07/26/2024
How do you take out your trash?
If you drive through my neighborhood on garbage day,
Every homeowner puts their trash container by the curb the night before
And, after it’s collected and emptied, we have to bring it back onto our property.
Trash is normally collected mid-morning so if you’re home most of the day,
Or in and out a lot, you need to listen out for the garbage truck or
Risk making multiple trips to check and see if it was collected.
But there’s one neighbor of mine who has a unique system
That takes the guessing out of this chore.
Every week, without fail, when I drive by her house around 7am
It’s impossible not to notice the newspapers
Hanging out of each side of her garbage can.
Genius, no?!
Most of people have no problem taking out their trash.
It might take them a bit more time to but they can figure out when it’s done.
For some reason, though, the regular way doesn’t work for her.
For this lady, taking out the trash is too hard to do on her own!
It got me thinking-
We all have one type of trash or another that builds up within us.
Fears, anxieties, sadness… the normal emotions that we experience
Through the normal ups and downs of life.
But sometimes it can get to be too much- our emotional bins get heavy
From a buildup of challenges that become too hard to bear.
Or maybe a single scary or traumatic that has the same paralyzing effect.
We need relief.
We’re at capacity and need to empty our bins;
The emotions are too strong for us to carry on our own.
Our emotional bin get heavy and full and needs to be taken out.
And, if it’s too hard to empty on your own,
There’s no shame in turning somewhere else for help.
Most of the time we can manage it on our own.
But, when it’s a bit too heavy, there are people to whom to turn.
There are times that a professional is needed. There’s no shame in that.
But in most cases, though, you don’t need to go that far.
I love reading books with short stories or small lessons
That give inspiration and lessons for life.
Or- I’ll connect with a friend who has a good listening ear.
Talking through your challenges helps you feel so much better!
And, when I’m feeling strong, I like connecting with friends
Or others who might be going through a rough patch.
My listening ear might be just exactly what they need….
You and I can be an outlet, helping others bear their emotions
As they navigate a crisis or challenge in their life.
You can be their newspaper and help them clear their “trash”!
