Advice From Winston Me
January 29, 2008
Posted by brandy in i am slowly going crazy, i complain because I care, i pretend i know martial arts, i should be a cheerleader, it makes sense to me, it's always easier to say it than do it, just do what i say, learning, people i like, quote of the day, seriously, sometimes i get violent, the world according to me, when I go all Dr. Phil on you, when i say it anyway.
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January has been a hell-ish month. I’m not kidding. If there was a way to convey how much I’ve hated this month I would. But the best I have is my 13 year old self telling January it can just suck it. Suck it hard.
And now I’m giggling like a 13 year old. Because I said ’suck’ and ‘hard’ in the same sentence.
But let’s get back to January.
I’m not saying ALL Januaries are awful. Just this past one. I would do a recap of all the horrible and awful and stressful things that happened this month (many of which I didn’t write about because if I would have there would have been a new blogging award titled “Most de-fucking-pressing blog of all time” and I would have won. In a landslide.) but talking about hospital visits and break-ups and people I want to strangle until the color leaves their face just makes me angry again.
And I’m really working on not being angry.
But what I really want to say is this: I know I’m not alone. Lunch dates, phone conversations, well articulated posts, emails, text messages and facebook statuses all tell me that January hasn’t been kind to anyone. We’ve all suffered. Some (not me) far more than others. And I find that when I don’t know what to say to lessen pain or frustration, I will come back to the phrase that’s tacked up beside my computer:
“If you are going through hell, keep going“- Winston Churchill.
It’s one of my favourite quotes because it just makes sense to me. And reminds me that the only way to improve a situation, to relieve myself of my burdens, is to move forward. That when I’m sinking in awful and murky waters, I may not be able to control the situation but I can control what I do- I can keep moving. I’ve said it to friends over meals, family over trips to the hospital and typed it up in comments to many of you and I mean it.
With every inch of my heart.
Two days of January left. I can’t wait to dropkick this month and move on.
Ah Brandy, it’s so interesting to see so many people in the January doldrums. At least you are taking the right step, acknowledging what you can and can’t control and then building on what you can do…so many people fail to ever get to that crucial lesson and “get it”. One of the classes I teach is 7 Habits…the first thing is taking control of what you can…and letting go of what you can’t. I say, “i choose my attitude and energy” and I own them! Now go shake your groove thing in a fancy pair of heels and Sephora glamour and be glad you aren’t Amy Winehouse or Britney!
Two days and counting and only three till Friday. I am with you on that one. I mean I am sure this anti-hair brushing, non-makeup wearing me is all attractive and shit but it really should end soon.
That quote is really fabulous. This week’s TGIF is going to be an extra special one, eh?!
That’s precisely how I feel about this month and most of February. I won’t get into the details.. I’m just ready for March.
I love that quote. It’s already January 30 here, if it helps. I just realized January’s been bad for me, too, but mostly it pales in comparison to the train wreck that was 2007 for me. Hope February shines for you!
holy crap. i didn’t mean for my comment to look so ominous. hahahahaha. I just left someone a comment on a touchy subject with this name and I forgot to change it. i did leave my email address so you both know who indeed. and now I can’t change back to my name for this comment because everyone else will know. hi, i’m weird.
Great quote, I will have to print it out and give it to a colleague of mine. She is going through hell at the moment. January was not the best month for me either, but I guess it was a lot better than for many others. I hope you get through the last couple of days without too much trouble! Heads up! My grandpa used to say: Head up, although the neck might be dirty. He was wise, I think. I only remember very little of him (died when I was 6).
January has indeed been a horrible month in many ways. I’m sorry it’s been so bad to you. I’m glad it’s almost over.
I have never heard that quote before. But it’s going to be my new mantra. Thank you. I hope your February is much better than your January.
Knowing you are not alone is definitely comforting. For me 2007 was a horror so I’m hoping I’ve left that well and truly behind.
If I can get to the end of Friday and the end of the first week of school I will be a very happy girl!
The January blahs have never been so horrible. It’s been an individual hell for everyone I know. Here’s to February, spring and beyond.
At least you’ve gotten to wear your gorgeous J Crew cashmere henley, I hope!
I have had a serious case of the Januaries this month. Ugh.
However, it is nice to put a bit of a border around it, put it in a box, and throw it in the river to swim with the fishes.
Praise the Lord and pass the ammunition to that sentiment my lovely friend!!
Here’s to getting the crap month out of the way, then. And heck, all of the cold for that matter. I mean, I know we love the cashmere but COME ON!
Wow, I needed to hear that quote from Churchill today. Last night I was so despairing (for lots of reasons) that I cried myself to sleep for the very first time.
I’ll “keep going” with you.
I hope February is MUCH better! Maybe we can all keep going together, and we’ll get through.
Well, I’d say that I too am counting down until January is over, but I have ot get to the LOST season premier first. lol
Love the quote, by the way.
Can we pretend January is the fax machine from Office Space?
I owe you an email with some funny details that could turn your entire month of January around. How’s that for a teaser?
Agreed! Agreed agreed agreed! Although i generally hate January; February -even in all her frigid coldness- always seems like a better choice.
xox
It wil be January 30th here in 25 minutes. You’re almost at the end of the month. Keep hanging on.
And once we kick January to the curb we’ve only got to get through February before March comes and brings the spring.
Yay for short months
You know, there is something magical about the notion of a new month and a new start. I hope that Feb. is a great improvement.
FOR REAL. Sing it, sister. And suck it, January. January began with my flooded house and is ending with an ulcer. Fucking beautiful life.
i just want to be best friends with you.
forreaal.
Amen. Actually, I”m going to take it a step further and tell this winter to suck it. C’mon spring and margaritas…
I like Egan’s idea on what we should do with the month of January. I’d love to take a bat to the whole month and pretend it never existed.
The balmy January would be an ironic Hell, what with the freezing over and all.
http://awaitingtenure.wordpress.com/
That’s a great quote to remember when times are tough. This too shall pass. I don’t know who said that one but I remember hearing it in one of the Lord of the Rings movies (which I guess means it was first penned by Tolkien) and it always pops in my head when I’m dealing with some tough times. You are a strong person with a beautiful soul and I am a firm believer that you can do whatever you put your mind to. You’ve got a hell of a support team on this blog to give you a little kick in the ass too whenever you need it.
Brandy, so sorry to hear that your January has been so poor; mine has been rather blah. But at least we’re all in it together, so you’re not alone. And if you do feel like blogging your troubles and worries at some point in the future, feel free. After all, the blogosphere is nothing if not one large support group.
Just don’t lose that 13-year-old sense of humor.
You turned the darn comments off you rant about gender in the political race. And while I tend to agree with you, there are a lot of people out there who might side with NOW. Check out this article: http://www.nytimes.com/2008/01/08/opinion/08steinem.html?ex=1357534800&en=9f6d8783ff1b15c9&ei=5124&partner=permalink&exprod=permalink.
I love that Churchill quote. I’m going to remember that as it is very apt for things right now.
Dropkick it HARD girl.
I love this quote. I think it reminds us to keep living life, it gets better. As for January, I declare this month f***tober. Bring on Febuary.
Eh- see I think the weather just gets worse, but January is a blah month.
even better – country music elaborated on that quote:
If you’re going through hell
Keep on going, Don’t slow down
If you’re scared, don’t show it
You might get out
Before the devil even knows you’re there
-Rodney Atkins
One day and counting…
I love that Churchill quote too.
January has been one bitch of a month. I personally just kinda wanna hibernate until spring. So, I feel ya.
I agree… keep thinking like that 13 year old
I thought the same thing at my first reading. I guess great Brandys think alike. Don’t lose hope… this month is almost over. I hope Feb is 1000x better!
Funny enough, I wasn’t really minding January until yesterday. Now? CANNOT wait for it to be over!
i still think its hilarious that you chose january as high maintenance month! i’m waiting until april for my high maintenance month.. it’ll be warmer then
Evans- Do you want to be my personal life coach?
Anne- Hey, you wore make-up today. That’s progress!!
Nilsa- Absolutely! I can’t wait.
Deutlich- Then I hope March comes soon foryou.
You know who- Ha! Don’t worry. Your secret is safe with me. Fingers crossed 2008 is better than your 2007.
Katrin- Yep, I like it. I like it for it’s simplicity and also because it’s not a whole ‘yippee! life is going to be great!’ quote. It’s not… overly optimistic, you know? And your grandpa sounds like he was a very smart man.
JEss- Thanks. Have a good trip!!
Distracted Spunk- I’m glad to have shared it. And thank you for your good wishes!
Mez- I hope your Friday comes smoothly. And that 2008 is better for you too!
Tiff- Ha! I love a girl who remembers cashmere discussions. And you mentioned Spring. Oh sweet Jesus. I can’t wait! (I’m almost more excited for Spring than I am for LOST.)
PP- Well said. I like any talk that makes me think of the Sorpranos.
Kathryn- I love your comment.
justrun- Exactly. And once again, thank you for the great email.
Larissa- Sounds like a plan. I hope you are feeling better soon.
YSP- I definitely like that idea.
CG- Oh yes LOST. I’m excited!!
egan- It was such a good teaser I emailed you before going to sleep.
heidikins- Yep, I definitely agree. It’s got to be better.
Diane Mandy- I can’t wait!!
littlespoon- Spring. I love that people keep mentioning that. It’s going to be wonderful.
silverneurotic- I completely agree, and I hope Feb is great for you too!
Renee- Ugh. Dude. You deserve a good February too. I hope you get it. And ulcer? Ouch.
Kenzie= Aww thanks!! Although if you ask my best friends they might want to warn you that I can complain a lot and my love for CNN gets annoying really quickly.
EM- Margaritas! Is it weird that just seeing that word improves my mood?
brookem- You know how I feel about January. As for an email- one is coming!!
eyeingtenure- Good point.
Airam- That’s a good one too. One I need to have tattooed on my body so I can read it when I’m dealing with a kid who has peed his pants and then took his peed pants and hit another kid with them after he’s changed. Because is there anything more gross than getting hit with pants that are soaked in urine?
Nilsa- Ahh, I turned them off because I hate feeling like people have to comment all the time. I do get some comments though- people just tend to email me. Thanks for the article, I definitely think that’s an important one for people to read. It doesn’t change my view on the Kennedy situation but it did make me reflect on a lot, which was really important I think.
James- Good, I hope things are well with you.
Emma- Doesn’t ‘dropkick’ just fit perfectly with January??
Semichrmd- Exactly. Keep living. Keep moving. Okay. I’m officially getting really corny.
Clearlykels- Yeah, February weather is usually worse than January weather but the blues DO go away for me in February so I cling to that idea.
Michelle- Ahh perfect lyrics for right now!! Thanks for sharing.
Sparkel- Hibernate… yep I definitely dig that idea.
DG- I can definitely understand why.
Julie Q- I had to pick a winter month for high maintenance though. It’s easier for me to want to shave my legs, get a facial, paint my nails when the weather is nice out. IT’s when the weather is cold that I want to give up completely and quit life.
I was going to quote the Rodney Atkins song, too, but I see Michelle beat me to it.
Amen, sister….January can beat it. ASAP.
Love the quote! Perfect for the end of January, which was rather hideous. I hope the rest of 2008 is a little less awful… for all of us.