Life Lesson 1 - Talking about something does not make it happen. This is why I am not a published writer. Too much daydreaming, not enough pen to paper or fingers to laptop.
Life Lesson 2 - Release regret. Beating yourself up over things you've done, or things left undone, is not productive. Make the best of what you've learned. Share that knowledge with others, if it will lift them up. Then step away and move forward.
I've been reflecting on my life's journey. Where I wanted to be, where I thought I was going, and where I've ended up. That can be an overwhelming thing to do. It can bring up feelings of loss and regret, but it can also bring up feelings of wonder.
I recently reconnected a friend after many years, and she asked me if I'd ever published any of the children's books I used to talk about. I was forced to look at why I never achieved that goal. There are multiple reasons, including giving up too easily after rejections, discovering I loved children's literature but feeling I had nothing new to contribute to the genre, and just a general lack of direction and motivation. My first reaction was disappointment in myself. Then I began the process of letting that go.
I am not where I imagined I'd be. Life happened. Marriage, job changes, moves, children, loss. I could go on, but why? Regret is only valuable in the short term. Feel it, see it, learn from it, then drop it like a burning coal before it destroys you, before it leaves irreparable scars. Look at your accomplishments! At all the life well lived! At all the love! I have had some amazing experiences along the way.
It's never too late to learn, to release regrets, to begin again, or to start something brand new. Just writing this down is like taking a deep breath of fresh air. Where will it take me? Who knows. The journey is the thing, moving forward one step at a time and enjoying the delights along the way.
© 09Jul2021 ajjahner
