks, and checking the P.O. box…there are real feelings and real thoughts going on inside each of us. None of us thinks the same or travels the same path and we cannot possibly know or comprehend what others are going through in their own little world.

When times are good and you’re feeling great I think it really is a time to reach out to people, be kind, smile, be a shoulder for someone, and generally be more compassionate and understanding. When times are bad and you think there are no options and that life is over…take a deep breath and try to reach out to someone you trust. Talk to them if you can. Take a timeout. Read an inspirational story. Try to remember that no matter how you feel right now, someone cares about you more than you know. That person would probably love to give you a hug. Find your beach.

This life is not always fair. It’s a roller coaster of really cool things and really horrific things and it’s up to each of us to be there for one another. It’s up to us to find perspective and clarity. It’s up to us to realize that as long as there is air in our lungs we have options, choices, and the ability to have hope. I can’t promise that things will ever be that perfect vision that you have in your head but I can promise you that tomorrow is a new day. That’s pretty amazing if you ask me.

I often wonder why bad things happen to good people. The thing about that though is that bad things happen to everyone. So do good things. You are not alone in that part of this journey. I’ve dealt with depression and a lot of self doubt issues…still do. Hell yes it sucks and I feel like it’s unfair but every single one of us has issues we deal with at some point. Why should I be any different? Tragic events and shitty days are guaranteed so in the end it’s about taking that deep breath and finding some way to cope with things and possibly even grow from it.

To the people going through the things I mentioned earlier, you know who you are and I really wish you the best of luck. I can’t solve the issue but I can be here for you and I hope that means something.

I know it may not seem like it right now but this truly is a wonderful world.