"Walking on Sunshine" How life's changes can bring you joy.

I recently saw a LinkedIn moniker that read:  Retired.  Walking on Sunshine. I love that and decided to explore it a little further.

Though I recognized the phrase from a fun energetic song I remember from the 80s, I thought to ask ChatGPT to help me understand the origin and meaning of “walking on sunshine.”  Here’s what I found:

The phrase itself is “an idiom that originates from the 1983 hit song "Walking on Sunshine" by Katrina and the Waves. ’Walking on sunshine’ is used to express a state of extreme happiness, excitement, or elation. When someone says they're "walking on sunshine," it means they are feeling so joyful that it’s as if they're floating or walking on air, unaffected by anything negative. I recognize the feeling and love the concept of a joyfulness that leaves us feeling as though we are walking on sunshine, or floating on air.

As you know, change is happening all around us: in the government, in politics, world events, weather events, in education, across the world, locally, and on our campuses. In schools, we are tasked with transforming the way we teach.  Big change is happening and even greater changes are looming.  There are lots of emotions and challenges that come with change. 

I had a transformative summer that challenged my “walking on sunshine” perspective. I want to share with you some of the lessons I learned as I went through some changes of my own.  It is my personal story and I find it relevant as we think about the changes in so many aspects of our lives that will come in the year ahead.  

My summer was intended to be spent peacefully in my new little home that I built in New Orleans.  All my children and grandchildren live nearby, so I spend every minute I can there.  Those of you who know my story know that I have been living on my own for the last several years, with my dog Walter and my cat, Duckie. It has been a very quiet, though busy, life.

Before my summer officially began, and right after our graduation, my youngest daughter, her three children, their two dogs (one a boisterous nine-month-old puppy), and their cat, all moved in with me.  

Though not anticipating this major change, I realized I was in a unique position to embrace them by welcoming them to live with me in my home.  Everything changed…my routines, my space, my noise and activity levels, and at first, my walking on sunshine. 

The idea of reading on my back porch, writing, listening to my record player, and taking bubble baths floated off into space and was soon replaced with bounce houses, kid's tv shows, pizza parlors, bike rides, rearranging my home to accommodate them all, and adjusting to a second round of helping to raise a young family.  It was a bit overwhelming at times, for all of us!  They had much more to adjust to than I had. 

But, we did it!  And now, my daughter, three of my grandchildren, and all their pets are with me every day, and these grandchildren will attend my school. These toasty summer days have been spent going on walks and bike rides, exploring the new surroundings, and basking in the love that comes to us wherever we are. My house in New Orleans is now fully outfitted to accommodate my family, and my campus home in St. Louis is perfect for a family our size.  I soon discovered that the best part of that change is that I am not alone any more!

The summer was challenging and wonderful, all at the same time.  Isn’t that the beauty of life, though?!…challenging and wonderful!  I learned once again that embracing change when change feels like the right thing, is a blessing for all.

Not surprisingly, this experience brought with it a lot of life lessons:  These are just a few…

1. Change can smack you pretty hard.  Remember, God has a plan for us and it often takes us in the opposite direction from our own design.  If we really trust in God, we not only listen and follow, but we embrace the opportunities in front of us.  We step off that cliff trusting that God is there to catch us, even if we can’t see the landing spot. In this instance, He caught me, and my family, and gently set us down right where we all needed to be.

1. You can’t just slog through change.  Trusting God involves a day-to-day, joy-filled reckoning and acceptance.  You have to bring energy to change.

1. Gratitude has to pave the way for change.  If you can’t be genuinely grateful, and intentionally look for the good that is happening in every situation, you can’t expect to see and realize the healing that is inevitably taking place.

-Lastly,

1. JOY.  That idea of “walking on sunshine” is one we can live every day.  It is not a healing if joy is not being claimed and expressed.  Joy and happiness are God’s gifts to every one of us.  Joy is the reward for a willingness to change and follow God’s divine direction.

So, that was my summer.  It was hard in spots, but I think it was one of the best ever. With change comes progress. Embracing the opportunity for change has left me smiling, grateful, and walking on sunshine!

Until next time,

Merry

Get ready, Storyteller LIVE arrives on October 19!

Storyteller LIVE is more than a podcast, it's a community of friends connecting over faith, family, life, and learning. I've created it as a way to bring my monthly Storyteller digital series to life. Each episode includes a discussion about a story featured in Storyteller and a special guest with unique life experiences that make them particularly qualified to discuss the topic.  

My first guest, The Reverend Will Hood, an Episcopal Priest, and Retired Navy Chaplain is a former colleague, dear friend, and one of the best most interesting people I know. We met while working at St. Paul's Episcopal School in Lakeview, New Orleans following Hurricane Katrina. In this episode we'll discuss how we talk to God and how we've relied on Him during some of life's greatest challenges.

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