As I drove home from work this morning, I breathed in the beauty and peace of a town at rest for the one day of the year. For the other 364 days of the year, the town is full of hustle and bustle from morning till night, even on Sundays. It's sad that making money has become more important than building strong families. In the end, it's the family bonds we build that really matter in life.
We may chase rainbows day after day looking for that better life, but what we really want and need is right under our noses. My youngest daughter has learned this lesson the hard way. She couldn't wait to get away from home, be on her own, live in a big city, and fulfill wild dreams. She left 4 months ago to start that journey. Today, living in Toronto, expecting a baby in June, she's terribly home sick. She misses her family and the unconditional love she never recognized at the time. She misses all that is familiar, all that is home, and she also misses being able to see the stars at night.
Last night I was planning a lesson for church on Sunday titled, "Finding Joy in the Journey". It teaches that we should "relish life as we live it, find joy in the journey, and share our love with friends and family".
This past year I have tried hard to find joy in my journey of life. Far too often I was always waiting for a better tomorrow and never fully appreciating today. I have learned that if I pile up enough tomorrows, I'll soon find I've collected a lot of empty yesterdays, because there are no tomorrows to remember if I don't do something today. What I have and what I don't have exist together in my life. They are parallel realities. I understand that it is up to me to decide which secret garden to tend to. Will I focus on what is missing in my life, or celebrate with knowledge of all that I have - love, health, home, a job, joy of the outdoors, kung fu and other pursuits that bring me happiness?
Instead of being fooled by illusions of a different tomorrow, I need to drink in the appreciation of today. That doesn't mean I can't set goals, and work towards tomorrow. It simply means I must enjoy today because there may not always be a tomorrow. It's a reality of life that we all have lurking around the corner.
I have never taken for granted the blessings of personal health and that of my children. I am deeply grateful to have children who love and respect me, and love and respect each other. As I think of my 4 children today in 3 different parts of the country, my gratitude and love for them is strong. I am missing them on this Christmas day. They are what have made my journey worthwhile. They are what have filled my memory banks overflowing with fun, laughter, learning, and really great times.
We hear often how the destination is not as important as the journey to get there. Getting a black belt means nothing without all the hard work and effort to achieve it. Being on top of a mountain is breathtaking, but the journey to climb it is unforgettable. To take a helicopter to get on top of a mountain would take all the joy out of the journey. The smells of wild flowers, sounds of trickling streams, view of nearby mountain sheep, muscles working hard, the beauty of being one with nature, the people you meet along the way, the personal growth and accomplishment are all important parts of the journey that would be lost. The destination means so much more when it involves a journey of enjoyment, of personal growth, strength, sacrifice, and accomplishment.
As my children have grown and moved away, I am left with only my son at home. I am enjoying my time with him. I am enjoying this time in my life when I can bend my focus more towards doing what I like to do, for me and me alone. I'm finding it's a whole new world out there when I can put in guilt free time away from home to pursue things that bring me joy. I am finding great joy in my personal journey. I also recognize the joy in the journey I have taken with my children and other loved ones over the years. The time has gone fast.
It wouldn't be proper to discuss my life's journey without acknowledging the role that kung fu has played . The largest part of my personal growth has come from my kung fu, and all that I have experienced through my training, and from my mentors in the school. My kung fu journey is very special to me. It is personal and meaningful in ways that no one will ever be able to understand.
This past year I have tried hard to find joy in my journey of life. Far too often I was always waiting for a better tomorrow and never fully appreciating today. I have learned that if I pile up enough tomorrows, I'll soon find I've collected a lot of empty yesterdays, because there are no tomorrows to remember if I don't do something today. What I have and what I don't have exist together in my life. They are parallel realities. I understand that it is up to me to decide which secret garden to tend to. Will I focus on what is missing in my life, or celebrate with knowledge of all that I have - love, health, home, a job, joy of the outdoors, kung fu and other pursuits that bring me happiness?
Instead of being fooled by illusions of a different tomorrow, I need to drink in the appreciation of today. That doesn't mean I can't set goals, and work towards tomorrow. It simply means I must enjoy today because there may not always be a tomorrow. It's a reality of life that we all have lurking around the corner.
I have never taken for granted the blessings of personal health and that of my children. I am deeply grateful to have children who love and respect me, and love and respect each other. As I think of my 4 children today in 3 different parts of the country, my gratitude and love for them is strong. I am missing them on this Christmas day. They are what have made my journey worthwhile. They are what have filled my memory banks overflowing with fun, laughter, learning, and really great times.
We hear often how the destination is not as important as the journey to get there. Getting a black belt means nothing without all the hard work and effort to achieve it. Being on top of a mountain is breathtaking, but the journey to climb it is unforgettable. To take a helicopter to get on top of a mountain would take all the joy out of the journey. The smells of wild flowers, sounds of trickling streams, view of nearby mountain sheep, muscles working hard, the beauty of being one with nature, the people you meet along the way, the personal growth and accomplishment are all important parts of the journey that would be lost. The destination means so much more when it involves a journey of enjoyment, of personal growth, strength, sacrifice, and accomplishment.
As my children have grown and moved away, I am left with only my son at home. I am enjoying my time with him. I am enjoying this time in my life when I can bend my focus more towards doing what I like to do, for me and me alone. I'm finding it's a whole new world out there when I can put in guilt free time away from home to pursue things that bring me joy. I am finding great joy in my personal journey. I also recognize the joy in the journey I have taken with my children and other loved ones over the years. The time has gone fast.
It wouldn't be proper to discuss my life's journey without acknowledging the role that kung fu has played . The largest part of my personal growth has come from my kung fu, and all that I have experienced through my training, and from my mentors in the school. My kung fu journey is very special to me. It is personal and meaningful in ways that no one will ever be able to understand.
2 comments:
Don't know what to say, except beautiful! I appreciate what you put into writing this posting and to share it with all of us. Your word have touched me and I feel blessed to know you.
Darnell
Great sharing Brenda;
Linda
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