ENOUGH Lemons Already!!!

I've always really hated that saying "When life gives you lemons make lemonade." How about "When life gives you peanuts, make peanut butter." I've been making lemonade and peanut butter all week. But yesterday a really big challenge came my way. My new job that I've been at barely a month let all the staff know that the agency is closing. They might be bought out by another agency (one I don't care for) or they may just close. I was crushed.

I hadn't even been on my RA medication for 1 week and now I have to job hunt all over again. I know I'll find something else, but it will take every spoon I have and then some. I'm also very sad to have to leave my clients, people I had just started to get to know.

As devastating as all this feels, it's helpful to remember a few important things.

1. It's ok if I don't make much money for a little bit. My husband's a hard worker with a good income. He busts his butt to support us, so that's a bit of pressure off. We won't starve and can pay our mortgage. 
2. Maybe this new job will be an even better fit?
3. The Plaquenil is helping and I'm feeling better than I was even when I was job hunting a month ago (and I'm sleeping much better, which makes a huge difference.)
4. I have love, encouragement and support of family and my husband.
5. I have some very good leads. My supervisor gave me 4 people to contact in my town about a job and I found another promising one on Indeed.com this morning.
6. I've done incredibly challenging things in the past and overcome a lot. I know I will in this case too.
7. I still gained good experience and met new people, even if I wasn't there as long as I'd hoped.
8. It sounds like I'll still have my job for about a month, so I still have a little money coming in. Not a lot, but it's better than nothing.
9. I was worried about working full time AND my body adjusting to the new medication all at the same time. Now I think I'll have a little bit more of a gap to adjust to the medication before working full time hours.
10. I have faith that everything happens for a reason. That's a comforting thought. I do believe there's a plan for all of us and that suffering comes when you try and figure it all out. Sometimes you just need to trust and be willing to do your best (while letting the rest go.) I've absolutely done my best and this situation is no reflection on me personally.

Try and have some faith and trust.

One more thing worth mentioning...

I honestly believe there's no such thing as a "horrible week" or even a "bad day." There are challenging moments and easier ones that all come and go. Even though this week as a whole felt especially challenging, it did have its bright spots.

My mom sent me this double orchid plant after I told her about my RA diagnosis.

It was a bright spot in my week.

A dear friend sent me this notebook with art that she did on the cover.

When I feel loved by those in my life and thought of it can make a world of difference. A text from my son can brighten my moments. Having coffee in the morning with my husband can start my day off right. All these things give me spoons and are so important when feeling overwhelmed by life.