Feb. 1, 2025: Sometimes I wonder

Have you ever stopped to wonder just how much you've gotten wrong over the years?

Take, for instance, those zingers parents and grandparents use to teach life lessons. Let’s go with "let sleeping dogs lie."

My entire life, I took that literally. I never once questioned it—just assumed it was solid advice about not bothering a peacefully snoozing dog. That is, until last night, when my dad casually asked, "Jessica, don’t you know what ‘let sleeping dogs lie’ really means?"

My response? "No, Dad. I did not. I have always taken that in the literal sense. You did not do a very good job of explaining that one."

Cue laughter. A lot of laughter.

It was the ultimate whoops moment—the kind that makes you feel like Steve Urkel hitting you with "Did I do that?" That moment when you realize you were the one being ridiculous.

If you don’t know what I’m talking about, my recommendation? Take a little time for some self-reflection.

Personally, I get it wrong a lot. But you know what I try to do differently? I laugh about it. Not because I don’t care, but because it wasn’t intentional, and honestly? It’s funny how downright stupid I can be sometimes.

And that’s what love is.

Love means it’s okay to be wrong. Love means that, even if not right away, we’ll eventually laugh at the absurdity of it all.

My whole life, people—family, friends, even strangers who somehow become friends—have told me, "They broke the mold when they made you." And listen, not to toot my own horn, but… they’re not wrong. I am one of a kind. Worse still? I’m one of those people you hate to like—but somehow, you do. Maybe it’s because I genuinely love life.

My mind keeps me entertained all day long. My heart and soul are full of music, love, and joy.

And I’m so thankful that all the destruction led me right here—to real peace and happiness.

If you don’t have that in your life, take five minutes. Hit pause. Re-evaluate.

Because here’s the thing: You are in control of your own happiness.

Don’t live in the past. Don’t feed it any more energy. It’s done. It cannot be changed. Move along, people.

That’s exactly what I had to do for the doors I really wanted to open.

Even the breaths I took three seconds ago? I can’t get those back.

Let that sink in. Then tell me—are the worry and sadness really worth it?

Be love. Be happy. Be tranquil. Just be.

Before I go: Huge shoutout to NewTown Macon for providing such an indepth learning opportunity for the Macon community.

Today at the Tubman was a blast!!

Check out the super awesome 360 photo booth video provided by R & R Thomie Productions. So much fun.