I know you’ve seen those videos on the internet of people having a:

Complete Meltdown

Was it mine?!? Go ahead, tell me. Probably not, but figured I’d inquire.

I’ve seen the posts that people make poking fun at those kind of videos. Like okay…the person went, turned on their camera, and then started crying. Then they had the nerve to get up and hit stop recording. They are so:

Dramatic

I challenge your perception of that. Why? Cause I have definitely cried on video. So, hmph. I don’t intentionally start a video then begin crying. I will begin recording a video and talking out loud about my challenges and feelings. As this is happening, I start to unravel more and more and guess what will often happen:

Tears

I just let the mascara run down my face. I will keep talking and expressing my feelings and then the salty rainstorm pouring from my eyes will cease. The release feels really good, eventually. Even if I don’t feel seen and understood by others – I am able to give myself that gift. Talking to others can be helpful, but I have experienced their flakiness. This is not a dig at anyone, but an observation from a collection of encounters. Having the ability to hold your own self is:

Empowering

It breaks the need for another person to pick up your phone call or come to your rescue. It’s not wise to have that level of dependency – cause if they are not around….then what? You can certainly call an emergency hotline to share your heavy experiences and get an outside opinion – I’ve tapped into services such as that and found it to be very helpful. Nevertheless, you have to:

Hang Up & Deal

with the dark shades of your life. It’s not going to always be bright and cheery – the weather can’t even give us that. So why do we poke fun at those who are expressing heaviness online. Yes, some are cappin’. But get this…we’re getting that with the peeps laughing on video – when just before they were sobbing their eyes out.

Let’s break out the box of gotta be:

Bubbly

It’s okay to color with black and grey. The shadows give depth and dimension – and better yet create space for true:

Human Connection

Loss and grief is part of life – we can’t get away from it. Do we really want to though? In the thick of turmoil we may have that deep desire to escape, but when we journey through it we’ll be able to help those going through the:

Yuck & Muck

You can bust out as a darker shade and still carry cheer. You can be the black and grey crayon and still cherish the bright hues of life.

I hope you lean into self soothing in God’s presence; creating space to reflect on the life experiences you may have buried in a sunshine yellow crayon box. As you break out, you may feel straight up:

CRAY

That’s to be expected. Use this as your opportunity to:

Create Radical Art Yourself

Grab a blank canvas – the medium of your choice – and express. Even if it’s you recording on camera. If you’re not ready to personally vlog and laugh at yourself later – I get it.

Perhaps, my artistic expression can help you on your journey. I’d love to mail this featured card with a blank interior to the first person to comment “CRAY” below!

Express Yo’ Self,