Image: Mish
Lost and Found
I followed the path
set out for me
meeting the expectations
of others
rising
to goals I’d never set
They said I was going
in the right direction
then through a haze
I glimpsed a bridge
and veered off track
where I found peace
My friend in poetry, photography and peace continues to inspire me in this collaboration. Be sure to check out her blog, rhymeswithbug.
#4. If you’re not thinking outside of the box, you’re living in a very small place.
As a child, the world seemed so big and never ending. My dreams were more like goals. Anything seemed possible. I didn’t hope to achieve them. It was only a matter of how and when. I had nothing to compare them to, no similar situations to remind me of what could go wrong. There were so many options, so much to see and do, so many places to go.
I listened.
I observed.
I believed in many things.
Then something happened. It’s interesting that as I grew older, my mind began to filter out ideas that didn’t seem as logical or achievable….as least not to me, anymore. Reality shoved it’s way into my tranquil, sunshiney space, ready to rain downpour on my parade, with a few too many “in your face” experiences of loss, disappointments and heartache. I was angry, resentful and mostly, just sad.
Later on, I think reality had overstayed it’s welcome. I was tired of what I had to do, what I had to face, how I had to live my life. It wasn’t until I was 40, that I found my youth again. The doors flung open and I emerged like a giant clumsy child.
I’m baaa…aaack!!!!
Who says I can’t have fun? Who says I have to do things a certain way? Who says I have to get old? Who says people are everything they seem. They are not. I was ready to explore again, but this time a little bit of knowledge came along with me. That can be useful. I was ready to let go of everything holding me back and move forward “into the great wide open” as Tom Petty puts it. The biggest surprise to me was how happy it made me.
The more open I became……
the more I listened,
the more I observed,
the more I believed.
How familiar that feeling was!
We were born with open minds. It is not our experiences that close our minds. It is our reactions to our experiences that close our minds. There is no right way of doing things. There are just many ways of doing things. That’s what makes people interesting. That’s what makes LIFE interesting.
Take a look at the Grand Canyon. You cannot see it’s boundaries…..the never ending space that beckons you to think past what is in front of you.
Think past what you know or where you have been.
Stay open. It’s fun.
#2. You can procrastinate about not procrastinating.
Even the word “procrastinate” sounds like something to avoid. It has such an unusual and harsh tone to it.
Why do we do it? There must be a reason why we don’t get around to doing what we planned to do. My excuses are many.
There isn’t enough time in a day.
Shall I clean the oven in my sleep?
I’m tired.
I am not doing that until this gets done.
I’ll call her tomorrow.
I need to be in the right mood to do that.
It would take me ALL day and I don’t have all day.
I was at work. Does that not count as exercise?
It’s just a little piece bar of chocolate.
If I can’t do it right, I’m not doing it at all.
I know I’ll do it, but not now ever.
I’m tired……again.
There’s a tiny little sliver in my right big toe . (Ok, I made that one up)
My excuses are rather lame. My intentions on the other hand , are outstanding! My mood is very perky when I make the conscientious decision of drawing up “the list”. With my favourite pen in hand, I look for the perfect piece of “Things to Do” paper . Then, using my best handwriting, I proceed to make the most elaborate list of projects ever! It’s an amazing feat of futility. It doesn’t stop me, however, from feeling incredibly proud of myself as I cross the first easiest task off the list. Bravo!! A few more strokes of the pen and I’ll be on my way.
Then something changes. I think it has a lot to do with that “P” word. Somehow “the list” finds a cozy little space where I can easily forget it ever existed. I plan to make a new list…..
after another little piece of chocolate.
mishunderstood 