During the summer and fall of 2020 my Oak tree dropped a plethora of acorns daily for months. Years prior there was a three month “acorn dropping season”. Last year at times it felt overwhelming. I would sweep up the deck of acorns, rake up the acorns, use my special acorn gathering tool to collect the acorns. Immediately when I was done the acorns would rain down the same day as if I had done nothing. There were times of wondering…why is this happening. Times of frustration of continued acorn gathering. If a day of acorn gathering was missed it was not good as the shear bulk of acorns was a lot. It felt like it was never end because for a while it was never ending. This experience helped to stretch my patience. This experience helped to stretch my perseverance. This experience helped to stretch my “I can do this” muscle. It’s amazing how an ongoing shower of daily acorns over a months can try a person.

“When the world puts you in tough situations don’t say ‘Why me’ say ‘Try me.'” Unknown

So now that we are in Spring guess what? Nope the acorns are not dropping..yet. As I am out tending to my gardens and lawns there remnants of acorns that I thought I had gathered up. Yep . Acorns that I had visually observed being gathered are present. Then when I go to rake the grass and rake them up acorns it seems when I go back to a spot I thought was cleared there are LOTS more acorns. AARRGGHH.

Seems to me this is how life can be. There are times that a persistent, ongoing person, place, thing or acorn can keep coming at you. It’s like driving in an snow storm where the snow is coming at you. You think you are finished with dealing with the small persistent acorn or that you have driven out of the snow in your face and whoomp there it is. While I had frustration in the recurrent acorns after I expressed my frustration I settled in and got to work.

“Don’t be discouraged. It’s often the last key in the bunch that opens the lock.” Unknown

Here is where it gets really good. Ready? You have the power of choice of what you do and how you do it. Yep. You.

First begin with letting your feels be felt. Express them to get them outside of you. Talk to someone, talk to yourself, write or draw them down, do a physical activity. One of my friends has been cleaning the grout in her bathroom floor with a toothbrush. It helps. Do a little mindfulness. Clear your head. Breathe deep. Think about your plan of attack.

Ignoring or pretending there is not an issue will not work. Nope. There were days I tried to ignore the acorns as I was sliding all over my deck and lawn simply trying to walk. The acorns were in my life. That was a fact.

My manner is doing a little bit at a time on a regular basis. This works best for my personality. I have learned that I do not do well when I have to do something intense over a day. I burn out. I know other people who would pick one day a week to pick up their acorns. There were a few times I requested help from my peeps. You get to do you and be you with how you pick up your acorns.

Once I realized this is ongoing, to not be surprised when more acorns dropped, to expect they would do this AND that I did not need to resolve it all in the moment gave me peace. Yep peace. My spirit and soul settled. I’ve got this.

“Life is very interesting. In the end, some of your greatest pains, become your greatest strengths.” Drew Barrymore

So y’all remember this. Stuff will come your way. People, places, things, and acorns. There could be some giant, horrible hardships. There will be other stressors of smaller scale. When they happen start with you. Be you. Let your feels be felt. Get them outside of you in healthy ways. Make your plan of action to conquer your acorns. Ask others for help. Be kind to yourself. Be kind to others. If your acorns return, vent your aarrgghhness and then go on. Remember you are doing the best you can with who you are. You matter. You are the only you who will ever be.

May your keeping at it be with you💜

Photo by Kentaro Toma on Unsplash