Getting Old Quickly

In Episode 120, Billy Donnelly returns from his Alaskan cruise vacation to recall the peacefulness of his trip and to vehemently stress the benefits of disconnected from the world from time to time. He talks about the relief that comes from unplugging from our phones, electronics and other constant tethers to the outside world and allowing ourselves to just be in the moment without having to constantly keep tabs on what's happening elsewhere. He discusses the wondrous beauty of the larger world, and, rather than trying to preach becoming one with nature and the universe, just insists that we try to take it in every once in awhile and separate ourselves from our usual worries, concerns and problems. 

In Episode 119, Billy Donnelly takes a moment to reflect on our progress - where we were, how far we've gone and where we're hoping to go. With that, he poses a number of questions to to ponder and try answering as you measure the movement in your personal journey. 

In Episode 118, Billy Donnelly examines the convenient excuse of "not having enough time" when we're unable to do the things we claim we want to do. However, he sees this more as a problem of giving our time away to others and not claiming it for ourselves. He discusses the importance of setting boundaries and carving out slices of your life for you upon which others are not allowed to infringe or encroach. He talks about taking our time for us as a method of self-care and elaborates on the various pitfalls that you can create for yourself when you only give of yourself to others but never for yourself. 

In Episode 117, Billy Donnelly examines his tendency to view things through a negative "glass half empty" lens and why he finds it so difficult to pay enough attention to the positives that occur on a regular basis. He discusses possible defense mechanisms in order to mitigate any amount of pain or hurt that may arise as a result of too much of a positive outlook not coming to pass and the resulting disappointment. He also talks about some of the positives just being a part of the fabric of daily existence, thus not really calling for any extra hoopla or celebration. However, he connects the dots back to themes raised in Episode 53 - Am I Worthy?, wondering if the main obstacle blocking him from finding more positives in his life have to do with his own sense of worthiness. In addition, he takes time to elaborate on the new three-digit crisis number 988, namely what it does and its importance. 

In Episode 116, Billy Donnelly talks about one of his biggest fears for his kids - them being like him. As a result, he discusses the ways he's tried to influence them to steer them in a different direction, one that doesn't have them making his same mistakes growing up or finding similar regrets, and the expectations for them that have resulted. However, he has come to the realization that he cannot assert control over all these things, and it most likely hasn't served him nor his children well. He discusses his need to hold on more loosely, yet still providing them with the best information, knowledge and advice possible, for them to make good choices and turn into whoever they wind up becoming, regardless of if that's like him or not. 

In Episode 115, Billy Donnelly addresses how everything is NOT fine out there in the world currently, and more specifically most things suck. As a result, that can be incredibly deflating, discouraging and overwhelming. Due to that tidal wave of negative feelings, he discusses the importance of disengaging periodically and finding something that can boost your mood and energy in an attempt to reenergize and re-join the fight again later. He talks about how feelings of guilt in these situations can be expected, but they are normal and okay, as maintaining your mental health is truly important in these tough times. He stresses that it doesn't make you a bad friend, a bad ally or a bad anything to have to put yourself first and take care of you when you are at risk of burn out, depression and so much else. He brings forth personal examples of how he's become so enveloped by major traumatic events that it's been tough to find his way out as he fell further and further down the information rabbit hole. That still is a struggle that resurfaces periodically when these major things happen, but he knows that they are a problem for him and, as a result, shares some guardrails he has established for himself to try limiting those deteriorating moods as best as possible. 

In Episode 114, Billy Donnelly has a lot of anger, rage, frustration and sadness to sort through, concerning the overturning of Roe v. Wade, the latest assaults against the LGBTQIA+ community and the recent attempts to now ban books from his son's middle school library for their "indoctrination." 

In Episode 112, Billy Donnelly discusses the importance of finding your happy place - something that you can go to in order to take a short break from the outside world and bring joy and happiness back into your life. He uses a few examples from his own life, namely hockey, that have helped center him in recent time when things felt really awful and overwhelming. He implores everyone to find that comfort food of sorts that can serve as an easy constant to return to when you really need it most. He stresses that it doesn't have to be one thing or come in one form and that everyone will find something different that works for them, but almost as a form of self-care it is absolutely necessary to keep oneself sane as things progressively seem to suck more and more around us. 

In Episode 111, Billy Donnelly talks about the targeting of the LGBTQIA+ community with legislation that seeks to make their lives unnecessarily more difficult and cause irreparable harm for no real reason other than hatred mixed with a lack of respect, understanding and empathy. He discusses the Don't Say Gay laws and the heavy focus on trans individuals, and how it all operates once again through weaponized religion and the insistence on othering those who may be different from us. However, he calls out the hypocrisy of "protecting the children," while actively doing things that put them in more danger, and really pushes for people to mind their own damn business when it comes to others trying to find some shred of love and happiness within their own lives.