I just returned from a trip to Florida with a group of friends and we had an incredible time. Stepping away from my daily life provided a much-needed mental reset. It’s amazing how a few days away can change your perspective.

Before I left, I was holding a lot of anger and frustration. My friends and I have an ongoing joke about everything being “fine.” Everything is “just fine.” Do you ever find yourself saying that even when it’s not? The sarcasm got me thinking: what would it feel like if everything were really “fine”?

Sometimes when you feel as far gone or as hopeless as I felt, it seems unimaginable that things could get better. Intellectually, I know that I have control over my joy and my optimism, but truly embodying those feelings during difficult times remains a challenge. Spending time with friends lifted my spirits, but it was still easy to get triggered and fall back into a negative loop. However, with patience and a shift in focus, my natural optimism broke through, giving me hope. Little by little, I found myself emerging from that dark place. The experience taught me to have patience with myself and others—and that optimism and hope are powerful tools to overcome tough times. 

The Mayo Clinic emphasizes hope as a fundamental part of wellbeing. While I recognize I can’t quickly pivot from anger and frustration to “everything is fine,” the shift in perspective gave me the sense of hope that I had needed.

We remain immersed in the energies of the wood element, a quiet teacher of patience. Patience takes courage because it demands trust in the unknown. I’m choosing to lean into that wisdom, knowing nature thrives at its own pace.

This month, I want to share a prayer with you that has brought me a sense of peace as I navigate life’s uncertainties. It’s the Serenity Prayer from AA:

“God, grant me the serenity to accept the things I cannot change; Courage to change the things I can; And wisdom to know the difference.”

I wish you all a wonderful month of May and Happy Mother’s Day to all the mothers in our Five Wellbeing Community!

In wellbeing,

Betsy