As I sip on my morning cup of hot tea struggling to wake early on a Saturday morning, I stare at the TV and hear the news caster tell of budget cuts for mental health funding. This saddens me. I fear for the poor in our country. I have debated government provided healthcare with some of my friends. Some feel it is not the responsibility of government but the responsibility of the community and churches. The basic tenants of Christianity and all major religions, as well as just basic human empathy and decency tell us that it is all our responsibility. Even if you, or someone you love is not challenged with mental illness, you may cross paths with an untreated mentally ill person at the grocery store, gas station, church or just anywhere during your daily life that could pose a danger to you and your family. My heart is heavy.
Today is still an exciting day for me. I turn the television off and go get on my knees for my meditation time. I am trying to find my happy place and while its okay to be passionate and driven to live one’s purpose in life, it’s freaking Saturday and I get to play tennis this morning and then go watch my youngest daughter, Taylor, play fast pitch softball for Jones County Junior College. I am learning to compartmentalize so that I can enjoy the moments that make life worth living.
I am also so grateful that when one door closed a giant warehouse door opened. After the heartache of losing a grandchild to biogenesis cell disorder disease, Zellweger, and seeing the pain my daughter endured during that time, we also had the challenge of what to do after my husband’s job changed. Our warehouse door is a joint venture with friends, bringing to our community the largest health, fitness and sports complex this area has ever seen. A place where families can gather to be healthy in a very fun way. Fitlife Sportsplex is pouring the foundation this morning and it is really happening!!!!!!
When a tragedy or three rocks your world, you realize that life can change in a blink of an eye. I won’t waste my life any longer. I want to live a purposeful life. For me, I find that means trying to make this world a better place by sharing love and hope for finding solutions to the tough problems we have in our society. We can’t keep doing the same thing and expect different results, after all, as omnipresent “they” say, that is the definition of insanity.
May you never lose hope and may you find peace wherever you go.
Jackie
