On our walk this morning, Dallas just cracked me up! ♥
It’s impossible for her to look in front of her – ya know, the direction she’s actually going.
Instead, she’s consumed with every noise, smell, neighbor, bird, squirrel, and even wind around her. I’ll come back to this…
On the 31st, we’re celebrating our Ruthiversary! 4 years since Dallas rescued me and Sassy and brought joy back into our home and hearts….
When I didn’t even believe that was possible.
We recently went to Grand Lake….my favorite place….for my wedding anniversary. 4 years ago was my first anniversary trip without Jim.
That’s when I made the decision to get Sassy a sister.
The 3 of us did go to Grand lake in 2019 for just one night – because Dallas was still a baby and Sassy was still a handful (Facts!).
So because of Covid, this was our first time back.
Having that time between visits allowed me to see a LOT of things…. Things I don’t think I’d have seen otherwise…..even though they were right in front of me.
Just like Dallas on our morning walk today!
Here are a few of my realizations that anyone struggling needs to hear:
I know right now it seems impossible… But I promise you, you WILL get there!
- There are thousands of steps you’re taking that no one else can see – even you much of the time!
Being able to recognize these invisible steps reminds me that I’m making progress even when it feels like I’m standing still.
It took being in Grand Lake for me to see so many of the steps I’ve taken. Cooking again – because I want to not just because I need to. Sleeping through the night – hell, sleeping AT night not just when exhaustion takes over.
- It still hurts just as much but you’ll learn how to cope with the pain ~
On our last Grand Lake trip, the drive up took me several teary stops along the way. And I still got there!
This trip I was able to drive straight through. I got teary along the way – but I didn’t need to stop. I could breathe.
Sassy is completely trained…. another thing I thought was out of the realm of possibilities! She has the energy of her younger self but is all grown up.
Dallas has come such a long way, too. She’s still a big bundle of energy, but she listens and LOVES to please.
And me – I’m able to take them anywhere without any concern.
This didn’t happen overnight. We’ve put in – and still put in – the work. Being a Pitbull mama carry’s extra responsibilities.
- You WILL become internally grateful
I know gratitude sounds like a foreign thing right now. But I can’t emphasize enough how important it is.
Force yourself to find things – anything! to be grateful for. Coffee. Sunshine. Getting some sleep. Family.
Just get into the practice of turning to gratitude. It will pay off as you find more and more things each day that you’re grateful for… And one day – that gratitude will no longer be forced.
I came home not only better able to see my progress, but also feeling so grateful for how far I’ve come.
No. Matter. What!
People questioned me. Criticized. Judged. My path didn’t look like The Sam they knew.
It didn’t even look like The Sam I knew.
But it was and is MY path. Following it is the only way I got where I am now.
Following yours is the only way you’ll get there. You know the way – even when you don’t!
So I guess I’m saying that we all can learn from Dallas.
It’s easy to get consumed by everything going on around us – which makes it easy to miss things that are right in front of us.
Hopefully this blog has provided some comfort, education or awareness. If you know someone who will benefit from reading this blog, please share it.
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By making noise and breaking stigmas we can make the world a better place.
