Once, when...

 

 

To relive the past for a brief moment is fine, but to remain there can only damage the present.

Sometimes, the past is best left there, only to be dialed up when needed.

A month or so ago, I went back to my old Junior High School for a parent-teacher conference.  It was for my daughter who is now in eighth grade.  That got me to thinking.

*Once, when I was in the eighth grade, I felt like a loser.  Often, it just seemed like the other kids were smarter, better looking and far cooler.  Now, I hardly remember their names, feel sorry for them when I hear of some of their plights, and could care less of what they once thought of me.

*Once, when I was far younger, I used to play flag football on Thanksgiving morning, running around like a lunatic in the cold and mud.  Now, on Thanksgiving mornings I sit inside in my warm living room and watch the National Dog Show with my family and try not to nod off.

*Once, when my two eldest children were very young, I remember them fondly sitting around the Thanksgiving dinner table.   Now, I enjoy sharing turkey as well with my two younger daughters, realizing times change and to enjoy now as well.  Youth is fleeting; love endures forever. 

*Once, when I needed to find employment fourteen years ago, I became an exterminator for about five years and then left it.  Now, I am back to killing bugs again, kind of feeling like Marty Mc Fly in BACK TO THE FUTURE, but feeling very grateful for a job.

*Once, when I was in high school, I thought cool Nike canvas sneakers, like everyone else had, would save me from being a nerd.  Sadly, although my sneakers were sort of cool, the rest of me still happened to be a nerd.

The truth is that yesterday is history, it happened good or bad. So, take what you can from yesterday and keep moving forward finding out what new and exciting discoveries now can offer.  

Once, when....always gives way to what is; the question is will we go with it?

Swavel

Let Go

 

Though much is taken, much remains- Ulysses 

There are just some things that you don’t outgrow, like that sick feeling in the pit of your stomach.  

A few weeks ago, I was told that I was being let go at work.  I had known it could happen, but like so many of us, I just hoped it wouldn’t happen.  In my case, it was just a business decision to cut costs, nothing personal. However, when I was told my services were no longer needed I got that terrible feeling in the pit of my stomach. 

Funny thing is that I thought I would feel nothing but mere elation to know the bumpy ride was over.  However, instead I felt melancholy, like I was no longer wanted or needed.  Emotions are a strange thing, try as you might, they cannot be controlled.

You can say or sing, like Elsa from Frozen, LET IT GO, but in reality it isn’t that easy.  However, facing uncertainty is a part of life.  Feelings fade and one must take a deep breath and keep moving forward, despite the hurt and uncertainty. 

Another way to counteract adversity is to sail your ship in positivity.  Which happens to be a favorite quote of mine taken from the movie, Alexander’s Terrible, Horrible, No Good Very Bad Day.  This also happens to remind me of the last birthday card my grandfather bought for me on my thirteenth birthday, weeks before he died.  Strangely enough, on the front of the card it had a picture of fishing boats leaving a harbor. 

The encouragement that I take from that card and phrase is that despite the difficult weather I must leave the dock and venture out into the unknown. 

To let go and move forward is always the better option than to stand pat and remain bitter.

Swavel

More Red

God, for whatever glorious reason, made some leaves red to keep our view from becoming mundane.

Every autumn the leaves change color.  But, lately I have found myself looking in particular for red leaves to make my fall complete.

Things that remind me of the color of red….

*    Red words in the Bible are the ones that Jesus spoke.  If ever in doubt and feeling lost, just read the red words in the Bible because anything that Jesus spoke carries the weight of eternal significance.

*  For years and to this day, I keep a red pen or marker on me as much as possible.  At first it was to remind me to pray for Lia when we only had faith that she would be a part of our family.  Now, it is just a habit, yet it still is a reminder that God keeps his promises.

*  Seeing red is a phrase that means you have allowed the emotion of anger to overtake and control you.  Often, in such a state, people cannot help but respond rashly and without mercy.  Lately, I have felt this way, with a personal situation I could not control, however getting angry in my book never solved any problem long term.

*  My fantasy football quarterback, and Cincinnati Bengal, Andy Dalton, has red hair.  This is a guy that people seemingly love to hate, because he has never won a playoff game.  However, he just keeps winning football games. The last I checked his team is still undefeated this year.

*  My son, and one of my daughter’s, favorite colors is red, as well as my favorite daughter-in -law.  My son, while he was young, once said that the reason that red was his favorite was that it was the color of Jesus’ blood. It doesn’t get more profound than that.

My point is that whatever color you like to look for, at least look for something bright.

May we live our lives in red, not in anger, but rather like the leaves that leave behind a sense of awe and wonder? 

Swavel