Harriet Cabelly, LCSW
Therapist . Speaker . Author
I just read a fabulous blog posting that really resonated with me. I even printed it up; something I don’t often do as I read so many blogs. But this one hit me so that I feel moved to piggy-back and take off a bit more on a concept that Adrienne, the writer, touched upon.
First of all, I ask that you please read, The 3 Secrets of Extraordinary Living, from her blog, Experience Life Fully.
So what’s her idea that ‘wowed’ me? “Imagine yourself as an old man or woman… and you’ve just finished reading the Book of Your Life. What expression is on your face?”
That certainly made me stop and really take it in. It’s a new twist on something that I reflect upon often. It reminds me of the quote:
“Twenty years from now you will be more disappointed by the things that you didn’t do than by the ones you did do. ..” Mark Twain
Are we at least attempting to live in a manner we’re proud of and feel good about? It’s not always about the end result or the product, but rather the journey and process. We can feel proud of our Attempts even if we don’t ‘succeed’, but the sorrow and regret we can feel over missed opportunities cannot be erased and recaptured.
What seemed to have sprung forth from me after witnessing my daughter, Nava’s, miraculous survival, was a burning desire to live life with a sense of urgency, in a very conscious way, seeking out opportunities that spoke to my values, interests and dreams.
They may not all have become a permanent part of who I am; after my clowning experience in Sicily, I didn’t go on to become a clown, but having stepped out of my comfort zone to do something that had enticed me for years, is what I hold dear to me and adds to my wonderful repertoire of life’s activities.
Foster parenting a service dog didn’t make me into a dog-raiser for the disabled, but it provided me with an incredibly meaningful experience that continues to bring a smile to my face whenever I see a yellow lab.
What calls out to you – what interests, dreams, pursuits, activities? Can you make the attempt to do one thing and then another and possibly another, so that the expression on your face when you look at your book of life can be one of satisfaction? And yes, even difficulties can yield a certain sense of satisfaction.
Obviously nobody asks for the tough challenges, but once we have them, how are we handling them? Can we look back and say, ‘they were rough all right, but I was able to persevere and come through it intact with an ability to create joy and meaning in my life’?
Create your book of life – with intention and purpose and awareness. Make those pages jump out with authenticity and passion.
Thank you for reading. Comments are most welcome. Please consider subscribing and sharing this via facebook/ twitter.
Hi Harriet,
Lovely post. One simply can’t “go through the motions” in Life viz a cork bobbing in the ocean at the mercy of all elements with no ability to steer. Grab hold of the wheel (of your Life) and steer a course with intent, I say.
Thank you for stirring my juices.
be good to yourself
David
Hi David,
I love your metaphor of the cork bobbing in the ocean…..
I know you’re ‘steering your course’ well and with intent.
Thanks for commenting. Always appreciated.
Us middle-agers need to be vigilant with this living well stuff. As they say, if not now, when. Now it is.
Dear Harriet,
I’m so touched by your words and so glad my post resonated with you! I love how you have expounded upon it here.
You’ve obviously been through some tough challenges, and it’s amazing how you’ve taken those experiences and grown from them…”a burning desire to live life with a sense of urgency, in a very conscious way, seeking out opportunities that spoke to my values, interests and dreams.”
Have you ever heard of or read “The Five Secrets You Must Discover Before You Die” by John Izzo? It’s where I first came across the analogy of “the old man or woman sitting on the porch.” It was a powerful image that’s stuck with me ever since. By keeping that image in mind, I’m reminded to take risks, seize opportunities, and experience life fully.
Like you alluded to, it’s about one choice, one action, one dream at a time. After all it’s those choice and actions that fill the chapters in the book of our lives, right? 🙂
Hi Adrienne,
Thank you so much for your great comment. I will definitely read your recommendation, The Five Secrets….
You are a Very wise young woman. I sure didn’t know all this ‘good living’ stuff back when I was in your age bracket.
You certainly have the right ideas and express them all so well.
Write on. Fill those chapters well, as I’m sure you will.
Hi Harriet,
I have a similar test, it’s called the “Rocking Chair test. I imagine that I am 80 years old or so and reflect back on my life. It’s true that I would be most upset by the things that I didn’t do than the ones that I did.
I am inspired by your post to take time this evening to write my own book outlining the important things that I wish to accomplish.
Hi Justin,
Welcome to my blog. Great you came by and left a comment.
I like that – the ‘Rocking Chair test’.
We all need to be mindful of those things we talk about doing and then let slip by.
Come by again and let me know how you’re doing with fulfilling your important interests.