Real Stories, Real Hope: Listener Emails That Inspire

Summary

Podcast Summary: "Real Stories, Real Hope: Listener Emails That Inspire"

Podcast Information

• Title: The Bobby Bones Show
• Host/Author: Premiere Networks
• Description: Listen to 'The Bobby Bones Show' by downloading the daily full replay.
• Episode: Real Stories, Real Hope: Listener Emails That Inspire
• Release Date: December 26, 2024

Note: While the provided transcript references "reallyno really" and "Four Things with Amy Brown," this summary aligns with the user's request to summarize "The Bobby Bones Show" episode based on the provided content.

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Introduction

In the episode titled "Real Stories, Real Hope: Listener Emails That Inspire," host Amy Brown delves into heartfelt stories shared by listeners who have faced and overcome significant challenges. The episode emphasizes community support, resilience, and the power of shared experiences to foster hope and healing.

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Listener Stories and Discussions

Colette's Journey: From Darkness to Light

• Timestamp: [03:00]

Colette shares her transformative experience following a divorce after 25 years of marriage and her children leaving for college. She likens her struggles to being lost in the depths of the ocean, feeling isolated and overwhelmed.

Notable Quote:

"He was my lighthouse. Jen is now a lighthouse for others going through a divorce."

Through her darkest times, Colette found strength in rediscovering her passions, such as dancing and traveling, and rebuilding her relationships with her children. Her story serves as an encouragement for listeners to seek out their own lighthouses—sources of guidance and support—that can help navigate through tumultuous periods.

Kristen's Battle with an Eating Disorder

• Timestamp: [07:06]

Kristen, a dedicated runner and pediatrician, opens up about her long struggle with an eating disorder masked by her disciplined exercise and dietary habits. Despite outward appearances of health and control, Kristen faced severe internal battles that culminated in a stress fracture and amenorrhea—a red flag for underlying disordered eating.

Notable Quote:

"Recovery is not linear, which will be the hardest thing for me."

Kristen details her path to acknowledgment and acceptance, emphasizing the importance of seeking professional help and the support of a strong community. Her vulnerability highlights the silent struggles many face and the courage it takes to seek help and work towards healing.

Sarah's Family Medical Struggles

• Timestamp: [20:24]

Sarah recounts a particularly challenging period marked by multiple medical emergencies within her family, including invasive surgeries, prolonged hospital stays, and the added responsibility of caring for a newborn. Despite the chaos, Sarah maintains a sense of gratitude for the excellent medical care and the support of her husband and children.

Notable Quote:

"You are not alone."

Sarah's message underscores the importance of recognizing and appreciating the positive aspects amidst adversity. She seeks guidance on maintaining gratitude and balancing the acknowledgment of her struggles without becoming overwhelmed by them.

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Insights and Conclusions

Amy Brown's Reflections: Throughout the episode, Amy Brown emphasizes the theme that "feelings should ride, not drive." This concept, inspired by Annie F. Downs, suggests that while it's natural to experience a range of emotions during difficult times, it's crucial to allow positive emotions to coexist with negative ones without letting the latter take control.

Notable Quote:

"Just keep swimming. Just keep swimming."

Amy relates this mantra to the listeners' experiences, encouraging small, consistent efforts towards healing and progress, much like taking baby steps toward the shore when feeling lost at sea.

Community and Support: A recurring motif in the episode is the strength found in community and shared experiences. Whether it's through listener emails, workshops, or therapy, connecting with others provides invaluable support and a sense of belonging, reinforcing that no one has to navigate their challenges alone.

Final Encouragement: Amy concludes with a message of hope and resilience, assuring listeners that despite the ongoing struggles, recovery and improvement are attainable. She celebrates the listeners' courage in sharing their stories and reaffirms her belief in their ability to overcome adversity.

Notable Quote:

"You are mentally tough. I know that because I've done one."

Drawing from her own experiences, Amy reinforces the idea that mental toughness developed through overcoming challenges can be a powerful tool in facing future obstacles.

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Key Takeaways

1. Resilience Through Community: Sharing personal stories and connecting with others undergoing similar experiences can provide significant emotional support and foster healing.
2. Balancing Emotions: It's important to allow both positive and negative emotions to coexist without letting negative feelings dominate.
3. Seeking Help is Strength: Acknowledging struggles and seeking professional guidance is a courageous step towards recovery.
4. Gratitude Amidst Adversity: Focusing on what one is grateful for can help maintain perspective and resilience during tough times.
5. Continual Growth: Healing is an ongoing process, and each step forward contributes to personal growth and improved well-being.

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Conclusion

"Real Stories, Real Hope: Listener Emails That Inspire" serves as a poignant reminder of the human capacity for resilience and the importance of community support. Through heartfelt narratives and thoughtful discussions, Amy Brown not only highlights the challenges people face but also celebrates their victories, no matter how small. This episode is a testament to the power of shared experiences in fostering hope and inspiring listeners to persevere through their own struggles.

Transcript

[Unknown Speaker]

Are you still quoting 30 year old movies? Have you said cool beans in the past 90 days? Do you think Discover isn't widely accepted? If this sounds like you, you're stuck in the past. Discover is accepted at 99% of places that take credit cards nationwide, and every time you make a purchase with your card, you automatically earn cash back. Welcome to the Now It Pays to Discover. Learn more at discover.com credit card based on the February 2024 Nielsen report.

[Jason Alexander]

I'm Jason Alexander.

[Peter Tilden]

And I'm Peter Tilden.

[Jason Alexander]

And together our mission on the really.

[Peter Tilden]

No really podcast is to get the.

[Jason Alexander]

True answers to life's baffling questions.

[Peter Tilden]

Like why the bathroom door doesn't go all the way to the floor, what's in the museum a failure? And does your dog truly love you? We have the answer.

[Jason Alexander]

Go to reallynoreally.com and register to win.

[Peter Tilden]

$500, a guest spot on our podcast or a limited edition sign. Jason Bobblehead the Really no really podcast.

[Jason Alexander]

Follow us on the iHeartRadio app, Apple Podcasts, or wherever you get your podcasts.

[Amy Brown]

Little food for your soul.

[Jason Alexander]

Life ain't always pretty, but hey, it's pretty beautiful.

[Amy Brown]

Laugh a little more than t. Tighten up your course, said EK.

[Jason Alexander]

You're kicking it with four Things with Amy Brown.

[Amy Brown]

Happy Thursday. Four Things. Bam. Amy here. And I'm gonna throw a question out there for y'all because I went to the Write youe Story workshop that Ali Fallon and Donald Miller put on and a few listeners were there. There was probably about 40 people total and this room was full of laughter, joy, courage, strength. I saw it all. But then as people stories started to come out, you realized, wow, there's some unimaginable stories here and people are carrying these heavy burdens and I, I just wasn't in awe of them and the journey that they've been on. And so my question for you is, are you going through something hard right now? Like, are you feeling confused by it all? Like you've just been thrown out into the middle of the ocean all alone, wondering if you're ever going to find your way back to shore? Because I did some processing this weekend and that's what it has felt like for me the last couple of years. I have had to call in the Coast Guard, and that's what I've been doing with all the work and the therapy and all the things. Like, those were my people that came to me in the middle of the ocean and have been slowly helping me find my way back. And this podcast is a community that is here for each other. And meeting listeners of the podcast at the Write youe Story workshop helped show me that. That we're together in this. We're not alone. Again, I especially feel this when I get to meet y'all face to face and when I read your emails that you send in. So today's episode is from our community. All things are emails from listeners that are currently in hard times or have made it to the other side. So, yep, these are stories from someone just like you that listens to this podcast. And I just know that it will be an encouragement to all of you in some way, shape or form. But before I get into the emails, I want to share something from Annie F. Downs. She's a friend of the podcast. She's come on multiple times, and she put up a sermon. I don't even know when it's from, but I only recently heard it, so it might be old. But she was talking about how feelings should ride, not drive. And she was making the point that when we are grieving or going through something hard, that we can allow our grief to ride alongside our joy. So just because we are grieving doesn't mean that there isn't any room for joy. And just because we are joyful doesn't mean that all of our grief is gone. They can ride side by side. And I just love that so much because that's what I was feeling in that room, those 40 people, some of those stories that I was hearing, some of the stories I hear from you when I think about my own life and things riding side by side, I just. I just love it so much. Feelings should ride, not drive. And it's when we put them in the driver's seat that they get control of the whole situation. And we really need them to ride side by side. So thank you, Annie F. Downs, for that. And now we'll get into the emails. All right, we're starting off with an email that's gonna offer hope. Cause I feel like that's a good place to start. It is from Colette, and here's what she had to say. Amy, thank you for the fabulous interview with Jen Hatmaker. This episode really spoke to me. In 2016, my children went off to college. And after 25 years of marriage, I got divorced. Like Jen, I fell into the depths of the ocean. It was so dark, I couldn't tell which way led to the surface. I had to sell my home and move. I remember lying on the floor with half packed boxes, sobbing. I didn't have any friends I was completely alone. It was the darkest time in my life. It took me three years to grieve. In this time I rediscovered who I was. I am so happy I went through all of that darkness. I packed a house and drove a large U haul all by myself. I learned how strong and capable I am in my healing. I took a dance class. I remembered how I loved to dance. I discovered I loved to travel. I made friends and grew closer to my children. I am enjoying the sunshine and the woman I am today. I thank God for helping me along the dark path and for leading me to the new path that I am on. He was my lighthouse. Jen is now a lighthouse for others going through a divorce. I hope anyone going through a dark time knows that better days are ahead and to look for the lighthouses around them. Let your light shine so others can see their way out of the dark. Timber Hawkeye, your friend Colette so Colette, thank you so much for sharing this email. And like I said, this first note, this first story is to be of encouragement that Colette was out in the ocean. She said she was in the depths of the ocean. It was so dark she couldn't tell which way led to the surface. But she eventually found her way out and I love that she's encouraging us to look for the lighthouses. Thanks for sharing your story Colette. This next story Note Email I feel like this is definitely a story because it shares so much and I am so thankful for all that Kristen put in here and and I replied back to her and said are you sure if I share all of this with everybody? And she replied back, I am okay with you reading as much or as little that you think is helpful on the podcast and you can use my name. No problem with that. So thank you Kristen for sharing this story and I'm just going to go ahead and get into the note she sent me now.

[Jason Alexander]

I'm Jason Alexander.

[Peter Tilden]

And I'm Peter Tilden. And together on the really Know really.

[Jason Alexander]

Podcast, our mission is to get the true answers to life's baffling questions, like.

[Peter Tilden]

Why they refuse to make the bathroom door go all the way to the floor.

[Jason Alexander]

We got the answer.

[Peter Tilden]

Will space junk block your cell signal? The astronaut who almost drowned during a spacewalk gives us the answer. We talk with the scientist who figured out if your dog truly loves you and the one bringing back the woolly mammoth. Plus, does Tom Cruise really do his own stunts? His stuntman reveals the answer and you never know who's going to drop by.

[Jason Alexander]

Mr. Bryan Cranston is with us.

[Peter Tilden]

How are you? Hello my friend Wayne Knight about Jurassic Park.

[Jason Alexander]

Wayne Knight welcome to really no really sir. Bless you all.

[Peter Tilden]

Hello Newman. And you never know when Howie Mandel might just stop by to talk about judging.

[Jason Alexander]

Really? That's the opening really? No really? Yeah, really? No really. Go to reallynoreally.com and register to win.

[Peter Tilden]

$500, a guest spot on our podcast or a limited edition sign Jason Bobblehead.

[Jason Alexander]

It's called really no really and you can find it on the iHeartRadio app on Apple Podcasts or wherever you get your podcasts.

[Amy Brown]

Hey Amy, Longtime listener to both the Bobby Bones show and the Four Things podcast and second time writer into the show. The first time I messaged you was back in May 2020 after my mom passed away from cancer. My story was mentioned on your podcast with Robin Roberts about making your mess your message. Through therapy and podcasts like yours, I was able to learn from others. My grief made me a stronger person and I'm now helping others going through similar stories. Fast forward two years later and I'm back in therapy. Why, you may ask? I have an eating disorder. My story started similar to many, adding in a little more exercise here, a little more clean eating there, less and less rest days, avoiding desserts. That simple phrase I have an eating disorder is something that I've skirted around for eight years. I may have issues with food, but I eat three meals per day and even snacks. I don't binge or purge. I'm praised for my diligent exercise habits and clean eating. In the past few years, with the help of Outweigh and just more information generally, I've started to acknowledge my disordered eating habits, even working with dietitians here and there. Up until this week though, I had not fully acknowledged that I have an eating disorder. What happened to change this? Well, here we go. And sorry in advance for rambling. I am a runner. I love running. It's my daily therapy. This passion can be a dangerous habit, especially when you're not fueling enough. Especially when you consistently cut out carbs from your meals. It can be a dangerous habit when you start strength training, but in reality you add on a 30 minute strength workout to your already hour long run. In addition to the focus on exercise, my brain is constantly thinking about what I'm going to eat and when. If it's not 10am, no snack. Even if I'm lightheaded standing up, everything I eat is perfectly tracked in my calorie counter that was downloaded on my phone in 2010 and I probably haven't missed a day. Do I eat more for the amount of activity? Absolutely not. Most of my meals are carb free. I mean, who doesn't love a good salad? Zucchini noodle, spaghetti squash contraption. It's healthy. Go me. Knowing I needed to feel better, I started working with a sports dietitian. Like I mentioned, I'd met with several dietitians in the past, all of whom told me eat more. Thank you Captain Obvious. However, they were just doing their job and didn't know all the background noise happening in my head. No one really knew about the background noise. My sisters and a few friends knew that I was struggling a little bit, but no one knew the constant thoughts of exercise and food. Yes, even marathon training. I was worried about eating too much. Back to my dietitian. She is amazing. Literally had me starting with adding three dried apricots to my morning snack. Then I'd add something else. She would phrase it like, you need this food to fuel this activity or recover from this run. She asked about adding in carbs to my dinners and I laughed a bit. I had spent eight years adapting recipes to omit the carbs. But I followed her advice and slowly started adding in things. Plus, I was running 50 to 60 miles a week. I probably no definitely needed carbs. My training for this marathon was going perfectly. I was fueling better than I ever had been, which was still very under fueled. Here's a shocker. When I started eating more carbs, my runs felt less hard and I recovered better. I was following my training plan perfectly. Things were going great until two weeks before my marathon day one of my taper I had finished all of the long runs. I felt a weird pain in my left leg. A few hours later, I couldn't even walk. A few doctor's visits and an MRI later, I have the injury runner's fear, the stress fracture. I met with a sports medicine doctor who is also a good friend of mine. We go over what the next few weeks will look like. No running, no marathon. Yes, you can cross train. He asks me, kristen, when was your last period? I just stare at him. It's been seven years. He nods and asks me if I'm still working with my dietitian and if I have a therapist. Disclaimer. I work in healthcare. I'm a pediatrician. I work with athletes who have stress fractures who lose their periods. I know why it's harmful. I give them fantastic advice about balance and fueling your body. Have I listened to any of this advice Insert laughing emoji here. Fast forward to therapy. We talk for our hour. Catching up from the last time I saw her. The sadness about my injury, how I can't run for eight weeks. The sadness I feel at the end. She says, kristin, what do you want to do? Do you want help? Try this on your own. I asked her what she thought. She thought I needed help. I agreed. She said, I don't specialize in eating disorders, but here are a few names. I stared at her. Me, I don't have an eating disorder. I just have food issues and I run a lot. Does everyone who runs a lot have an eating disorder? Absolutely not. Does everyone who eats healthy have an eating disorder? Absolutely not. Does someone who hasn't taken a full day off of exercise in almost a year have an eating disorder? Despite injuries, illness, vacations? Maybe? Probably. I do eat. I love food. I love cooking, meal prepping, fueling my body. I love to indulge in ice cream, scones, wine on occasion. But those things always fit into my nice neat box of so many calories per day. I also love movement from running to biking to hiking to tennis. But there is a balance. I can't go on vacation without planning when and how I'm going to work out. If I visit my sisters for a weekend, I am thinking of what time I'll be home so that I can get my workout in. I have all the bad habits that you've mentioned before, weighing myself daily counting calories. But two days ago I deleted my calorie counter. I think about redownloading it several times a day and I still know just about what I'm putting in my body. But hey, at least that's a step. I start eating disorder therapy next week. I'm terrified. I'm a perfectionist, a people pleaser, a type, triple A personality. I always have a plan. With this. I literally now have no plan. I question constantly if I can do this, but I know I can. How so many others have you, many of the people you've had on your podcast? The list goes on. Recovery is not linear, which will be the hardest thing for me. But after eight years of disordered eating, I'm ready for my brain space and my life back. I am ready to go on vacation and move if I want, but not to have to plan my day around it. I will continue running whenever I'm cleared to start doing so. I'll continue moving. I'll continue to prioritize health. But I'm so very ready to not have constant thoughts about food and exercise I'm ready to enjoy time with friends and family. Most importantly, I'm ready to have me back and my period. I guess that's a good thing too. I want to say thanks for the Out Way podcast and four things for telling your story. For being transparent that recovery is not linear. Similar to when I worked through losing my mom, I will work through this and then help others help other runners go through the same thing. There's a book I ordered called Running in Silence. This Strive for perfection and using eating as the control is not uncommon. Four things I'm grateful for the support system I have in my life My sister and my friends My dietitian My therapist Sunshine It's a beautiful 70 degree day, which never happens in October in Wisconsin. Coffee and the fact that once Halloween is over, I'll find it acceptable to start watching Christmas movies. Your friend Kristen from Madison, Wisconsin. P.S. i saw pretty Woman on Broadway this weekend. You would love it. Ah, Kristen, that was quite the story. And you are entering into a really exciting time in your life. And I know that you're scared, but you're here. You've got your coast guard, you've got your life rafts, you're building your team and you're going to get to shore. Like you're just going to get there and you will get yourself back. You'll get to know yourself in a way you never knew. And sometimes I still find myself on that journey. In regards to other things, I do feel secure in my eating disorder recovery. But some things just never leave you and you have to remind yourself of that. But you'll get all the tools that you need and you're at the beginning of a beautiful thing. Like, I can see so much awesomeness ahead for your life and the brain space you're going to get back and the vacations you're going to get to enjoy with your friends and family, girls, nights out. Like all the different things that you're going to get to do where your brain isn't constantly thinking about how many calories are in the food. And I feel you. I remember the day that Lisa, Lisa Haim, who co founded Outweigh with Me and she has a whole program for eating disorder recovery called Fork the Noise. Because it's the noise in your head. She told me, amy, you have to delete the calorie counting app. Get rid of it. And I thought, no, I'm in recovery. I'm good. I just like to know what I'm putting in my body. But really, I was clinging onto that last final thing of that control and that knowing. And it was so painful. I remember not being able to sleep the first night, and I would text Lisa and I'd say, I don't know what to do. I can't stop thinking about how I wasn't able to enter in that I had this food that probably had an eighth of an egg, and I can't calculate how many calories are in the eighth of an egg without the app. So just know. You know, the theme of this episode here is you are not alone. And it seems like you were out in the ocean, but you were finding your way back to shore. And you've got your life rafts and you've got your gratitude. Thank you for sharing. Four things that you're thankful for. Your support system was one of them. Your sisters, your friends, your dietitian, your therapist. Those are your life rafts, and you've got them. So use them. And know that it's not going to be totally easy. Every day will not be. It's going to be challenging. But one day, just like I feel, I felt like out in the ocean, and certain things, I'm back at shore. Other things, I'm still in the middle of the ocean. But one day, you're gonna reach the sand and you're gonna put your feet and feel it, and you're gonna be like, oh, I'm here. I made it. I did this. So you can do it. I know you can do hard things, especially if you've trained for a marathon, because a marathon is 75% mental, and I know that because I've done one. And. And you know, I did it for all the wrong reasons, too. I did it in college, and I thought I would have told everybody at the time. Yeah, I'm just doing it because I want to run a marathon and I love to run. Fact is, I wanted to do it to lose weight, and that didn't work. I ended up gaining weight. That's a whole nother story for a whole nother day. But you are mentally tough. I know it. And I can't wait to hear an update from you soon. Thanks again, Kristin, for sharing your story with us.

[Jason Alexander]

I'm Jason Alexander.

[Peter Tilden]

And I'm Peter Tilden. And together on the really Know really.

[Jason Alexander]

Podcast, our mission is to get the true answers to life's baffling questions, like.

[Peter Tilden]

Why they refused to make the bathroom door go all the way to the floor.

[Jason Alexander]

We got the answer.

[Peter Tilden]

Will space junk block your cell signal? The astronaut who almost drowned during a spacewalk gives us the answer. We talk with the scientist who figured out if your dog truly loves you and the one bringing back the woolly mammoth. Plus, does Tom Cruise really do his own stunts? His stuntman reveals the answer, and you never know who's gonna drop by.

[Jason Alexander]

Mr. Bryan Cranston is. What's up?

[Peter Tilden]

How are you?

[Amy Brown]

Hello.

[Peter Tilden]

My friend Wayne Knight about Jurassic Park.

[Jason Alexander]

Wayne Knight, welcome to really. No really Sir. Bless you all.

[Peter Tilden]

Hello Newman. And you never know when Howie Mandel might just stop by to talk about judging.

[Jason Alexander]

Really?

[Peter Tilden]

That's the opening.

[Jason Alexander]

Really?

[Peter Tilden]

No.

[Jason Alexander]

Really? Yeah, really? No really. Go to reallynoreally.com and register to win.

[Peter Tilden]

$500 a guest spot on our podcast or or a limited edition signed Jason Bobblehead.

[Jason Alexander]

It's called really? No really and you can find it on the iHeartRadio app on Apple Podcasts or wherever you get your podcasts.

[Amy Brown]

Next note is from Sarah. Hey Amy, I'm in the midst of a difficult season. We've been dealing with numerous medical issues in my family. Invasive surgery for my husband, multiple viruses and illnesses for my oldest, including being home with a fever, several trips to the ER and a week in the PICU for my newborn. Yes, I did just have a baby, too, all in less than three months. This is what we've been dealing with. All of this also led to an incredible amount of stress, sleeplessness, and anxiety. Everyone is or is going to be okay. Very thankful. And we have amazing insurance and we're in a place that we aren't financially burdened by all of this. Again, very thankful. And we live in an area with incredible medical facilities and specialists, so we're receiving amazing care. Grateful. And I know I'm beyond blessed to have a husband and these tiny humans to love and care for. However, I'm tired, frustrated, and defeated. I've made it a point to look for things to be grateful for, and it has helped me keep life in perspective. But I'm tired of doctors and insurance and hospitals and coughs and medicine. I'm just hurting. It feels like we'll be in this season of illness and stress forever. I know you like to say just keep swimming when things are hard, but I'd love to hear your perspectives on remaining grateful when you're tired. Also, how do you balance acknowledging your struggles but not wallowing in them? Things I'm thankful for. Work, besties, walks with my dog, flannel shirts, and coffee. I'm always thankful for coffee. Your friend, Sarah. Okay, Sarah, I want to refer back to what I shared from Annie F. Downs in the Little Intro and that is all about this stuff can ride side by side. You have some heaviness going on right now, but you can also have gratitude and joy and be thankful for things. And I don't know how hard it was for you to come up with the four things you were thankful for there. Your work besties, your dog, your flannel shirts, and your coffee. But maybe some days you come up with just one. And also, I want to eliminate the word forever here. You said, I feel like we'll be in the season of illness and stress forever. And I know what that feels like. It is definitely a word I participated in. Like, I've used it. But we don't need to do that. I think we need to eliminate words like that because that will keep us in the discomfort longer than is necessary. But you're allowed to feel some really big feelings right now because you have a lot of really big things going on. And like Kat likes to say, there are days where you're going to have the day that you need to have, and it might be one of those days where you're tired and frustrated and defeated. Okay, have that. But we don't want to get stuck there. So what are some things that you can do to get unstuck? And there is a Chinese proverb. It is, it is better to light a candle than to curse the darkness. And I feel like if you just, you know, get mad at all these different things that are happening to you, you'll get stuck in that darkness and you'll just be. You're on that hamster wheel and it's spinning and you're not going anywhere. But what are some little candles that you can light along the way? And for me, some of the candles I see is like light a candle to eliminate the word forever. Because this is a season. It will not last forever. I speak from experience on that in multiple areas, from, you know, dealing with terminally ill parents to adopted children and other very personal things that are going on in my life right now. And I know that they are not going to last forever. So we're going to light that candle to eliminate a word like that, and we're going to light a little candle with the gratitude that you're already doing. And you have so much to be thankful for with your insurance and the medical care that you have. So maybe if you're really struggling for things, just concentrate on that, because some people do not have access to that type of care at all whatsoever. Are there times where you can sneak away and put yourself first, can you light a little candle by taking a walk? I know with a husband that had surgery and a newborn, that might seem completely impossible, so ignore this one if, if that cannot happen. But hopefully you have maybe some of those work besties that you could call upon to say, hey, would you be able to help me out tonight? Or you maybe have other family members or friends that could, could help you do get walks with your dog. I see here. So maybe use that time when you're with your dog to do some breathing exercise and knock out two birds with one stone on something like that. And just know that this difficult season is going to grow you and stretch you in ways that you didn't even know were possible. And you will heal from it as long as you want to put in the work to do so. And you're going to evolve and you're going to come out on the other side of stronger, better person and you're going to be able to be there for others that might be going through something super similar one day. And then also sometimes, like, how can you shift the perspective onto someone else? Like you did mention you have your tiny humans to love on and care for. Make sure you're doing your best to take care of yourself for them, but then think of ways that you can serve them and be there for them and maybe particularly step up and do something special for your kiddos when you're having one of those really dark, dark days. A little candle you can light is try to create a special moment with your kids or do something that would be awesome for them and it kind of can take it off of that, you know what I mean? Okay, I hope that helps. And I'm so sorry you're going through all of this, Sarah, but thank you for sharing this with our community. And I want you to know that you are not alone. And the just keep swimming comment, I want to reference that real quick because I feel like when we say that in the fifth thing like just keep swimming, it's almost like we're just saying it kind of jokingly because some days it just feels impossible to swim. And I love that we keep talking about water and the ocean and being out at sea and in the depths of it and just thrown out with no way back to shore and that swim you might. I'm not talking like, you know, start performing like Michael Phelps or anything. I'm just talking about maybe even like one little baby stroke to the direction towards shore. You know, it just is a funny thing for us to say is to quote you know, a fish from a movie. Just keep swimming. Just keep swimming. As sort of a way of just laughing about it too. Like, hey, we're out here. What, what are we going to do? But again, hugs to you and I hope that things get better real soon. Thanks for everyone that shared emails for this episode and y'all continue to email me for things with amybrownmail.com y'all are an amazing community full of people, and I love to see it.

[Jason Alexander]

I'm Jason Alexander.

[Peter Tilden]

And I'm Peter Tilden.

[Jason Alexander]

And together our mission on the really.

[Peter Tilden]

No really podcast is to get the.

[Jason Alexander]

True answers to life's baffling questions, like.

[Peter Tilden]

Why the bathroom door doesn't go all the way to the floor, what's in the museum a failure? And does your dog truly love you? We have the answer.

[Jason Alexander]

Go to reallynoreally.com and register to win.

[Peter Tilden]

$500, a guest spot on our podcast or a limited edition sign. Jason Bobblehead the Really no really Podcast.

[Jason Alexander]

Follow us on the iHeartRadio app, Apple Podcasts, or wherever you get your podcasts.