Finding Positivity In The Chaos

"It is not the situation but whether if we react negative or respond positive to the situation that is important."

 - Author unknown

Hello there friends!

 Welcome back to my blog! I want to thank you guys for being as excited as I am as I begin this wonderful blogging journey that I hope ends up turning into something big in the future. 

Now, I am sure you guys know about all of the craziness in the world right now and I am sure you guys are tired of hearing about COVID-19. Many of you are also in quarantine right now and it feels like you're about to rip your eyeballs out of your socket because you are so bored or your kids, spouse, dogs,whatever is running you up the wall!!!. Well, I am here to tell you that I am offering a break from that. I will not be discussing the virus or any aspects to it but rather am offering you an escape from a different perspective on how life is right now. 

Think about how different your life is right now compared to what it usually is. Whether you just got laid off from your job, your kids are home right now because school is closed, you're working from home if your company is allowing you to do so - whatever it may be. Think about all of the chaos happening to you personally right now. I want you to take a deep breath, unclench your jaw (bet you didn't know you were doing that,huh?) sit or lay firmly on the surface you're at, close your eyes and focus ONLY on your breathing. Let your lungs fill up with the oxygen, hold it for just a moment then let it out. I want you to only focus on filling your abdominal with the air, then slowly feel it leaving. I want you to do this for several moments. You will notice that outside thoughts will enter your mind which is fine - let them enter but then let them go and redirect your focus back to your breath.

Congratulations, you just practiced mindfulness!

The point of this exercise is I want you to be in the moment. I want you to be present with yourself and focus on what is taking place right this second as you are reading this post. I want you to be okay in your current situation right now.  You are probably dealing with so many curve balls in your life right now and are probably faced with so many decisions and you may not know which one to make.

Listen, that is okay.

I want you to recognize how strong you are. I want you to not beat yourself up. I want you to stop comparing yourself to others, stop comparing yourself to friends you see on the internet - JUST STOP! Stop comparing, stop wishing things were different. Just be. Be okay. Be okay that you are home right now no matter what is happening out there. Even if you're scared, even if you do not know what your next move will be - just be okay in your current state   I want you to recognize the good in this.

"Sarah, are you saying there is good in all of this craziness right now?!?!"

YES!!! I am a firm believer that there is GOOD IN EVERY BAD SITUATION that happens to us YOU HAVE TO LOOK FOR IT.

I am not dismissing the seriousness on this situation or any other difficult situations because this is serious.

Think for a moment, did you ever in the past wished you had more time to spend with your kids, or time to clean out that cluttered cabinet you just haven't gotten around to because you have been so tired from your daily activities? Have you been wanting to slow down and have a pot of coffee in the mornings or do a morning work out? Now you have 'that time' that you were looking for or made an excuse saying you did not have. You can do these things right now and you can enjoy them! Are your kids driving you up a wall? Remember when you said you wish that you could spend more time with them? Now it's your opportunity to do so. You can spend your entire day with your children, your dogs, your spouse,ect.  

It is so easy to get caught up in how terrible things are that we overlook the good things that come from a bad situation. Listen, we do not get to pick what our blessings look like or how they will come to us. It just does not work that way. Sitting and dwelling about how horrible things are will not make you feel any better. Why waste so much energy by turning it into something negative when you can use it for productivity? If you sit and have a self pity party for yourself then you are not going to want to do get out of bed in the mornings and do anything!

Have you ever thought about what you prayed or wished for? Has it been patience? Productivity? Understanding? Being a more positive person?  NOW you can be all of these things you've hoped to be. Challenge yourself to stay patient through all of these difficult times, look for the positive in  every single day. Try that new recipe out that you've been wanting to try, read that book you have been wanting to read but just haven't gotten around to. Go organize that closet you have been putting off. During this time I hope that you see your value so much more than you ever have before and I hope you actually go and BE the things you have been hoping to be. Is it going to be easy? HECK NO! Anything worth having never comes easy, but you can work on getting there. 

Maybe you are on the opposite side of things and you are still working while having your children at home or trying to scramble to make meals or whatever it could be.. Listen to me, ASK FOR HELP and do not be ashamed or feel like you are being a burden by doing so because we are all going through it. 

You are allowed to struggle but what you are not allowed to do is sit in it. You are not allowed to dwell on it. You are not allowed to throw a 'poor me pity party' because guess what? We are all going through it. Your determination of who you are is how you show up in times of crisis.

For myself, I know my superpower is positvitiy. I am clinging to that positivity during these times and I am using it to shine a light on others who need it. 

I now challenge you to ask yourself what is my superpower and how am I using it to help others during this time?

What It Means To Be A Part Of The Volunteer State

My personal experience with the tornadoes:

On March 3, 2020 Middle Tennessee experience what was considered one of the worst tornadoes ever in history.   An EF-3/EF-4 tornado took landfall in Davidson County,  Wilson County,  and Putman County leaving many homeless and without power for almost an entire week. The updated death statistics sit at 25 with over 150 people injured.

When I personally heard the news the next morning and saw the damage that have been done my jaw  immediately dropped to the floor. Businesses were destroyed, there were families and their pets that were left without a place to call home  I was heartbroken for everyone who had to experience this.  The city that I spend 40+ hours in every week has seen such a horrific devastation in just a matter of minutes.

After viewing more of the damage and letting my mind mediate on each destruction photo i took in, I felt a heavy burden on my heart that kept picking  at me over and over.  "I have to help.. i do not know how just yet but my city needs me."  

I took to social media (naturally, right?) to venture out to see what were the possibilities to provide whatever type of service I could give.  I was overwhelmed with opportunities of volunteering labor,time, and the option of donating goods and money. I pulled my debit card out and right away to help with the animals but I just felt like that wasn't enough. 

I got a bright idea a few hours after obsessing over an idea. "A donation drive. There are so many people who would be willing to help but they just don't want to or they can't make the drive; I work in north Nashville so this is brilliant!  I could take up donated goods and take them to the animal shelters and other appropriate donation drop off locations."

I posted my idea on social media and the next morning I had a good friend reached out saying that she could help. We delegated a plan, I made the art content and less than half a day it was posted for all of social media to see. In just TWO HOURS I already had a trunk full of pet food,  baby food and supplies, and cleaning supplies. I packed these items away in my trunk and immediately went to research on drop off locations.  After deciding my first destination I configured that I will wait another day to give our neighbors a chance to drop off more goods.

Two days later on that Friday, my entire trunk and back seat was filled with  supplies.  I organized everything and then made my afternoon journey to the animal shelter. Once I arrived at the front lobby I saw that it was full of bags of food, leashes, beds, kennels- you name it, they had it. I gave my name to the lady at the front desk and she sent someone out to help me unload.  I was blown away, animals play such a huge part in my life. I was in tears seeing people pouring in with more supplies to contribute to the already over flowing stash. 

"I'm just glad I can help," I said to the gentleman thanking me as he was helping me unload my car. 

"So many precious fur babies out here are just now coming up from the rubble, unsure of where their owners are and confused of why what used to be their home is no longer standing. I would save every single one of them if I could. "

That is when my stomach knotted,  I can't save every single one of them and that is what is breaking my heart...

Off to Lebanon I went. As I got off on the exit I took a detour just to see how bad it really was. There were piles of rubble of what used to be homes, signs of businesses stuck on top of what used to be their roof, power lines were still hanging by a thread. It looked like it was straight out of a movie, but it wasn't.... this was real life. The weather was bright and gorgeous,  you'd never thought a tornado came through just a.few short days ago until you saw the destruction.

I found my way to the fire station with the rest of my supplies.  I remember reading on Facebook people were complaining about Wilson County not getting any air time on television and the worries that they were getting swept under the rug. However,  that was not the case.  I arrived at the fire station and had to wait in line to unload my items. Volunteers were everywhere shorting everything by categories and helping others unload their vehicles. I pulled up and the gentlemen noticed my emergency tags right away. He asked me what service and I told him I was an ex 911 operator. He thanked me for my prior service as I thanked him for his and helped me unload.

"This is amazing,  thank you for coming all the way from Murfreesboro. "

"Of course,  we're neighbors we take care of one another, "I responded. 

At that point in time it didn't matter what religion or political party you belonged to, it didn't matter what background you came from or what type of education you had - we were all one coming together helping our neighbors in need.

As I drove off, I watched people board the bus at the police department to help volunteer and clean up the hard impacted areas. Mothers,  fathers, adults my age, and even kids were formed in long lines so eager to volunteer their labor to help their community.

I continued to browse around the small city, the Walmart was completely roofless, fast food joints blown to shreds. I couldn't help but think how grateful i was to know that these people are getting the help they deserve.

I got back home, still high from the adrenaline from helping tornado victims, logged into social media and what did I see? So much negativity.  People bashing the news for what counties they show the most and this and that. It took all I had to stay quiet .

I couldn't help but wonder WHY are you spending so much time complaining on social media? Instead, you could take that energy and put it towards helping these people. If that town is like your second home and means as much to you like you claim it does you wouldn't be posting that, you would be out there doing  what ever it is you can to help!!!!!!!! 

People are so quick to make excuses on why they can't do this or that but sure can make a negative post in like half a second. I'm not sorry for saying this: praying is not enough. You can't just say you'll pray for Nashville and go about your normal day.   There are people dead, homes and businesses destroyed, animals lost and all you got is "praying for you". No, you get out there, do what you can to help and after you do all you can you then pray for them and find more ways to help these people. THAT is how prayer works.. but that is another topic for another day. 

I hope this leaves you inspired.  If you're an outsider of Tennessee I hope this helps paint a picture of what being a true Tennessean is about. We come from all throughout the hills, the valleys, the mountains- everywhere just to help our neighbors. We give so much love until we don't have anymore, then we fill our cups up and give it all over again. We take care of our own, and that is what makes us Nashville Strong. 

About The Author: Sarah McMahan

Hello there friends!

My name is Sarah for those of you who do not know me and I am so glad you are here to see what my big news is all about!

I will start with a little background information in case you're wondering, "WHO IS THIS CHICK AND WHY IS SHE CALLING HERSELF A 'SASSHOLE'?!"  

It's simple, I like to say what is on my mind and sometimes I get these crazy ideas that others actually enjoy hearing it. I was born in Nashville and raised in Murfreesboro. I graduated high school with honors and went off to attended college at The University of Tennessee - Chattanooga where I earned a Bachelor's degree in Criminal Justice and a minor in Legal Studies. I am a sister of Kappa Delta Sorority (shout out to all my Greek Life peeps). I currently reside in 'The Boro' and enjoy the lovely drive down the road to Nashville where I work with the State in the Court System. I love wine and food. My dogs are my life, and I am a huge HP and Disney enthusiasts. Disney just makes the world a happier place. Oh, and mermaids are my spirit animal. 

I have had a bunch of downtime in the last few months as my life begins to pivot on to the next chapter. I picked up reading my non fiction and historic fiction novels again which lead me to rediscover my love for writing. 

I have always been an aspiring author. I was writing short stories and books since elementary school inspired by events that were currently happening in my life, music I listened to, and television shows I was a fan of. I then became a part of the journalism staff all throughout middle and high school; my junior and seniors years of high school I was editor. Throughout college my favorite assignments were writing those crazy papers that most students loathed. I was challenged tremendously in my legal research and writing classes which just made me dive deeper in love for writing. 

 Writing has always been my way of letting go of reality and entering my own little world which is why I am so excited to pick it back up. One day I hope to become that author I have always dreamed of being and to share all of these crazy, creative ideas going on in my head with the world! 

I have started this personal development blog to challenge my writing skills! There are so many experiences I have had in my life and I want to share the wisdom with you all - some good, others bad, but there is always a great lesson at the end of it. I also feel like we can learn from each other and grow together to expand our maximum potential in life. I will be sharing different perspectives on a plethora of different topics.  I'll also share some fun history facts, inspirational messages, great food recipes,  fashion and make up tips, as well as different life experiences that may fall into the agenda. I hope that you find this entertaining yet inspiring and that it helps you in any aspect that you're in need of assistance with in your life.

Please share this blog with your family and friends and feel free to always contribute  feedback in the comment sections.

So without further due let's get started!!!