Jakki was feeling a bit blue this holiday season. The tree was up, the cookies are made, but she was thinking of friends who were laid off, whose jobs may be changing, and most days she doesn’t like watching TV or reading the paper. She’s sad for friends going through illness and loss.
She’s having a hard time wagging her tail.
This weekend, she heard a song that sang to her:
“Just because it’s X-mas doesn’t mean your heart don’t hurt Just because it’s X-mas, doesn’t mean there’s peace on earth”
This reminded her that sometimes, it’s OK to not be OK.
Humans (and dogs) are complex and multifaceted. It’s possible to feel joy and gratitude for the memories and connections we have, while also feeling sadness and grief for the challenges and losses we face.
If this sounds familiar, Jakki hopes that you can find a supportive environment where you feel safe to express these feelings. She hopes this will bring you the gift of resilience: to navigate through tough times and appreciate moments more deeply.
And finally, she hopes you’ll be okay to have mixed feelings. It’s a sign of your humanity and capacity to experience life in all its richness.