Once upon a time there was a girl. She was content with life in her village. She mostly did what was expected and wasn't necessarily looking for anything new. Until He came along. He wasn't like the other he's in her village. There was just something about him that she couldn't put her finger on but it intrigued her enough to try and figure it out. So they started talking and hanging out together. They told each other stories of their own village and what it was like growing up for them. The more they discovered, the more attracted they became. Not knowing exactly when it happened, they became a couple. Not what she was looking for at that time in her life. It just happened. Like there was some sort of invisible string pulling them together.
So began their adventures together. Quickly they added to their little tribe. A tiny he, Thing 1, that fit perfectly into their lives. Before they knew what was happening they discovered that another addition was coming, Thing 2. All was going smoothly until the wind shifted and a new journey was before them. This journey was unexpected and involved Thing 1. This journey brought with it fear and anxiety and anger. It took them through the swamps and up tall mountains. They were not sure they were going to survive this journey. The second addition to their tribe, Thing 2, came during this treacherous quest. She was a beacon of joy amidst dark times. So they continued on.
They were fairly content in their little village when the winds began to shift again. This time taking them to a different village. It was a little scary at first but in time, they made a place for themselves in this new village. Time passed and they were following their journey just like everyone else. Doing what was acceptable in their village. They had their bumps in the road and curves here and there but mostly things were smooth.
Then as journeys go, the wind began to change again. This was unexpected. We weren't looking to change or question life as we knew it in the village. Maybe we did and didn't realize it. We didn't know that Thing 1 was going to make us question how things were done and that by opening up the possibility of living a different way in one area of our life would ultimately change every aspect of our inner and outer life. The journey was not an easy one. It was full of pitfalls and quicksand and those damn mountains again. There was fear and anger and confusion and questions with no answers. But mixed in all of the negative emotions were love and honesty and trust in each other and the journey we were on.
During this long journey of many years along comes Thing 3 and Thing 4. These two Things brought much joy and activity and fun into our tribe. Then as life happens, Thing 2 embarks on her own journey with her own He.
Our journey was moving right along with many joys and a few sorrows like any journey when the winds began to change yet again. This was the most challenging and frightening journey yet. One that broadsided us. We weren't expecting a hurricane in the middle of the mountains. This journey took all of our resolve, resources, wits, and courage. It was not for the faint of heart. For this journey directly involved our He. Our rock. Our provider. My love. We were moving right along on our journey when this big quest was laid in front of us. We had no choice but to take it on head first. Just when we thought we were slaying the beast from hell that was attacking our He it hit him like a vengeance. No matter what we did it wouldn't let go. We journeyed on the path before us because we couldn't go back. We trudged through jungles so thick you couldn't see the sun. We plodded through deserts so long we thought we would thirst to death. Then came the valley of death. It was full of bones and ghosts and struggles so hard we thought many times it was the end. The only choices we had was to submit to death or keep moving forward. By some act of sheer will and a power we couldn't see' we made it through the valley of death. The journey was far from over but the way was getting a little easier, a little smoother.
Just when we felt like we could take a deep breath again an elder in our village, my mother, was attacked by the same beast from hell. She trudged through the valley of death for 5 months before it overtook her. Her body never made it out of that valley but fortunately, her spirit moved on to the realm of sheer bliss.
We have learned and changed a lot through our many quests. That is one thing about the journey, it is always changing and always teaching us something new about the world and ourself. We are not the same humans we were 32 years ago or 10 years ago or even 1 year ago. We have changed and evolved and grown into someone completely different and new. Someone with open eyes and open hearts and more compassion. Life lesson number 1 is life is short. Even if you live to 100, it is fleeting. We are here to have fun and enjoy the journey. Life lesson number 88 is to live life on your terms. Find what brings you joy and live in that place. You do not have to live in a box or conform to those around you. Do what brings you joy and that joy will spill out onto those around you. Life lesson number 25, our attitude is a choice no matter what part of the journey you are on. Whether in the valley or the mountaintop, we get to decide how we think and react. We can choose joy even in the midst of chaos. I know, I have been there. Joy is much better than fear or bitterness or anger. We can always choose kindness. You never know where someone is in their journey. Your kindness might be the only thing that brings them through the valley of death. Life lesson number 6, take risks. Do something new, scary, daring, fun, exciting, different from the way you always did it. Life wasn't meant to be boring or monotonous or filled with stress and strife. Take a risk on whatever it is that you have always wanted to do but was too afraid to do it. There are many, many life lessons learned along the way but I will stop with this one. Lesson 2, your additions to life are their own little creations. You are only there to love them and teach them about the world around them. The beautiful world. The one filled with butterflies and bugs and rivers and oceans and everything that's in them. They are not here for you to mold into what you want them to be. Help them bloom into what they were created to be. Beautifully, wonderfully, exquisitely, themselves. Nothing more, nothing less.
This brings us to the present. Our journey together is far from over. We have a long journey before us with many ups and downs along the way. I look forward to what lies ahead. We are strong and bold and wiser and daring and we will face the next quest together.
