Weekly Scribblings #54 and Magaly asks us to consider what "if we knew then what we know now", which occasioned a lot of self examination....and in the end I waxed philosophical! Submitted to Poets & Storytellers United, January 27, 2021
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Truly there is no sanctuary for that from which we run. Life’s most valuable lesson is perhaps to accept responsibility for our life path. Whatever egregious happenstance is in our past controls us if we carry it with us like a backpack of angst. To cast it aside and accept responsibility for what happens next is a goal which brings the satisfaction of achievement. Some wise one said “No matter where you go, there you are”, and indeed it’s our life choices that determine where we go and who we are when we get there. If I knew then what I know now a decision might have altered the course of my life …. and I don’t think I want to change it, although I might have been gentler and kinder at times!
Most of us could've been gentler and kinder at some point in our past. But like your piece suggests, changing anything from our past would mean changing ourselves--and, like you, I really like me. I guess the only thing we can do is to remember to be kinder and gentler today... and, perhaps, tomorrow.
ReplyDeleteA wise bit of prose, Bev ... that comes with having experienced life to the fullest. Warts and all.
ReplyDeleteMy husband and I were talking about a similar idea. We both decided that we could live with some of the parts we didn't care for as long as it brought us to the moment we met.
ReplyDeleteBeautifully written, and so wise. I too have reached that point where, although I too wish I'd been gentler and kinder at times, I regret nothing because I learned from it all, and it all brought me to where and who I am.
ReplyDeleteIt is not easy to choose kindness...especially during this Covid grind...I'm working on it.
ReplyDeleteNice writing, Beverly. I have run from a few things, just run fast and to the right place. Once I ran from the police, they were patient and caught me. The judge had mercy and I paid a sign for speeding.
ReplyDelete"You made your bed so now sleep in it" is not my motto. We can change, perhaps not make up lost opportunities but still things can change. I might have made a military career be my life but then I might not have met Mrs. Jim. I did have a second opportunity though after we were married and I do wonder, if . . ." Mostly nice doors have opened for me and I mostly took the right one. And, we can usually change unless we are hostage of someone.
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As you said you cannot run from yourself...
ReplyDeleteChoices, choices! Some are good, some are not so good. All of them get us to where we are at the moment.
ReplyDeleteI'm casting angst aside!
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