Tag: life

Stop the World

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The headlines right now make it feel like the world is stopping. And it feels like that too.

Barely anyone outside, minimal cars rolling by and that’s just what I can see outside of my window as I work from home.

It makes you feel like you’re living in a bubble.

But before you melt into the couch, know that it doesn’t have to be that way.

I mean, yes absolutely, practice social distancing. But you can still participate in your life online. Via social media you can still connect to your friends and family, and that can keep you from feeling isolated when you’re alone.

But above all:

Remember:

That everything is going to be okay. We might have a new normal for awhile. But at the end of it, we’re going to be okay.

How do I know that?

Because I have to believe that, that’s why.

Love,

Bailey

Captive Audience

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Hello world!

Since you’re all a captive audience (because what else are you going to do when you’re stuck at home 24 hours a day) but read things on the internet!

And so we’re here.

So, allow me to dazzle you with some fun facts about me:

I love licking the sticky part of envelopes.

I was a double major in college, which I am very proud of.

I am double jointed in my jaw.

I kissed the Blarney stone but did not get the gift of gab.

My favorite color is yellow.

So, now it’s your turn! Give me 5 fun facts about you in the comments.

Like I said, what else are you going to do?

Love,

Bailey

 

Can You Play This at My Funeral?

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I have a playlist on Spotify called “A Celtic Gathering” and it’s all my favorite traditional Irish and Scottish songs, and it’s over 25 hours of music. It’s my pride and joy.

And I want it played at my funeral.

I know SUPER macabre for this blog, but I want my wishes known. As the daughter of a line of cemetery employees, I’ve come to be in favor of the “Good Death.”

If you don’t know Caitlin Doughty, she’s the purveyor of the Order of the Good Death, and I love everything she stands for. I mean, by purveyor, she encourages people to have Good Deaths, she is not a murderer.

And what do I mean about a “Good Death”? I mean, everyone in your family (and your friends too) know what you want at your funeral so there isn’t any questioning or wondering about whether she would have wanted/liked dot dot dot. It’s just there, already known. Do you want to be cremated? Got it. Do you want to be buried with a tree? Cool. Do you want to be blast out of a cannon with glitter? Go for it! But tell someone first!

So, get to planning. And as blog as my witness, I will have “A Celtic Gathering” played at my funeral. But hopefully not before I get to listen to it a few more times.

 

 

No Comparison

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To use an overused metaphor, life is like a marathon.

It’s long, it’s grueling, and you’re surrounded by strangers.

But don’t worry, it’s not all bad – you’re also running.

But what you definitely shouldn’t do in life and in running a marathon is compare yourself to others.

You’re you. And there’s no one quite like you. So instead of falling down a hole of why is she running faster than me? why is he skinnier than me? am I falling behind? Trust that you are going on the journey that fits you. Trust that you are where you’re supposed to be. And trust, that everyone around you, for some reason or another, is cheering you on.

So, keep going. Don’t look back. And don’t compare yourself to others. Oh, and don’t trip.

Is This It?

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To all of you are saying, is this it?

Is this all the friends I’ll make? Is this all the money I’ll make? Is this all the life I’ll live?

You have to seek out opportunity. You can’t ask, “is this it?” “is this all the taxes I’ll pay?” You have to find other people finding your dream. And if that doesn’t work, you have to keep going.

It doesn’t matter how far you go, it’s how many lives you can pack in your life. And if you can’t go any further, it’s the times you find yourself saying, “I can do more.”

So,  do  more. Do much more. And if you find yourself at the end of your rope, do a little more.

Because no one knows what you’re capable of.

 

Love,

Bailey

Friendly Reminder

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This is your friendly reminder…to be friendly.

Yes, everyone out there is fighting a hard battle, and blah blah blah. But that’s not the most important reason to be nice to other people. Actually, why do you need a reason? This should be your default mode.

And you can come and tell me that you had a hard day, and life isn’t going the way you expect it to, and it was one time, but I’m going to reply: you had a choice. You always have a choice.

And don’t misunderstand me. When I say nice, I’m not referring to a doormat. I’m saying kind, generous, and friendly. Even when it’s hard to. Even when you’d rather not. Even when it’s not important.

Be a friend as often as possible. Because we all depend on each other.

Today is Cancelled

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I showed up to my train station this morning only to find out that there were no trains scheduled to run due to a power outage.

And from that moment on, today has been a day of cancellations. Cancelled meetings, cancelled lunches, cancelled cancels.

And so, because today is a Monday, I’m just going to go ahead and say today is cancelled.

Which, as an adult with a full time list of responsibilities, cancelling can mean that one day can do you a world of good. Just unload your plate so you can push yourself away from the table sometimes. Take a deep breath and smell the roses.

So today is cancelled. We’ll try again tomorrow.

Coincidence?

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My old car was a barrel of monkeys. (If those monkeys all had knives and were trying to all get out of the barrel.)

It had its problems. What my dad likes to call “gremlins”. Some of the electrical stuff in my car decided to work when it felt like it. But most often, my driver side window refused to roll down.

After not being able to put on my seatbelt correctly, I bought a new car. And it has been working great. Except recently. When the driver side window decided to stop working. (Did you guess that?)

So my question is: is this a coincidence? I mean what are the odds? (I don’t know because I’m math challenged).

But it seems to me that calling it a mere coincidence takes the fun out of it. So I’m calling it a rare mistake of fate.

In life, there are reasons for things. But in your own life, there isn’t always. Don’t trouble yourself with finding meaning. Some things were just meant to be (or meant not to work.)

Reflect

Bailey Gunn2 Comments

Like anyone who has lived enough years, I’ve lost a loved one. And on the day of their death, I try to reminisce and think about when they were alive. Reflect on their life. Remember who they were.

Which is a very sad event indeed, and it usually leaves me crying by the end. I miss them, and it’s so hard to be here without them.

But what we should always remember is that you are a reflection of the people you love. You are just a mirror image of the people that you call friends because your likeness recognizes likeness in them. And so, if you’re missing a loved one, simply be the mirror to their life. Live as if you lived for them. Reflect and be reflected. And you will live and walk in their light.

-dedicated to Neil Venitsky. Thank you for believing in your dream so that I could believe in mine.

New Year’s Resolutions

Bailey Gunn1 Comment

Whether or not you actually believe in them, I think it is still worthy to write down things that you want to do this year. Even if you abandon them by February, at least you have a goal.

Mine are:

1. Write more

2. Lose weight

3. Learn a language

4. Be more assertive

5. Be more grateful

What are yours?