Life is fucking hard.

I said the words "life is fucking hard" today to a friend going through some heavy stuff. It stemmed from my own feelings lately about life due to my circumstances, but also because I have a number of friends who are being hit with some really tough things in life. It is just how I felt and you know what? It really can be sometimes!

I was watching Downton Abbey This week and this line was said:
"Sometimes I think life is about a series of problems that come our way, and figuring out how to answer them"... "And then we die". I think that this is spot on. I think it's about how we handle life as it comes at us. I'm not going to say it will be easy. IT ISN'T! and I'm not going to say I'm great at this, in fact I've been very down and discouraged about life in general lately. (Laid off while being told I am great at my job, two people I know passing, the polar vortex, my weight, my friends painful circumstances...etc). I hope though, that we can figure out the answers and move through the crappy stuff with love.

I know the funk I am in will pass. I don't like this feeling and so I am working to move through it quickly, yet honor my feelings too. I have watched others fall apart and treat others like crap while dealing with hard things in life (I've been that punching bag for others before - it isn't fun), but I am choosing to try and go through this with love and kindness, not anger and hurt. I may not always be at my best, but I promise to try. I've started this by embracing the silver linings and the blessings that come my way every day, here are a few:

• Paying attention to the positive messages from strangers, they have been coming my way lately. 
• My neighbor child's hugs, kisses and laughter.
• My neighbors. The text insisting I spend Valentine's Day with them was awesome...plus so much more!
• My dog cuddling close. 
• The artwork by a kindred spirit that was sent to me today (picture below). 
• My friend through cancer fighting talking me into a trip to Miami to see him and escape the polar vortex. 
• My Delta miles to get me to Miami. 
• My girls...enough said.
• Having dinner at my childhood friends moms house with her kids. 
• My cousin-sister-friend moving back to MN and bringing her hubby and newborn son. 
• Having a lake home loaned to me to bring all my girlfriends together for laughter and fun. 
• My trainers belief in my ability - it is far beyond what I believe I can do. 
• Managing an hour on my bike trainer 3 months after my second knee surgery. 
• Reconnecting with really amazing women and men I have lost touch with. 
• Dancing all night to JT with my girls. 
• Watching my friends sons play hockey against each other.
• A healthy family.

When I write that list I think, "life is good KK, pull up your boot straps and go get em'!" 

KK