What I Know

If you knew then what you know now . . . what would you have done differently?  I review this thought from time-to-time.  I ponder my chosen paths.  I seek new meanings and insights with a clearer view through the lens of time and newfound understandings.

 

My existence by most “normal” standards could lead you to believe my list of do-overs would be exceedingly long.  The diverse catastrophes others would judge to be . . . regretful, immoral, painful, tragic, hurtful, disruptive, sinful, insane . . . are the verses of my life’s song. 

 

Tell me, how does one battle self-doubt?  That droning in your head that nags at you.  It can be about anything . . . your job . . . your appearance . . . your parenting . . . your lifestyle . . . your art . . . your behavior . . . your relationships . . . most usually your choices.  How do you silence the nasty, little voice that questions the ways that you have chosen to follow and recriminates you when your life goes astray?

 

I have during my life given that voice, my “invisible friend” plenty of ammunition.  There are too those more than willing to remind me how poorly I have managed things past.

 

Most of the time, my “friend” is silent these days.  I have made a peace with myself as to who I am.  It hasn’t always been that way.  I have through my life made a colossal mess of things and continue to this day to suffer the calamities that seem a part of my destiny.  The tumbles I now have become easier to take in stride.  I have learned to more readily accept the lessons fate is teaching me and to gather to me those things offered that make me grow.

 

 

In answer to the old query, “If you knew then what you know now, what would you have done differently” . . . I wouldn’t change one bit of it.  I regret none of the choices I made.  I’m secure in those moments I was being tested I did the best I could.   There is no requisite that we must make life miserable simply because miserable things happen. I keep hearing a thing that makes more sense to me every day.  We are not human entities having a spiritual experience, but rather spiritual entities having a human experience. 

 

I see that human experience as a journey opportuning us visits to great stores of knowledge and understanding.  I have learned to gather to me the positive things and be happy of the gift.  Should I not harm anyone, should I help someone, should I love others, should I touch another, should I have caused laughter, thought, happiness, succor, then I’m okay with what comes to me in my life.  I know it is sent to me so I may grow spiritually in the only likely way I might. 

 

If I hadn’t done then what I did, I wouldn’t know now what I do.  So when its all said and done . . . you might as well enjoy the trip.