Day 1: Starting the Journal, Facing Change, and Preparing for Thanksgiving

In this first daily entry of Journal of an Ordinary Man, I sit down to write after a sleepless night, realizing just how much this journal might become a tool for managing the anxieties and transitions of mid-life. Today, I reflect on a quiet evening at home, a frustrating garage door repair, and the emotional weight of preparing for Thanksgiving without the familiar family traditions that once anchored the holidays.

With family shifting roles after loss, caregiving needs rising, and old patterns changing, today’s journal explores the mixture of grief, gratitude, and hope that often define this season of life. I talk about catching myself in frustration, learning to be more present at home, and recognizing how faith and personal accountability might help me move forward with more intention.

The spiritual reflection centers on Philippians 4:13 — not just as motivation, but as a reminder that strength grows when we choose to live through Christ, not just ask strength from Him.

If you’re navigating mid-life change, family transitions, emotional overload, or the challenge of slowing down after years of pushing hard, this episode will meet you where you are. Day 1 is about honesty, humility, and learning to put love first — especially heading into a complicated Thanksgiving.