This Week's Light: Recovery, Family Time, and Why Yard Work is Like a Horror Movie

A weekly reflection from the Shared Light community

Hey friends,

Sometimes the most important thing you can do is hit the pause button. This week was all about recovery, family time, and remembering that taking care of the people you love, including yourself, isn't optional.

The Post-WrestleMania Recovery

After the excitement of WrestleMania weekend, I took Monday and Tuesday off to decompress and spend some much-needed time with Dustie and our little one, who has been severely struggling with her mental health lately. Sometimes the best medicine isn't found in a bottle; it's found in intentional presence and doing the things that bring joy.

We had a full Fortnite day with just the three of us, which she absolutely loves. There's something beautiful about creating space where your kid can just be a kid, where the outside world and all its pressures fade away for a few hours. No schedules, no expectations, just family time and virtual victories.

The rest of the week was spent decompressing and focusing on keeping our little family safe and connected. In a world that often feels chaotic and unpredictable, sometimes the most radical thing you can do is simply be present for the people who matter most.

Merch Updates and Sweet Surprises

On a lighter note, we received a few samples of our merch this week and are still waiting for a couple more, and we're genuinely excited about how everything is turning out! If you want to check out what we've been working on, head over to our website at sharedlightpodcast.com and look for the shop under the menu. We're pretty proud of what we've created, and we think you'll love it too.

Yesterday we switched things up for my team at work. After two weeks of Dustie's amazing burritos, we figured they deserved a sweet change of pace, so we dropped off some donuts instead. It's become this beautiful routine of showing appreciation for people who work hard, and honestly, seeing their faces light up when we show up with food never gets old.

Time Apart, Time Together

After our donut delivery, Dustie spent some much-needed time with her mom while I joined a Zoom session on servant leadership. There's something valuable about having individual experiences that you can bring back to your relationship. She got quality time with family, I got to dive into leadership concepts, and we both got what we needed to show up better for each other.

This Morning's Horror Show

This morning started with homework because apparently education never stops, even on weekends. But then came the real nightmare: yard work. If you've ever seen A Nightmare on Elm Street, you know that feeling of dread when you realize you can't escape what's coming for you. That's exactly how I feel every time I look at our yard.

Like Freddy Krueger, yard work is relentless and always comes back no matter how much you think you've defeated it. You mow the lawn, trim the bushes, pull the weeds, and just when you think you're safe, boom, everything's grown back, and it's somehow worse than before. The grass doesn't care that you have other plans. The weeds don't respect your schedule. They're coming for you whether you're ready or not.

But unlike a horror movie, at least when yard work is over, you get to admire your handiwork for about five minutes before planning your next battle strategy.

Mental Health Awareness and Sharing Light

After surviving the yard work horror show, we recorded an episode focused on Mental Health Awareness Month, which starts in May. This timing feels especially important given what our family has been navigating lately.

Mental health isn't just a personal issue; it's a community responsibility. When someone you love is struggling, it affects everyone around them. But here's what we've learned: sharing your light with others isn't just about the big gestures or the perfect words.

Sometimes it's about showing up for a Fortnite marathon. Sometimes it's about taking time off work to be present. Sometimes it's about creating safe spaces where people can be honest about their struggles without judgment.

As we head into Mental Health Awareness Month, we want to remind everyone that your mental health matters, your struggles are valid, and asking for help is a sign of strength, not weakness. The light you share, whether it's through a kind word, a listening ear, or simply being present, can make more difference than you realize.

What We're Learning About Priorities

This week reminded us that sometimes the most productive thing you can do is slow down. That family time isn't something you fit in around everything else; it's the foundation that makes everything else possible. That taking care of your mental health and the mental health of your loved ones isn't selfish; it's essential.

We're learning that recovery looks different for everyone, but it always requires intentionality. Whether you're recovering from excitement, stress, or life in general, giving yourself permission to rest and reset isn't a luxury; it's necessary.

What We're Carrying Forward

As we head into Mental Health Awareness Month, we're committed to continuing these conversations, both in our family and in our community. We're excited about our merch launch and grateful for teams that work hard and deserve recognition. We're reminded that yard work will always be a horror movie, but at least it's one with a satisfying ending.

Most importantly, we're holding onto the truth that sharing light with others, especially during their darkest moments, is one of the most important things we can do.

How do you prioritize mental health in your life? What does sharing light look like in your community?

Thank you for being part of a community that values authenticity, supports mental health awareness, and understands that sometimes the most important work happens when we slow down enough to be present for each other.

Here's to recovery, family time, and surviving whatever horror movies life throws at us, JR & Dustie

Check out our new merch at sharedlightpodcast.com, catch our latest episodes wherever you listen, and join the mental health conversation on Facebook, TikTok, YouTube, and Instagram @SharedLightPodcast.