“My mission in life is not to merely survive, but to thrive; and to do so with some passion, some compassion, some humor, and some style.”

I used this Maya Angelo quote in the banquet address I gave at the National Federation of the Blind of Texas State Convention last Saturday. Like everything else these days, the event was virtual. I thought I struggled with my speech because it was over zoom, and I was speaking to the computer screen from the corner of my bedroom.  I’ve been kicking myself since then, saying things like, “That was awful.” “I was all over the place.” This morning, while crying in the shower, it hit me that I’m merely surviving. I’m not thriving.

I’m merely going through the motions of the day to day. I’ve stopped taking care of myself, so that I could put it all into taking care of others. 

I’ve lost my passion.

I’ve lost my self compassion.

Humor is so lost that I’m finding my face sore from frowning, clenching my jaw, and grinding my teeth at night.

Lastly, my daily style is things I could wear to sleep.  My physical health is a direct reflection of my mental health, and they are both struggling. 

This is me saying ENOUGH!

I will live my mission in life.

I will thrive;

with passion,

with compassion,

with humor,

and with style.

It starts today.  That cry in the shower was more than me releasing some tears. That cry in the shower allowed me to reflect on what needs to happen in order to get back to my mission in life. Step 2, write this blog. Step 3. send out an SOS to the running community for a good long run. In the mean time, a long bike ride on the tandem with my husband should help.

Friends, let’s not allow ourselves to merely survive. Let’s live our missions in life with some passion, some compassion, some humor, and some style.  Let’s thrive!