From the Heart
Each week I share my thoughts and yes, opinions, with you. They come from my heart. They come from my experiences, both good and not so good.
Life looks different at 61 than I ever thought it would look. I’m at a good place in my story. I like this chapter. I love the characters in it.
Some of my chapters have been interrupted with crisis. The memories are painful. On several occasions I felt like I was living a Lifetime Channel marathon.
And yet. I learned so much about who I am and how important my faith is and how it has shaped my thinking and how I handled whatever was put before me. The hymn, Great is thy Faithfulness, did not become my favorite hymn because I loved the tune. My heart knows the meaning of the words in the song.
Early in my adult life, if I had been told that some of my chapters would be written, I would have said “No way.” I think we all have a plan at 21 that gets erased and rewritten over time.
Some characters in my story were in it for a brief time. Some have been in chapter after chapter.
Some characters gave me moments that left beautiful engraved impressions on my heart. Some have bruised my heart.
I think I should have a T shirt made that says . . . Been there. Done that. Wrote the check. Wiped the tears. Cleaned up the mess. Celebrated. Wept. Cheered. Opened it. Closed it. Said Hello. Said Goodbye.
My opinions have changed over the years. I would say that I am less judgmental. You see, after I reached the middle of my story I saw things differently. On several occasions, when I was young, I said, “Well that would never happen to me.” And then it did. It changed me.
So much of life is not what happens to you but how you respond and react to it. Let’s just say that I learned a few lessons along the way. The refining process was painful.
My opinions are seasoned with how life has affected me. Hopefully, a bit more sweet than bitter. Life is just too short to carry grudges and be angry. I try never to voice my opinion without thinking how it will affect someone.
Words matter.
Trying to appease some people can be exhausting and futile. Sometimes you just have to share your thoughts and walk away . . . and keep walking.
Sometimes a compromise can be reached. Some people will never compromise. Sadly, it is their loss.
I am all over the place with my thoughts as I write this. Ask my opinion you will get it.
My opinion is from my reality. As I have told my kids, you may not like what I say but I speak from my heart and I speak from experience.
I can be a bit passionate about how I feel about something. I try to listen to the opinions of others. I may not agree with them but I try to listen. I then try to agree to disagree agreeably. Sometimes it is easier than others.
Thanks for reading my thoughts these past ten years. I hope I have a few more chapters that I will enjoy sharing with you. You may sometimes disagree with my thoughts but always remember . . . they are from my heart.