When I think back over my life, I see peaks and valleys and meandering roads that turned into life lessons.
At the time, I might not have know what was beyond the crest. Or at the bottom of the valley, or around the bend in the road.
These roads I’ve walked are my quilt, and every step I took are the stitches that sewed it together.
That Brief Window Of Time:
I’ve always been hard on myself for mistakes I’ve made and paths I wish I’d taken.
There were times when I said something I wish I hadn’t said. Or times when I could have spoken up when I had the chance, but sadly, did not.
Often you are allotted a small window of time and then it disappears.
The words “too late” are some the saddest words in the world. Maybe you were on your way but you just didn’t get there in time. And that chance you had is gone forever.
Too late.
How would we learn compassion and empathy if we hadn’t had some bumps in the road? If we hadn’t stumbled and made mistakes and taken wrong turns?
I look back and I’m well aware of the mistakes I made. And I know I can’t undo them.
This is what I was thinking when I woke up this morning.
Just Random Thoughts:
It was just one of those random thoughts. And then those thoughts took off like a spool of thread rolling across the floor.
But instead of wishing them away, I’ve come to realize that I need to look upon those mistakes as lessons.
Life lessons.
We need to learn the importance of forgiving ourselves. For the things we cannot change and for which there is no going back.
If it is the loss of someone you love, it is the most painful lesson of all. Especially when they chose to walk away while you stood still and watched them go.
You wonder what you could have done to stop them. Where the road you were both on shifted and you didn’t notice.
Could Words Have Made A Difference?
And you have to wonder if words would have made a difference had you spoken them.
But you cannot will them back. You may beg for them to stay, and yet they may keep right on going. Getting smaller and smaller as the distance grows between you.
You have to let them go.
And that is definitely one of the hardest things you’ll ever do.
I’ve come to accept that people in my life, people that I love, may at some point choose to walk away.
Some of the people I’ve loved were just passing through, though I couldn’t have known that at the time.
I’ve learned that not everyone who comes into your life is meant to stay.
Very inspiring and quotes that are so true
Often it is very painful to learn them and then we wish if only I could of realized them earlier. Most important is that you did some never do.
Thank you 😊🙏
Thank you for sharing.
Very inspiring and quotes that are so true
Often it is very painful to learn them and then we wish if only I could of realized them earlier. Most important is that you did some never do.
Thank you 😊🙏
Your words are so beautiful .I to have been in this same spot lately .I am grieving over several losses of loved ones and also I am grieving other things as well.I think the journey of grief takes our minds to other territory in our past lives and forces us to look at our losses and why we lost these things and people in our lives.
I am learning forgiveness both for myself and other people as well .Although my heart is still hurting it is freeing me up to get rid of the past and forgive myself as well as others .
Hugs to you as you continue your journey ,and gratefulness to you for sharing your beautiful journey with all of us .
I pray we all find peace in whatever state we are in !And learn to love ourselves again and the child within us all .
I am so glad I found your beautiful blog.Thank you !
Peace !
You write so beautifully. Your words pierce my heart. Thank you.
So true, Brenda. We are constantly learning lessons in life…and you wouldn’t regret something, if you hadn’t learned from it. Sometimes forgiving ourselves is the hardest of all…
Beautiful words, eloquently written ~
Hi Brenda, I hope and pray that your other daughter reaches out to you soon! Perhaps, she doesn’t know how to go about it, but wants to get in touch with you. I know it’s hard bc I speak from the heart!
My son only speaks to me, small talk, when he comes home every 2 yrs for Christmas, with his wife. Last Christmas was the worst, he wasn’t very sociable to me. I couldn’t go to his wedding, which was far away bc I would have lost my job! He understands, but never forgave me! Of course I wanted to go, all 3 granddaughters were in the wedding. His sister, aunt, uncle and cousins went, so he had plenty of support! He could of set it up on the internet, so I could of still interacted with them. He’s an electrical and mechanical engineer. I couldn’t take off a week, it took over a day just to get there. They stayed over 3 days b4 they traveled back, it was a big wedding with hotel paid for, etc. I was given a pictured album after for Christmas that year.
So when I read this, tears started to roll down my eyes bc I feel the hurt for you! Do something for yourself this weekend that makes you very happy bc you deserve it and always remember that you count too! x
I like that image of the spool of thread rolling across the floor — I try to grab it but it gets away from me, and I have to get out of my comfortable spot to go track it down. Maybe that’s the point, the old thoughts get us out of our comfort zones and keep us searching.
I know you sometimes use song lyrics, so I offer up a song to you today — Heart of the Matter by Don Henley of the Eagles. This song is from his solo album End of the Innocence, 1989.
https://www.google.com/search?client=firefox-b-1-ab&ei=J3qBW6f2E87I5gL7nJZw&q=heart+of+the+matter+lyrics&oq=heart+of+the+matter+lyrics&gs_l=psy-ab.12…0.0.0.106946.0.0.0.0.0.0.0.0..0.0….0…1c..64.psy-ab..0.0.0….0.STKOFAk0qmw
I like these lines:
I’ve been tryin’ to get down
To the heart of the matter
But my will gets weak
And my thoughts seem to scatter
But I think it’s about forgiveness
Forgiveness
Even if, even if you don’t love me anymore.
wise thoughts.
I never knew the true meaning of ‘ love with detachment.’ I thought how can that be love?
but maybe it’s the best and truest kind. because it allows.
and in allowing . . . we let the other person do what they must with their own thoughts and lives.
I love your last line.
Thank you for sharing those wise words. I think that forgiving yourself is one of the hardest things to do.
I’ve been pondering the same things lately. I told a friend last night,” I’m comparing my insides to everybody else’s outsides.” I feel as if my inside is a mess of thoughts and regrets and it appears by looking at everybody’s outsides that they have it all together with happy lives. I remind myself that appearances deceive. My work is to forgive myself for my mistakes, forgive others for theirs, and move forward.
Life can be very difficult sometimes. But it also very beautiful.
Agreed