My New Reality
This is part of some of the reinventing I did after my 30 year marriage ended.
My ex being kind said, “Take what you want.” So I did.
I took the years of friendship and left behind the animosity.
I took the happy memories and left behind the fighting.
I took the help when it was offered and left behind the doubt.
I took the life’s lessons I had learned and left behind the mistakes I made.
I took the chance for a new start and left behind the fears that were holding me back.
I took all this into my new reality.
Was I frightened? You bet!
Did I make mistakes? You bet!
But I have learned that I could do it on my own. I could deal with life as it comes at me, and sometimes I could even make things better. If I had to ask for help, I learned to do that too.
I have learned I am responsible for my own happiness and my choices. If something or someone makes me unhappy it is my choice as to how I let it affect me. I can live with it, deal with it, or move on.
I have learned to pick my fights. Some things are worth the fight and some are not. I try not to get caught up in the small stuff so I have the energy to fight for the stuff that really matters to me.
I have learned what good friends are. I have them and try to be one. Sometimes you give and some times you receive. Do both graciously.
I have learned to love my friends as my family of choice. They are the family I have chosen for myself.
I have learned to love my family as friends and sometimes it means forgiving them and myself for the mistakes of the past. The past is the past, we can’t change it. But we can choose to let the hurt go and keep the smiles.
I have learned to learn new things. That is the only way to keep growing and if you are not growing you are dying, even if it is just emotionally.
I have learned to say “Yes” more than “No”. But not yes to everything and it is my right to say no if I choose to.
I have learned it is not selfish to take time for myself. If I need an hour or a few days off, I take them. The laundry will get done and the house will eventually get cleaned maybe just not today. And that is okay too.
I have learned to tell those I love that I love them, because you never know when you will loose them.
I have learned that small things make me happy: a sunset and yes sometimes a sunrise also: a laugh with a friend: shared time, even if it is just a cup coffee as a time out in a busy day.
I have learned that when things go wrong and they will, you can treat it as a disaster or and adventure. Adventures are more fun.
I have learned to add new people to my life. New friends don’t replace old friends, they add to them and after a while they become old friends too.
I am learning that while each of my friends and family make up my circle, that I am only one part of theirs.
I am learning I don’t have to have a lot to give to be able to give something back. Sometimes just being there is enough.
I am learning to live in today for it is all we have. Tomorrow will come or it won’t and over that I have no control.
I am learning to say “Thank you” to the people who bring joy into my life.
Thank you.