Tough Stuff

Whenever I read the words "tough stuff" together, I immediately think back to my love of Chicken Soup for the Teenaged Soul books. I had a whole bunch (that I always put on my Christmas list), and I would sit in my room on a down day at the age of fifteen and cry about broken hearts and triumphant comebacks.

I want to take this post in so many different directions, but my thoughts are everywhere, and so to streamline, I simply offer this:



That's right. A bowl of chicken noodle soup.

I have scrolled through my IG and FB newsfeeds every day this week and I have wept--for friends who have lost family, for family who have lost jobs, for acquaintances who's jobs in life have lost their luster--from business to motherhood to love and all facets of ourselves in between.

My heart is breaking for each and every one of you, and the best I can offer you is soup.

Virtual soup.

I have a friend who, during our Chicken Soup years, would be eating something delicious during late night phone conversations. For me, it was always some sort of ice cream, and for her, some sort of delectable brownie goodness her mom whipped up. I would have rathered the brownies and she would have rathered the ice cream and so we'd say, "Here, let me send you some through the phone." We'd fake "Mmmmm"s that would turn into giggles and then on to the next topic of conversation, usually which cute guy we would marry as the latest BoyzIIMen ballad played in the background.

So here, I'm sending you some soup through the blog.

It's okay to laugh and think "Really?"

Yes, really.

With it, I offer a side of this:

On the days where it hurts, and our emotions are strong, and we feel like we've been hit by a truck; on the days when you think "I can't possibly," and it all feels like too much; on the days when the expectations fall short and you find yourself muttering the word "fail"; on those days, allow yourself to experience every emotion that comes to you. Don't hold back.

And then let it go. Find something good--anything will do--and shake off the bad. Trust the bigger picture. Accept a hug, kind words, smiles. Let them fill you up with the idea that there's love in your world, and it's beautiful and bigger and stronger and brighter than any of the dark that often feels overwhelming.

I'm going to heed those words, too.

To quote an honestmom who sends me texts of encouragement when I need them the most: You got this.

-Kristin