With all that is going on in the world….

I’m feeling very sad about a lot of negativity/bullying I’ve seen, very sad for my friends who are hurting and very inspired to make some changes. I spent yesterday looking for a way to help in my community and landed on one that helps children whose parents are incarcerated. I read the individual stories of how they have helped create a positive community for these children and have given them life changing opportunity–it was heartbreaking but so beautiful. Truly community coming together. They had a big amazon wishlist and I was so happy to use some of my stimulus check to make a small dent in it. I feel very strongly that we can make differences in this world and I’m just heartbroken that it takes something so awful as murder to remind us of this. I hope 2020 is a pivotal year reminding us of our humanity, our connection and that we can’t just ignore injustice because it doesn’t affect us directly. If it affects one of us, it should affect us all. <3

Hi Janae! We are doing good over here, but what’s going on in the US is in the news here as well. There’s been demonstration all over our country as well , I hope everyone’s actions will lead to a better world and more equality. 2020 is a big year, isn’t it? Otten I think to myself: what a time to expand our family. But on the other hand, I hope we can give our kids the best examples and I hope I will raise my kids as good people.

I cried a lot last night. I struggle to understand hate in general. I spent some time yesterday learning, trying to understand, trying to process. I’m worried for our world . I’m grateful for the chance to talk to others. I hope you have a good day today!

My running friend and I (both long time readers) have spent a lot of time talking about “privilege” and the guilt we feel over the privileged lives we have lived. We have to be cognizant and acknowledge it before anything changes. It’s so hard. I watched my city be destroyed by violent protests Monday night but last night they were peaceful and even the media commented that it felt different. I hope we start to see change, and I want to be a part of it. Question, what do you do when you can’t run/workout to relieve stress? I had surgery in March and took 8 weeks to recover, though I still can’t do core exercises until July. I was just getting back into running when I fell last week and twisted my ankle. 2020 has been rough to say the least. Thanks for being a virtual friend. It’s comforting to come to your blog.

I’m really looking forward to your baby post this afternoon. I saw it this morning and then actually just double checked your site after finishing my lunch to see if it had been posted already. I’m curious, how do you find yourself getting ready for the baby? Did you keep most of the items from Skye? My husband and I have been having the pre-baby talks and it’s so overwhelming to think of all the stuff to get ready for a baby. I’m not even sure where to begin! :)

Take care!

Oh Janae, I have been a reader and fan of HRG for years, and I have to say, your honesty and openness about this process of learning about injustice and developing that into action (not for just a day or a month but like you said, for a LIFETIME) just makes me love and appreciate you so much more! Thank you for sharing your good heart with this world. You have built such a strong community and platform and I am so grateful for people like you who use those things to serve others!
I am feeling so many things this week. Sadness, exhaustion, heartbreak that I know can’t possibly compare to that of the black community or the families that are grieving the loss of their loved ones. Have you seen the picture of George Floyd when he was a toddler sleeping in his mama’s arms? Any mother could look at that photo and see herself and her baby, and it hurts your heart to think of how their family has had to suffer. And we can’t forget, that baby is also Ahmaud, and Breonna, and Trayvon and Tamir and Eric and Mike and Philando all the others. I am crying as I write this, and I know that doesn’t even come close to ever being enough. I feel shame that I never really took notice of these issues before it’s hitting us over the head like it is now. I mean, I was aware of it, but I never DID anything about it, and that’s a pretty uneasy feeling to sit with. In an effort to start doing something now, I have donated to several organizations, and I’m working on getting educated. I watched 13th on Netflix (SO powerful), I bought the audiobook of How to Be an Antiracist by Ibram X. Kendi since the book itself is sold out everywhere, and I’ll be listening to that on my runs. Again, though, I know all of that is just a start and there is no end point, until we truly have equality. To end on a more positive note, I do feel a lot of hope and inspiration right now as well. I am hopeful that enough people are finally starting to take notice, to really listen and to commit to action. Whether it’s educating our children, volunteering, voting, having conversations with friends and family, donating, etc. It feels like there’s a lot of pressure to believe that things are spiraling out of control and that hatred and division are winning, but I don’t believe that. I also see a lot of good, a lot of love, a lot of open hearts and minds, and while this feels like a turning point, I am hopeful that it’s towards better days for all. I feel my own heart is changing, and I am inspired to commit to manifesting that change outwardly in this world, in whatever ways I can.