Happy Tuesday my dear friends. This will not be my typical warm and fuzzy blog. Just giving you a “heads up”, in case you want to walk away now.

It’s been almost 3 years since we left WV and moved to Columbus, OH. Hard to believe. There have been, for me, several ups and downs, booth emotionally and physically. The physical part is easy to deal with: just keep doing what I’ve been told to do and be patient, TIME will take care of the healing process. It’s the emotional part that is difficult.

Last Wednesday was, for the most part an awful day. I sold my half of our employee benefits practice 2 years ago. It was a difficult decision to walk away, but I felt like it was best for me and my emotional and mental health. The relationship with my business partner wasn’t good. I felt trapped, used and unappreciated. I’ll leave it there. Also, as most of you know, we had to ask our youngest daughter to leave the house the week before Christmas in December 2021. Well, last Wednesday brought both of those little items back to me in a harsh way. I ran into my old business partner and, let’s just say, it was uncomfortable and awkward. Brought back all of the old feelings and emotions from the past few years. Then, to cap off my day, I met up with our daughter, at the end of the day, for a conversation. It did not go well. At all. It’s so hard to hear someone you love tell you what are bad parent your were/are. That you were really never “there” for her. Ouch!

Why am I telling you this? Exposing myself? Making myself vulnerable? Because this is life. We can’t run from it. We can’t Haid’s from it. If you read my book, “Setbacks and Step Ups”, I continually say, “move forward”. Go ahead, have your 5-minute pity party. Get mad. Be angry. LET IT OUT! Then, move forward. Please understand that I am, in no way diminishing anything you may be going through. Not a t all. I feel you. Your pain. I am walking with you, hand-in-hand, and I hurt, too.

My point is to move forward. Surround yourself with people who lift you up. Look at who you spend the most time with on a daily, weekly basis. Do they lift you up? Are they supportive? Do they hold you accountable and inspire you to be better? Yes, I am talking to you, but also to myself.

I said this one wouldn’t be pretty, but it is the truth. The harsh truth. Sometimes we need to be more honest with the guy or gal in the mirror in order to make strides and improve. Do this. You won’t be going it alone. I’ll be right there with you. ❤️

Be well,

Jeff