One of the songs I enjoy listening to lately is "This is your Life" by Switchfoot. No matter how many times I hear that song, I'm humming and really enjoying it! I found myself disecting the lyrics recently. Really listening to what they are saying in the song.
"Yesterday, is a wrinkle on your forehead
Yesterday, is a promise that you've broken
Don't close your eyes, don't close your eyes
and today is all you've got now
and today is all you've ever had
Don't close your eyes
This is your life, are you where you want to be?
This is your life, is it everything you dreamed?
that it would be when the world was younger?
and you had everything to lose?
Yesterday is a kid in the corner
Yesterday is dead and over"
Definitely words to ponder don't you think? I look back at the years that have gone by, I do regret some things, I do wish I had made other choices, but had I not made those choices, would I be where I am today? Do I think where I am today is where I want to be? Is it everything that I had dreamed?
Ask me these questions say, ten years ago, I might have said no. As me these questions today, I'm more reflective, wiser, older.....I'm swinging a bit both ways, yes and no, more on the yes, less on the no!
Let's dissect a bit, you'll learn some more about me I'm sure. Financially, am I where I want to be, yes and no. Yes, because I've managed to get us on that path to where our children will be secured if anything happens to us. Hopefully, with what they've learned from us, they will be wise in how they utilize what will be theirs. While I can't say that I have anything physical to leave with them except, three older cars, and our assorted belongings, our portfoliio will leave them very happy! That we didn't have 10 years ago. That I have made sure, after waking up and smelling the cofee and realising that hey, what are you working for if not for your children? So, I don't mind living in a less affluent way so that they are assured some comforts when no one else will be there for them.
Daily living can be hair raising at times, but you know what? I'm loving that we have learned from our mistakes and are on the mend! There's still a lot to be done, but I can sleep at nights and I don't go over my limitations! Eventually we will have our own place, when that time comes it will be our destiny. Until then, we are where we are!
Where my career is concerned, I am not where I could have been but it is where I want to be. I have flexibility, and although the salary is not as great (although it is important), the benefits far outweighs that! My family and friends wonder, why do you settle for that? They don't understand that peace of mind and comfort of family is what I need more than anything else. Sure I could be up there hob nobbing, fighting my way in the rat race, but that's not what I'm interested in doing anymore. What my future holds for me, my destiny is mine to seek and I will find it. So yes, I am where I want to be. I will be hob nobbing with my own goals in mind!
It might not be what I had dreamt or planned, but I believe my destiny created those plans for me and it is why I am where I am today. Awaiting the experiences, experiencing the possibilities!
Your life is what you make of it, this is very true! What you want, and how much you want does depend on you! Sure there will be stumbling blocks along the way. It is what you do that takes those moments and make them into ladders, no matter how small, those are your ladders, you created them! Sometimes it is difficult not to look at others success, what they have and wonder about yourself. But if you keep on doing that, you'll always be behind, you'll never catch up, that is if your goal is to be like them. I"ve learned that lesson. I am obligated to the person's I"ve made promises to, the person who pays my salary, who I owe money to at the end of the month, but I'm also obligated to myself even more. Although the chasm seems to be widening at times, it is those little moments that I carve out for myself, and go after, that makes my life what I dream.
"Don't close your eyes, don't close your eye"
"This is your life"......