Thanks also to Group Beyond Blue member Sissy Jo for this beautiful reflection. (You can find still others if you read the "This I Believe" thread at Group Beyond Blue at Beliefnet's Community.)
I believe that life shows its complexity and you begin to grasp way more after age 35 than you think you know when you are 17. In fact you don't even know what life is or what it means at that point and it seems like an eternity, a never-ending existence on this earth.
We are all part of the human race, all looking at life from our personal perspective; however, we are all connected. We all cry, laugh, get hungry, get sad, and want to be wanted and loved. I believe that some of us forget that connection.
I believe that there are not black and white answers to all things. I used to think that was true. Right and wrong do exist, however.
I believe that forgiveness is one of the greatest and most difficult things we can do, but it frees the soul indescribably.
I believe that nature has the ability to calm us and reach our inner spirit.
I believe that life is a journey and it's too bad we don't realize it until half of it is gone, that life is meant to be enjoyed. Learning life's lessons takes time too and you do gain wisdom as you get older.
I believe that older people are worth listening to, because we will all be in their shoes before we know it.
Mostly I believe that when people talk to each other, we find out we are all basically alike and there shouldn't be so many barriers between all the peoples of the world.
Life is a gift. Count your blessings and smile, unless you want to cry and that's ok too.
I believe the emotions are given to us to help us deal with life's issues.
Mostly I believe in the innate kindness and goodwill in most people and in the love of God, who strengthens and promises us help and ever-present guidance.
To read more Beyond Blue, go to www.beliefnet.com/beyondblue, and to get to Group Beyond Blue, a support group at Beliefnet Community, click here.
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"I believe that life is a journey and it's too bad we don't realize it until half of it is gone, that life is meant to be enjoyed. Learning life's lessons takes time too and you do gain wisdom as you get older.
I believe that older people are worth listening to, because we will all be in their shoes before we know it."
I agree--though I realized that life is a journey several years ago (I'm twenty). I also believe that life is like a book--the kind of novel you can't put down (only it's not fiction). The kind that makes you feel for the characters--the kind that makes you laugh when they laugh, cry when they cry. The only difference is that you are one of those characters! I use the "book" metaphor constantly.
I've almost always had a lot of respect for my "elders." Not because I should, but because they have lived longer than I have and so they've made mistakes and learned from life and know more about it than I do--and they can pass that knowledge and wisdom on to the younger generation. No wonder I volunteer at a nursing home!
Amen, Sissy - life IS a journey.
Blessings!
Brilliant! Thank you! Valerie
Thanks Sissy, Life is truly a journey, though sometimes the road is filled with pot holes, and we often take detours its still all part of out journey. I sure was glad to meet you on the way.
My late favorite uncle used to say that the biggestr thing G-d got wrong was the eorder of lfe; that we should be born old and get younger each year because then by the time we were young w could truly enjoy the perks of youth. I guess I've always found that an interesting concept. Actually, his exact wording was more like when you could afford a convertibele you'd be the right age to enjoy it, which is more specific but which,IMO embodies the same philosophy. It's something I've pondered a great deal as I headed towards today's birthdaywith fear and trembling (It's my fifty-ninth, which is WAY too close to sixty for my liking, especially given the current state of my life (financially AND personally.) I truly enjoyed (and was moved emotionally)your essay, Sissy. Thank you for allowing T to share it with us; it's quite profound! You're absolutel y"right on" in your observation that we frequently forget our connectedness!
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