Doing the Hard Things: Healing, Becoming, and Finding Joy Again

I’ve been a professional therapy patient for about 13 years. My current therapist has challenged me to so many things. I told her I wanted to heal. I also told her I wanted to become. Why did I do that? 

Last Sunday was my mom’s birthday. Leading up to her birthday, my therapist challenged me to return to church. I hadn’t been regularly attending my home church in a very long time. The truth is, it’s hard to go there. When I walk in, I recall all the memories I have from my lifetime, people included. I dreaded people asking me about people no longer in my life. I didn’t want people to ask about business. I didn’t want to talk about the hard things. 

I went. I went on my mom’s birthday. I cried. I smiled. I remembered. I did the hard thing. 

I believe God has a way of placing you exactly where you need to be. If you listen to the voice and push through, you will be blessed. The sermon was about God the grasshopper and the giant. The message was simple - things that seem like giants are truly grasshoppers. You can face the giants with little steps. Over time, your giant will become a grasshopper. 

In this life, I have developed an interesting talent of anticipating disappointment. To some, I appear to be a negative Nancy. The reality is, I’ve lived through so much that I know what’s possible - good and bad. Trauma has a way of lingering a little stronger than joy. 

I continue to intentionally seek joy day in and day out. I am seeing myself anticipating goodness a little more than disappointment these days. I appreciate my therapist challenging me to do the hard things. I appreciate this season of aloneness that is allowing me to truly identify what I am interested in for myself.

This week, I challenge you to do the hard things. I challenge you to think about something you want for yourself and do everything you can to achieve that. You deserve joy. You deserve peace. You deserve an amazing life. For, you are the only person you have to live with for the rest of your life. You deserve everything you desire. 

Thank you for reading Sunday Morning Laundry.

See you next Sunday!

Written by Garnet Terri — honoring legacy, embracing purpose, and finding peace in the process.

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If this reflection resonated with you, I invite you to join me in community at Terri’s Detroit. Healing happens in connection—and I’d love to see you at one of our upcoming classes or gatherings.

Explore the upcoming events below and reserve your spot today.

Oct. 12: Cake Decorating Class (Girl Scouts of Southeastern Michigan)

Oct. 18: Cake Decorating Class (Jack and Jill of America, Inc.)

Oct. 19: Butter & Bliss Lotion Making Class Reserve Your Spot

Oct. 20: DWSD Resiliency Study - Open to the Public

Oct. 25: Small Business Saturday Become a Vendor

Oct. 26: Flavors & Friendships Reserve Your Spot

Nov. 15: Small Business Saturday Become a Vendor

Nov. 22: For the Sake of Cake - Decorating Class Reserve Your Spot

Nov. 29: Small Business Saturday Become a Vendor