FOGGGGGGGG!!!

lemons in egg box at letterbox for free - for people to take and use #smilingontheinside

It’s times like these…

The Value of a Resilience Bank

#smilingontheinside – Saturday 21 June 2025

Apart from the fact that growing your (my) Resilience Bank is good for your (my) mental health in the moment, it’s also super helpful when you (I) need to make a withdrawal later.

Sometimes, life can be challenging…

Sometimes, the wind gets knocked out of our sails; we get sick, we lose loved ones, or accidents happen that throw us for a loop.

Last week was one of those weeks for me, and I’m really glad my Resilience Bank Account is in the green, allowing me to draw on it when I needed to.

Navigating Life’s Challenges

This week has been about reminding me to focus on what I can control because there’s plenty I can’t, like:

The weather
Market forces
Alan’s schedule

However, what I can control is:

What I do – like going for my daily walks – today was the 1,393^rd consecutive
What I think – especially looking for the positive
What I eat – making sure I prioritise protein

The Power of “Even Though…”

The phrase “even though” has become a game-changer for me. It helps me reframe how I see things.

“Even though…” doesn’t diminish what’s happening; it creates space for a completely different perspective… a 180^o different perspective. For instance, “even though it’s foggy, I know the sun is up there somewhere,” or “even though it’s raining, I know it won’t last forever.”

This week has been nothing but fog—just fog, fog, and more fog! I can handle it if it’s only around for a little while, but when it’s still here by mid-afternoon, I really have to work hard to stay upbeat… and warm.

It’s at times like this that I need to call on “… even though…”

I joke that I’m like a cat that chases the sun around the house. When there’s no sun because of the fog, I turn into a grumpy cat—spitty and hissy – even though I know the sun’s up there somewhere!

Embracing the Fog

On a positive note, I had to #smileontheinside during my walk when I spied (RIP nan) some lemons waiting at a letterbox for others to enjoy.

I love this about where I live—looking for the good when I walk, even though it’s foggy!

Looking for Joy in Simple Things

There’s also a community pantry about a kilometre away where people can give what they can and take what they need. A bit further, there are community gardens—like little allotments for those without their own plots to tend.

Building Community Connections

Community, giving, sharing, and gifting—that’s what really makes the world a better place, don’t you think…?

I made sure to thank the gardener who donated those lemons as I gratefully took one.

Gratitude and Sharing

Living life positively – even though we don’t feel it – is about appreciating the little things… consciously looking for the positive … sometime bright – like these beautiful happy yellow lemons!

Growing our Resilience Bank and focusing on the positives truly does make a difference in our lives.