I am so tired.  Sometimes, I don’t want to get out of bed.  I don’t want to answer the phone.  I don’t want to do anything.  Just let me lye here.  No distractions. No noise.  No screams or shouts.  I want a day with no responsibilities.  None.  No promises.  Nothing to do.  No one to answer to, except for ourselves.  Can you imagine, a day where you wake up and do whatever you please without regret or feelings of guilt?  Absolutely no responsibilities.  No worries about tomorrow.  Dreaming dreams upon dreams, lost in a world of imagination and desire.  Only, to finally wake to a day that is filled with calm.   Restfulness.  Peace.  Adventure.  Whatever we desire, the new dawn has given us this once again.  We awake to a world that greets us with open arms. A world full of wonder and desire, a world that is quite literally, “at our fingertips”. 

Sometimes I forget that this was my childhood.  As it was, most everyone else’s.  Now we are adults and we have jobs, responsibilities, bills, mortgages, rent, more bills, taxes, car payments and insurance.  New clothes, kids shoes, bedtimes, study times, crying babies, breakfast, lunch and dinner to fix, snacks, parties, homework, being a good Mommy or Daddy, making it to work on time, coming home on time, setting a good example, listening enough, sharing enough, laughing enough, staying in shape, being happy, being sad, trying to find the “me” that used to be the very essence of me.  Now that we are adults, we have so many pressures, responsibilities and daily tasks and chores; it is no wonder that we sometimes loose ourselves in the mix.  Collapsing at the end of the day, ready to sleep, exhausted.  We are no longer thinking of ourselves, our spouses, we are thinking about sleep.  Sleep and rest.  Then it begins again.

Does this sound depressing?  Sad or full of despair?  What if I had started this blog out with the following instead… Exhausted!  Can someone help me…We are moving to Hawaii and need someone to mow our yard until our house sales in August.  Winning the lottery.  Wow!  Doesn’t sound nearly as sad or depressing, does it.  Well, while we did not win the lottery.  I do feel, lucky in life.  So should you.  Look down at your feet.  Count your toes.  Count your feet and your legs.  Count your fingers and your hands.  Your arms.  Can you see?  Hear?  Are you able to read this?  Breathe on your own accord.  Are your children happy?  Healthy?  Alive?  Do you love someone?  Does someone love you?  I have had the great misfortune, or fortune to have endured numerous broken bones, torn ligament, delays in my career and life both by chance and choice and heartbroken more than once. With prayer, hard work, getting up and starting again each time I fell down (even if I had to ask for help or support) I was able to continue moving my life forward in the direction I had chosen.  My misfortunes have molded me into who I am, just as yours will you.  We all have so many different pathways, different desires or choices leading to different places in life, yet all of these places have one thing in common.  They are places that we have chosen.  No one arrives to points in life randomly.  Every day, we make decisions and choices that will affect the day before us.  Each decision leading us to a different fork in the road of life, where once again we must make a choice or decision about where our life and the lives of those around us will be directed. 

Too often we go through life, unhappy with the cards we have been given, when in actually it is our actions that have decided our own hand in life.  True, there are times when we do everything exactly correct and still we are given difficult lives, choices and responsibilities.  Burdens that seem to weigh us down.  I know you are tired and worn out.  Many of us are.  However, that exhaustion will not change until you change.  If you are a new Mommy, new at a job, divorced, newly married, injured, sick, whatever the case.  Your fatigue and exhaustion will not improve unless you change yourself and or your surroundings. Only you can decide that things will be different.  Say to yourself and act on your words: Today, I will make a difference.  Today, I will change things in my life.  Today, I will ask for help from a friend or family member. Today, I will help someone who needs help.  Today, I will smile all day.  Today, I will appreciate how gifted my spouse is and remember how amazing they are.   Today, I will look at my spouse and thank them for all they do and all the support they give me and our family.  Today, I will realize that I wouldn’t be me, if it wasn’t for my family and the support of the people that love me. Today, I will tell my spouse or child that I am sorry for everything I have done. (Don’t worry, even if you cannot think of anything to be sorry for, they will accept your apology and be thankful just the same). Today, I will start my career again.  Today, I will be a better parent, wife, husband or sibling.  Today I will begin walking, exercising, stop smoking, be kinder, and be patient. Today, I will realize that I have all the possibilities of the world before me and where I am today and who I am today will ultimately decide who I am tomorrow.  If you feel like you are lost or not where you want to be in life, do not forget, it is never too late to change who and what we are. Life is short.  Live each day to be the best of what you can.  Enjoy life.  Give to others and take pleasure in the small things in life. Remember, when you feel lost or overwhelmed, ask for help.  Overwhelmed, depressed, sad, lost?  Do not despair. Never give up.  Time will heal most all wounds, if we allow it.  Rest will ease pains and sadness.  Believe in a power greater than yourself.  Forget about the worries and burdens of tomorrow, even if for a minute and appreciate the person who loves you, the child that is yours, and the very air you breathe. Believe me; others have been here before you.  You are not alone. 

Life is an amazing journey.  Enjoy it and what you have. Do not dwell on the past or mistakes; rather focus on the future and the possibilities before you.  You are amazing. You are wonderful.  No matter what, you and you alone are responsible for your happiness.  Be happy.  Smile.  Make those around you happy and help them enjoy life.  Today is your day. Today is the day for you to find happiness and belief in the world around you.  Today will be a new day. Today will start a new you. Be thankful.  Be the person you envisioned yourself to be.  You are never alone.  You can do anything, just believe. Have a great week everyone!

Dr. Jason