Life is Story

"The mind is everything. What you think you become." ~Buddha


Do you ever notice that you come to some conclusion or get an idea and suddenly from someone or somewhere else
you receive a message that gives you a sign that you are heading in the right direction? I have had that experience too many
times to count, especially in the last five years as I negotiated my way down the cluttered path of my life. Those messages are especially comforting when I am filled with self doubt.

Last evening's idea was not so earth shattering, nor was it life changing. It was however attitude changing. I am beginning to view my life as story. Aren't we all living, (and starring in), our own story?

Why did this come as a great revelation? Because I realized I can reframe my thinking; I can learn to view this time of transition in a new light - from declaring my independence (culminating in divorce), to finding my true love, they are just chapters in my life's story.

When I look at all of the trials and tribulations that have resulted from this great discovery in a different way- as story, then I can keep the current struggles in perspective. As the narrator and protagonist I can view the job search and it's ensuing disappointments as just one small part of my story. The real story is the blessing and joy that has come from finding true love and living the second half of my life with him.

Sounds pretty simple when I see it written on the page, but it was another one of those "paradigm shifts." I actually prefer to call them, "turning the prism." There are so many ways to look at a situation. Sometimes it takes many turns of the prism to find the beauty within your life.

Later, after posting my blog entry I was talking to my love and shared my insights from earlier. I realized as we talked that we are surrounded by rich characters. We have family, friends, neighbors, ex-spouses and a host of others who waltz in and out of our lives. They provide the spice in our life (or add a shot of bitters, depending on the person.)

I vowed then to begin to keep a record of our favorite characters and situations. The characterizations will give me plenty of material to draw on if I ever get the nerve to write more than a few pages. I often vow to start something new- exercise routines, eating better, a change of habit, but my firm resolve often turns into procrastination as I fill myself with enough doubt and excuses to put me off the task.

Not this time- someone sent me a message after reading my blog entry. She told me I should really think about writing a book. I think I will take that as a sign that I may be on the right path this time.

I'll keep you posted...