For your consideration…
My uncle uses this expression all of the time, “This is a train wreck waiting to happen.” As we live through our experiences, we learn and grow. We have the benefit of hindsight. As good people, we know we need to share our knowledge so that others do not have to go through the painful lessons that we did.
We especially like to share and save our loved ones, certainly our children from repeating our mistakes. Without judgment, the size of the mistake is of no consequence. Sharing our lessons learned comes from our hearts and love.
When I was a teenager, my mother was very strict. I was very closely supervised more so than any of my friends. My high school experience was an unhappy one. Ultimately, I could not take it anymore and left my mother’s home, all of my friends, my school, and moved to live with my dad. Where my mother’s rules were, “If there is no good and absolute reason to do an event at school or with friends, then no, you can not do it.” My dad was the exact opposite, “If there wasn’t a good reason why you shouldn’t do something, then absolutely go for it…learn, grow, have fun.”
My mother’s philosophy was fear-based. She became pregnant for me when she was 16. She and my dad married but divorced 6 years later. This is despite the fact that each of them on their dying beds declared that the other was the love of their lives. It is sad that they did not have the experience to make their marriage work. It was a painful experience that my mother was desperate I not make.
Our message today tells us that sharing our experience with a kind, wise, and loving heart is exactly what we need to do. But…there is always a but…always a balance, we can not force others to receive it. We cannot prevent them from choosing to make the same mistakes we did. We cannot prevent, “their train wreck” from happening if they choose to go do those tracks. We just have to stand by and be there when they need our support.
That is the HOPE. And so it is.
Bit by bit, piece by piece, HOPE by HOPE action steps anyone can take…
-Affirm…“I am loved.”
-Meditate/pray…ask…”What is my next step for my highest good and the highest good of all?”
-Drink lots of water.
-Get outdoors and take in at least 10 deep breaths.
-Share our experiences but accept others’ choices.
What made me smile yesterday…
-A beautiful, warm, sunny day.
-PT came for Bruce.
-A great friend in Mary.
-Shrubs all trimmed and flower/herb beds cleared out. You just have to love those hardy herbs that just keep coming back. I seriously had parsley until we went to Florida for two months and have it back again right now.
-Finished a book series.
-Catching up with Alex.
Love, Blessings, and Gratitude,
Rev. Chris
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