What have you learned in the journey you’ve traveled?
Well, life is still mostly content with the ups and downs of working towards a new life. We know for certain this is the direction we are going in our life, but no-one said life was easy.
“Life isn’t meant to be easy, it’s meant to be lived. Sometimes good, other times rough. But with every up and down, you learn lessons that make you strong.”
When we came to the conclusion this would be the path our family would take, we knew the circumstances that came with it were going to be a challenge. The idea and feeling that came with letting “stuff” go was happy, uplifting and free! This was the strength and optimistic outlook we had always wanted in life. But just as I said earlier, this, like most everything in life, challenges are not always easy. I know in my heart that I have never been so sure of anything, as I am about simplifying our path.
My therapist once told me, the reason I’m able to let things go, is because I’m too ADD to remember my regrets or conflicts. Ah, she’s quite the comedian, but evidently it’s true. I can say that I’m not one to stress over regrets nor do I hold grudges. I know this is something that many struggle with and the fact that I don’t doesn’t make me immune from other issues in life.
“Life will change. Growth is optional. Choose wisely.”
Life for me has also always had drastic circumstances; not many small ones have ever been in the cards for me. I believe that the circumstances we face in life make us who we are with each one. We have the ability to learn and make something good from it or we can dwell in them and remain stagnant.
The first transformation of life was at the age of nine when my dad, Harold Kennedy died at the age of 42 from heart disease. Unbelievable that my dad could die so young! Next month I’ll be turning 42 !! I know the tragedy of losing my dad at such a young age has molded me into the person I am. I’d like to think I learned from it without playing the victim. It’s taught me passion and drive and the ability to always feel what others are feeling when they face similar circumstances. I still have a lot of life yet to live and I don’t want to have any regrets about how I chose to live it! God willing, I’ll have the opportunity in this new- life to live for purpose and not a life of personal self-interest.
To imagine a life free of mortgage, having more time, the ability to retire, the ability to give back, and to live with less stress feels like a dream. All of these things seem too surreal at times but I know it’s possible. As my close friends know, I’m not one to give up when I set my mind to doing something. This is going to be my biggest project of all, even bigger than my pet bed business. I never want to look back and wish I’d done something different or missed the opportunity to teach my girls the true purpose life.
Note: Anyone wanting to buy a pet bed, I’m running a sale. <hehehe>
“Your value is not determined by your valuables, and God says the most valuable things in life are not things!” – Rick Warren, The Purpose Driven Life: What on Earth Am I Here for?
I will not be hindered in what I know is right!
“Life has no limitations, except the ones you make.” – Les Brown
– Angie
