Thought provoking posts.......

"You are never too old to set another goal or to dream a new dream."

C.S.Lewis

How true that is - you are never too old to set goals or to dream. This is most definitely a huge part of me. If there is nothing to look forward to, or to work towards, then what the heck are we doing with our lives? Every new project we start, every plan we make for the garden, every dream we have of adventures.... all good. And all essential for living rich and full days. Now that I am older, my life is taking on a different shape and colour, and there are so many different things to get to grips with. I have been reading things which leap out at me and make me stop in my tracks. Eureka moments. Do you have them too? 

I also know that I have some unrealistic dreams, but I keep them in the "dreams book" because I have never got round to admitting the impossible exists. It is not a part of me, and never has been. I overlook potential problems and get on with the dreaming. I probably always will, because it is me. Me. 

And then I stumbled upon this and, instead of just nodding my head in agreement at the wisdom of the words and moving on, I stopped and realised that in many ways, I am doing what they said they regretted. Or not doing. And it messed with my mind a WHOLE LOT yesterday. Pop off and read or re-read it, people. I will wait here. #1 and #3 specifically. {{Shudder.}}

If you read the headings, you can happily nod all the way through. BUT, if you read the examples she cites, all of a sudden there are the "wait a minute...." moments. Dreams, not fulfilled because of worry about other people.....not expressing yourself well, holding back the words, and then this bit " they settled for a mediocre existence and never became who they were truly capable of becoming". Hmmm. 

Possibly because I am over the hump, so to speak, of life - ie there are more days lived out already than probably lie ahead (I don't actually think I want to be 116 anyway) I found the whole article very pertinent. I need to make some changes. 

And then in the vein of change, I read another post, this time about adult children, and this too, was a clarion call, so off you go and read it now.

Bev at Numbering the Days has written about her dear friend's visit, and the life lesson she learned from her - as did I and I suspect a great many others. 

Tris loved me enough, was wise enough, that she spoke the truth. She said, 'Bev, it isn't about YOUR family anymore. It's about them and theirs. They all turned out great. Be thankful for that. Enjoy it. Let them each have their own lives.'

This shouts out loudly to me - your family is gone or going - their focus in life is to build their own home and life,  and on it goes. Of course it is right. Once they grow and leave, it is to do as the birds do, fly, build, nest and ever onwards. I loved the part where she spoke of the returning birds not finding their parents and sibling each year! 

And here I am, just like her, wanting a family - MY family- photo too. But then, I don't think there is anything wrong with wanting a photo. However, in MY family, this is always an epic task and generally does not work. Anyway. I can cut and paste and crop and touch up and make myself slimmer and more glamorous and slinky and do one myself. 

Hah. 

So there has been a whole lot of thinking going on here. No doubt there will be a lot more talking too in the days to come.  But this very moment, the sun has popped out after a wet and cold day so I am going to inspect the boundaries.... ie check the pots in the garden for new growth. I need the vitamin D. 

Have a lovely weekend!