Life is a Journey, Enjoy Each Step You Take

Learning from past experiences by writing

Currently, I am enrolled in a Creative Non-fiction Writing class. I love this class and enjoy learning how to be a better writer.  Writing proves to be an amazing process to me.  As I write through my thought processes, I discover things I never fully understand before or sometimes it helps me to change my perspective on my current or past situations.

Recently for my class, I wrote about a past time in my life which I consider one of the most challenging times of my life.  As I thought through that experience, remembering, and reflecting upon that trying time, I saw something that I never realized before.  I have continued to blame my circumstances and other people for that challenging time.  I was miserable and depressed and decided to change my path following that difficult semester at college.  What I realize today is I had the power to change things, but instead I allowed myself to be swallowed up in misery, so much that I couldn't see beyond myself, or find a way through my challenges in the moment. I wish instead of just focusing on getting past that semester, I wish I would have worked harder to find happiness during those four months.

All these years later, I finally look at that time differently.   Of course, years of experience help me see what I couldn’t see then.  Reflecting upon it helps me not forget my past trials, but to continue to learn from them to give me wisdom and understanding to face my current and future challenges.

Capturing our thought processes and to see where our thinking will lead us is an incredible experience. Those "aah" moments when we change the way we perceive life or understand something we never truly grasped before continues to be my favorite thing about writing

Moving -- Always an Adventure

In 1995, my husband graduated from college and we set out on a new adventure.  As we drove the rental van towards the midwest, we could not imagine the course our lives would take. Six states later and an average of a move every 2.4 years created many new adventures. For each place we called home, I tried to focus not on where we used to live, but on where we currently lived.  Some moves required a longer adjustment period, other moves we quickly acclimated to our new home.  Some people ask me which place I consider to be my favorite.  I really don't know which I would label my favorite.  I identify each place with the memorable stories and with different challenges. Though moving is difficult, I have learned to adapt, to be open-minded, to seek God's will and guidance through our many changes.  We know the word "change" very well.  I love seeing new parts of the country, meeting new people, and creating new experiences.  Moving, with all its ups and downs, proves to be an adventure. I have come to accept that this is my life, and I'm determined to make the best of each new adventure.

The Challenges of Parenting -- Am I Up to the Task?

When it comes to parenting, I sometimes question if I am up to the task. I try not to become discouraged, but with the daily challenges of teaching children, helping children, and resolving conflict, at times, I feel discouraged. It is not easy raising a family.

As a mom, I worry -- at any one time I could probably express a worry I have about each or most of my children.  I don't think its going to get any easier.  This is not an easy world to live in, evil surrounds us and constantly tries to bombard our family. I must help my children to understand this battle and fight, fight, fight--to overcome the world, to stand strong, to be good examples, to withstand temptation, to rise above.  My husband and I must be their captains -- and lead them into or away from battle, depending on whether fighting is required.  We must teach our children who they are and who they can become.  We must help them see that life is more than the images portrayed in music, movies, and the internet.

This Is My Quest--no matter how hopeless, no matter how far.  The Impossible Dream is my theme for our family.  I have loved this song since a teenager.  I use it now when I contemplate how difficult life and parenting is.  A war wages all around us.  I cannot shrink from my duty as co-captain of our army. Thankfully, God's on our side -- that is the only way we can succeed.

My Favorite Song

The large stereo cabinet stood in the living room of my childhood home. It played my mom's favorite records and even 8-tracks.  It took up a lot of space being about 6 feet wide and 4 feet tall.  I loved my mom's stereo. I spent hours listening to my mom's favorite singers, including Barbara Streisand, Petula Clark, Jim Nabors and a few others.  Though I knew I couldn't sing, I would still sing along to my favorites (usually I waited until I would be home alone, before belting out the songs.)

As I grew up listening to these songs, I learned to love a great ballad.  I considered "The Impossible Dream" to be my favorite then as I listened to Jim Nabors sing it.  I love that song to this day.  I dream I can actually sing that song, but that's definitely the Impossible Dream.  For now, I will simply enjoy listening to the song, and using it as a theme for my life.  As I face my challenges and overcome my imperfections, I hope to endure and to learn from my life, and to make my life all it can be.