So many events have lead up to today, it is practically pointless to mention them all, but I can summarize what I have learned from all of them. The final one (well final for today) being the death of my neighbour, an 84 year old man who lived alone. The finality of it all. I was the last person to see and talk to him and I thankfully said "Hi! How are you! I am taking pictures of the blue moon!" rather than being too busy and not acknowledging him at all, which would have been easy to do as he and I were both busy even though we were 10 feet from one another and really do not know each other. Well, maybe that is not true either... he has watched from his front step for the last 8 years... he's seen my kids and dog growing up and our life happen from a distance. Maybe he knew me and mine, but I didn't know his. I only found out his name today.
Anyhow, in the last few months I have learned some important lessons.
- I have learned that even when what appears to be the perfect opportunity in life presents itself, sometimes the best things in life are already there.
- I have learned that my belief system, although open to questions, is not wavering.
- I am me! I am nobody else and there is nothing wrong with me or my beliefs! Although some people (more like most) cannot and will not ever understand me, that is their problem, not mine. My beliefs are based on experience and although disconcerting to some, they are there for a reason and I truly 100% believe in what I do.
- I believe in ethics, both in personal and in business matters. Nothing irks me more than a person taking advantage of another knowingly.
- My family is very important to me. They are the reason I go on in life. Although it is nice to have that break, I wouldn't be me without them (and frankly I would be bored, they add so much more to it than I ever thought possible!). I've learned to value my time with them more than I used to, even if it is just to be in the same room, I am grateful for it.
- I value my sleep (sounds funny, but really it is a big thing for me lol)!
- My husband is the best thing since sliced bread! I cannot imagine this world without him... and I hope I never have to experience it (which I guess means, I have to die first lol).
- Life ends. You can be driving home at 11 pm one night, but this does not mean you will wake up to see tomorrow. There is a time when the seconds you have in this world are finite.
- Be kind to people... take that moment to look at the waitress serving you and look her in the eye. She's important, as are most people in your life, even if only for a second, they may change your world in that instant.
- Some people cannot be helped. I saw this from a few different angles actually. There are those that refuse to change their life for the better... they are not ready... and there are others who take every act of kindness as an act of malicious intent. Don't waste your time on those people... there are other people that do need it and are willing to accept it. This is not to say don't ever try, but if it is not received in the first or second instance, then focus on something less exhausting in the end.
I can honestly say I understand a few more things now. And by looking at the above list, you may say to yourself, well DUH! But honestly, I always thought I did too. I now have a firm grasp on it all and am at peace, which is something I cannot say back in June. All my core belief systems were tested over the past few months and I put some really deep thought into why I believe what I do. The events of these past few months showed me why.
I hope everyone experiences what I did in this time period, because it is really eye-opening. I believe these are probably the events that lead up to many people following a religion. They find something that reinforces those belief systems and suits them. I did not find that (I didn't really seek it though), but I can understand why someone would embrace a religion later in life. I went through what I assume would be the same questions of faith and my answers just happened to be different than many, although not wrong either. The biggest answer I got.... Nobody is wrong... it's all perception. And I can say that with 100% certainty.
