True In My Life copy

Good morning my lover. I hope you had a good night and a sweet sleep. I would be lying if I said that I had not hoped that you dreamt of me! But I do hope that I gave you SOME sleep and that you awoke feeling refreshed and ready to tackle the day.

As is usually the case, my mind drifts back to our earlier time together and I must admit, I am still a little baffled and confused. I wish I could tell you that I had it all figured out and that I would see to it that I corrected things and made everything perfect. But honestly, I cannot say that. I CAN tell you that I generally responded the way I always have. It is TRUE that I do have a tendency to act silly when I am scared or nervous….and that is just a way that I have always used to try and make OTHERS more comfortable with my nervousness while attempting to hide behind it myself. But there are some things that I have always done. No one really taught them to me, I did not really read of them anywhere, they were not some mantra that I have learned to follow. In fact, I did not even realize that I did them until recently, but after much introspection, I have found the following to be true in my life:

1. Always look for beauty….even in the ugly. I have found that even in ugly things there is beauty. Sometimes we have to look hard for it. Sometimes it is right there staring us in the face, but if we look hard enough we can always find it. I think He designed it that way. Of course, I know that beauty is in the eye of the beholder. I know that what is beautiful to me may not be beautiful to another, but I think there is enough beauty in all things that we can ALL find something that appeals to us, if we look for it.
2. Always look for the good….even in the bad stuff. Sometimes you have to look REALLY hard for this one…and you may have to REALLY think outside the box, but most of the time, you can find something good in every situation. It may not be good for YOU, it may not feel good at the time, it may take some time for the good to reveal itself to you, but I have found that in almost every case, there IS something good to be found.
3. Remember that no matter how bad things are, they can always be worse! If we really stop to think about it and are really honest with ourselves, most of us have it pretty good. Of course, we could always ask for more. And most of us do! But there is always someone, somewhere that has it worse than I do. I have really TRIED to learn to be content in all things. Sometimes I forget…and sometimes I start the “Poor me” thing…and then I remember, I am not the only one to be going through this and as bad as it is, it CAN get worse…and often times does.
4. Remember that none of us are promised tomorrow. We make plans for our lives…we decide what we want and where we want to be and how we are going to live our lives…and NONE of us are promised tomorrow. It can all be gone in a flash. So if you love it now….do it with all your heart. If you love someone, let them know, they may be gone tomorrow. Use the time you have wisely, you never know when it will be gone.
5. Remember that no one is perfect. And to whom much mercy is given, much will be required. We all make mistakes, we all do stupid stuff. We all do things that we regret. I have been forgiven by many…many times. I need to do the same. Sometimes it is REALLY hard to do that. And I am learning that this does NOT mean that it is okay to let people run over you. AND that just as we forgive others, we also need to forgive ourselves.
6. “Take care lest a root of bitterness spring up in you.” I have seen first hand what bitterness and hatred can do to a person. It is important to guard your heart. Bitterness will literally transform you into someone that no one can even recognize. And what is worse, you THINK that the bitterness and hatred is contained inside yourself and nothing is farther from the truth. It touches and “infects” everyone you come in contact with, leaving them with “YUK” all over them. It will suck the life and LOVE out of those around you.
7. Laugh when you can. Life is FULL of seriousness! EVERYWHERE you look you must face serious situations daily. Sometimes there is nothing you can do to prevent it. In fact, MOST of the time there is nothing you can do to prevent it. But just as you can find beauty in most things and good in most things, you can find “funny” in most things too. Sometimes it is not readily apparent. Sometimes it may take a while of being out of the situation to see it and unfortunately, sometimes it cannot be found at all. SO….when it can be found….laugh. It is good for the heart and good for the soul…it is a GOOD medicine.

There have been times that I have failed at one or more of these…and I usually pay the price later on. I don’t know….perhaps it was by following these principles that I have made it through some of the harder times in my life. Perhaps they are nothing more than a selfish means of self preservation? But they work for me. I would love to think they work for everyone, but as you so aptly remind me…not everyone is like me. SO…I state them here not for anyone to feel like they need to follow. Far be it from me to have any REAL words of wisdom….all I know is…that it works for me…and has made and continues to make me who I am. SO I hope by reading them, perhaps you can understand a little of why I do what I do, although I have a feeling you know all this already. I am “transparent” to you after all. <smiles>

So be patient with your silly wife and know that she loves you. Know that she respects you and all that you do. Know that she appreciates the wonderful things that you do for her and all the way you show your love to her…and that she is NOT too old to learn new lessons!

I love you, jackie….

Immer……D