how do they DO it!?

{...}

I’m an observer. I like watching people. No, I love watching people. I always have. I would be perfectly content walking into a crowded room at a party {or any sort of gathering}, finding a comfy spot in a quiet corner and simply surveying my surroundings. I think it’s fascinating to find what drives people. What motivates them. What animates them. What makes them happy, sad, frustrated, hurt, at peace. It energizes me – much more than actually talking to people.

Sure, I still enjoy a good conversation as much as the next person, but I find that I learn a lot more when I close my mouth and let others do the talking.

I’m not perfect at it. Sometimes I do way more than my fair share of talking. And then I regret it. So, for the next few weeks I’m going to take a step back and let some of my friends do the driving.

I’m surrounded by people who I feel have had more than their share of what is considered ‘bad’ in this world. I’ve even had people tell me I’ve had more than my fair share. But, as my mom would say, “Who decides what’s fair?” She’s right, you know. Who decides what each individual person can or cannot handle? I absolutely believe that we are all here in this Earth life to be tested. We are given only what we can handle. But we are not expected to handle it on our own. And we all have different ways of coping. And some, I’ve found, seem to do it much better than others. So I asked a handful of friends and family to share their secrets with us.

Each was asked the same question:

“How do you do it?!”

They are all women. {I know. Men have trials too. Sorry. But I’m pretty sure Ryan is the only man who reads this blog. Thanks, Ry.} Some have years of experience; some are kind of new to the game. Some have similar trials to many of us; some have hardships quite unique. But I didn’t tell them which trials to talk about – that was up to them. And I’ll be honest – some of the experiences they chose to talk about over others actually surprised me!. But that’s just another pleasant surprise I received from sitting back and observing.

So, I hope you enjoy your break from me for the next few weeks. I know I will.

Here’s how they do it...