I am a fan of stories: Books, movies, TV, theater, and yours. I believe we all have a story to tell that is unique, very personal, belonging to you as a one-of-a-kind individual in this huge world. Each person is distinctive, as is your story.
Have you ever wondered how your story took its shape? How did you get here? Here being a place you never could have imagined possible; Good/bad or indifferent. But here is where you are.
If you are a deep thinker or have lots of time on your hands, you may dwell on the place you have arrived with thoughts of the past and what twists and turns pushed you forward. Formulating questions about the who’s that influenced you, the what experiences that helped make your choices, the where’s you have been, the when’s of your timing and the why’s of your decisions, could be a project to tackle for a lifetime. As each day passes, no matter how old you are, it’s not unusual to ask yourself these questions.
But do the answers matter? Does anyone want to spend so much time fine-tooth-combing their life? Only each of you can answer these questions.
If these questions are important, it might be a fun time to read/reread Dr. Seuss book’s, Oh, the Places You’ll Go! and You’re Only Old Once!
Oh, The Places You’ll Go! can remind you if there was one experience, apparent or unapparent, that turned the future on a path you didn’t see coming because your actions and/or reactions came from that event. Did this one happening make you lost or ground you? Did you have to invent a new “me” to get through something that crushed your spirit or were tools available to move on in spite of it?
Being lost or not true to your identity is not exclusive to being young. But young people have more time to find their best selves whereas older folks may feel time is running out and being the best version of oneself doesn’t matterbecause at this point in life I am who I am.
You’re Only Old Once can reflect that you have more time when you’re younger to find your true self. Can older people let go of the younger angst and then reveal the real “me?” Or does the who, the what, the where, the why and the how continue to hold your personal baggage hostage so others have a mere perception of the who that morphed over the years? Is there courage enough to strip away the façade that has created the stranger in the mirror? Everyone wants to fit in their real skin, be authentic and appreciated for their story.
Hopefully, the answers you find can put your life in a peaceful perspective and with any luck you won’t beat yourself up for the wrong turns while just learning more about this unique journey of life.
Dr. Seuss had a strong message of accepting challenges and failures as a learning tool, embracing new opportunities without fear, being open minded to move out of your comfort zone and using your power of decision making in everything you do.
His stories also expressed how wonderful life can be when you’re aware of joy, gratitude, kindness and ambition. How did any of these qualities affect the who you are? Was it one person or experience?
The places you’ll go/went and you’re only young/old once are great experiences to share with family and loved ones so your story is understood, valued, respected and known distinctively as yours. Stories are to be shared.
How about telling yours today?
As a Baby Boomer Bubbe who still feels 18 but has four grand kids to prove this is the 21 Century, Sandra writes to leave a legacy for the next generations. Her belief that these precious kids need to know their cultural and family’s past in order for them to live their future is all the muse she needs!
She has a Master’s Degree in Psychology and Cross Cultural studies, has written a family history, personal memoir and is completing her first novel.
Her grandmother’s journey to America and life is her source for her deep belief and love for Judaism.
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