The Journey: Focusing on something different in 2021
By SAMANTHA BRAZIE, Special to The Paper
Hey hey hey, Paper readers! Last month I took a little break to refocus and decide where the Journey columns should go next. I was in a little bit of a funk and felt like my column started repeating itself.
I kept promising myself I would stop checking social media and getting frustrated but kept checking. I also continued to tell myself that if I just kept myself busy enough, everything would pass before my mind got too far down a rabbit hole that my mental health suffered worse than it already had … and boy, have I kept myself busy.
My job has been on steroids. I haven’t traveled for leisure since last July (which was stressful in itself with all of the closings/regulations). It’s been almost impossible to fill the gap that a lack of travel has left.
Don’t get me wrong, I am absolutely blessed that I am able to have the quality of life now and before COVID. If my quality of life wasn’t as fulfilling before, I wouldn’t miss it like I do. Something positive that came out of all of this for me is that I have learned a different level of focus that includes priorities that I put on the back burner before. I appreciate the quality of my friendships in a completely different way.
Friendships have always been important, but time is something we don’t have an endless supply of and who I choose to intentionally spend my time with impacts my heart in a way I’ve never felt before. I have almost completely removed ‘negotiable’ negativity (people and situations I do not have to be around for work or direct family members) and that has made a huge impact in itself.
Through 2021, my columns will be focused on something a little different … themed, if you will. Every month I will talk about someone or some situation I have learned from. This could be someone famous to the world or someone very special to me … or it may be about being a female in a male dominated industry, being homeless (which I technically was for a couple of periods in my life) or tough lessons learned in other areas. Friends – there is always a rainbow at the end of the rain but if we don’t look up, we’ll never see that beautiful creation.
If there is something specific you would like to hear about, you can always email me at [email protected] and if I will be happy to oblige if at all possible. Until next time, Paper readers – my hope for you is that you will continue to be well and happy.
“The only impossible Journey is the one you never begin.” – Tony Robbins
