For some, life is planned, an evolving epitaph to the shape our lessons have fashioned. The influences that have strived and oft times succeeded in wielding our compliance, our dedication, and our understanding of our worth. These are the stories that have laid the gravel of the road on which we've journeyed.

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We are what we've been taught, we are that with which we have surrounded ourselves, by choice or by circumstance.

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We are, however, ultimately the master of the choices we eventually make. Those choices may be motivated by the voices in our heads that have been fashioned by our experience. Or, perhaps, if we are open, listening, tuning into the unseen forces that are forever lurking within our consciousness, we are on the path to become who we are destined to be.

 

We are what we choose, how we see both our own possibilities and those that exist in the world around us despite our circumstance or history.

 

Vision is a gift that can elude even those of us who believe our sight is unencumbered.

 

True vision comes from a place both deep within ourselves and from an ethereal realm of spirit that is forever reminding us of our path, our mission... if only we heed its message, its call. If we choose to listen to an inner voice, to actualize the vision, we are constantly faced with challenges, forks in the road, options to consider, and choices to be made.

 

Not a simple path, but one worth embarking upon to realize a dream, or to satisfy a calling that will sleep only so long before urging us to awaken to the realization that we are here for a reason, and that the sharing of wisdom, of experience, and of our unique gifts, and of love is our truest calling.

 

Sometimes we are gifted with another who recognizes our calling, our worth, our potential. Perhaps voices from the past have blurred our vision as to which path to take. Sometimes jealousy plays a part, sometimes it's pure self-absorption by those who could but don't lend a guiding light when it's most needed in our youth. The reasons are numerous but the effect  is all encompassing. We lose our confidence, our compass even, and our lives are spent searching for rather than finding our true north.

 

These thoughts on gratitude are dedicated to those that have supported my personal journey. Some with positive reinforcement and unwavering bravado, others with their pure negativity or insufferable apathy. All of whom have contributed in their own way to the unfolding of the sharing on this page.

 

Words have been hanging in my consciousness for decades. Stories to be shared but previously silenced are finding a voice due to the innocent  yet supportive prompting of a man I'll call Conrad. He found me, saw my essence, acknowledged and applauded me. 

 

I hope only that I offer him this same gift on these pages. I believe he's still searching, unable or unprepared to hear the message I send back to him as to his own worth, his own mission, his own way of being. He knows not the depths of the ways he's touched my life, my soul, my spirit.

 

Life sometimes gets in the way of living in reverence to those that have touched us in profound and inspiring ways. In short, I'd like to set aside the circumstance, the challenge, the humanness of our relationship, and simply say I love you.

 

We all have people to thank and to honor - for those in spirit, feel their presence after their physical bodies have transitioned. Recognize their message, and honor the privilege and the inherent lesson in having walked with them for a time.

 

Yet, even those that have touched us in ways that have hurt us have contributed to our growth, our courage, our path. Send them forgiveness, and if you can - love.

 

Don't dwell on the hurt, appreciate the lesson, the imperfection of the human condition. Forgive yourself for the times you may have behaved less than perfectly yourself.

 

Try to find the stillness where wisdom's whisper can be heard, allow it to bring truth to your being.

 

Know that intention counts. Do small things with great love, and with forgiveness, and watch how your life expands and evolves. Look for the magic, don't dwell on obstacles real or imagined.

 

I wish you courage and connection with all you hold dear. This is the essence of a life well lived and well loved.                 

 

 

                                                                                                        Something to ponder.

            Who would you thank, and why?

 

              Make a list.

               Share your gratitude.

                  Spread the love.

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A little P.S.  I wrote this years ago for a different site, and the grateful tributes were numerous. I omitted them here just to give ya'll a break. On that lengthy list, three have passed on. And I find myself sitting in tears full of gratitude for having honored them with loving words while they were still here to see them. Don't wait to express gratitude, say it while they're here. It will bring you comfort later, even through the tears.