Nothing from me today -- she is saying it better (click here)

Statute of Limitations

Often, when talking about our lives, we talk about some childhood hurt. Someone told us we were not smart enough to do something, we were chubby and taunted by fat jokes, wore glasses and got called "four eyes" or weren't loved enough/well by our families -- and we find we're still hurt by those past actions or comments. Many of us still carry that pain and over time those things have grown from hurtful experiences to impediments, roadblocks and even walls between us and making our dreams come true.

Well the statute of limitations -- the maximum time an event can be held accountable -- on much, if not all, of this stuff has passed. There comes a point when the past can no longer be used as excuse for the future. We have to let it go, end its power over us and with new strength, move forward.

The time passes anyway

When I was contemplating returning to school, I spoke with an admissions specialist on a fairly regular basis. I was ambivalent about taking on the challenge. As the head of household for a active family and working a job where I was on call for approaching 24/7, I was concerned about being able to make the time commitment necessary to see it through. I didn't want to fail and I wanted to be the stellar student I knew I could be.

I'd almost given into the voices saying, "Now is not the right time," but the admissions specialist said something -- which I imagine was part of her script to overcome objections -- that resonnated with me in a way nothing else, pro or con, had. She said: The time will pass anyway. The only difference at the end of two years will be whether or not I'd earned the degree.

I couldn't argue with that logic. The time would pass and I would use it in some way. But would I use it in a way more productive, fulfilling and important that going back to school? Did I have other plans or important goals that going back to school at that time would impede? If not, and I didn't, why wasn't I taking this plunge?

There was no reason why, so I did. And she was right. The two years did pass anyway, but at the end I had the degree to show for it. 

So often we put off the things we want, or even need, to do. We are waiting for the right time, for it to fit into the schedule better, for there to be enough money, for others to buy into the sacrifices, for it not to require so many sacrifices ... and sometimes those reasons are very valid.

But most of the things we put ahead of pursuing the desires of our hearts are not. We often block our own dreams with mere excuses, things not worthy of being speed bumps on the road to our success, much less the detours or roadblocks we make them. We get in our own way, we prevent ourselves or undermine our efforts -- with plates too full or fears of failure -- and end up doing noting. But the time passes anyway.

We need to embrace and expand those desires we hold dear and remember, doing them a day at a time, we will eventually succeed, as the time passes. 

Being a better poet

If your everyday life seems poor, don't

blame it; blame yourself: admit to

yourself that you are not enough of a poet

to call forth its riches; because for the

creator there is no poverty and no poor

indifferent place.   ~Rainer Maria Rilke

 

You are here and have no one to blame by yourself."  ~Ziggy

 

Sometimes we see our lives in negative terms, because of low moods, being overwhelmed by our immediate circumstances, seeing no end to our struggles or being worried about the future. 

 

At those time, we are often afraid. Fear is a very compelling fraud, making many of us believe we have no choices, leaving us cowering amidst our situation instead of remembering to be brave.

 

When we find ourselves in this place, often we search for a reason. Rilke and Ziggy offer us the same reason -- ourselves. 

Start each day with gratitude

It's a big deal to wake up. Usually, until we get very old or experience a major illness, we don't think about it much. We just take it for granted.

It's no small thing to open our eyes, take in a deep breath and stretch. In that moments, at the start of my day, I say thank you. Not just for the waking up, but for being blessed with the potential each new day brings.

Each time we wake up, we get another chance to change things, fix things, do new things, perfect things, grow, love, heal, be blessed and be a blessing. With each awakening, we have new opportunities for joy, amazement, wonder, awe ...