An unexpected phone conversation with a man I’ve known and respected since I was about six years old made me look at my life differently. He asked me one question that stands out, “If you could have seen 50 years ago, where you’d be today, would you be here?”
At age two, everything was big. I remember my mother telling me how I brought her drinks and played beside her bed while she was on bed rest, pregnant with my sister. I was a care-giver. I wanted a little sister so bad, I would have done just about anything.
By age six, I was learning the importance of friendships, with people young and old. I had begun to learn what would be my life work during that year (you may think that’s strange, but the phone conversation pretty much proved it to me).
At nine, my mom had an accident that changed the course of our family’s lives and again, I became a caretaker by choice for a little while. I had other options, we all do. I made the choice that made the most sense to me.
Those foundations made me who I am today and brought me to where I now live happily, content to be me, challenged to be better and always moving forward toward more successful ventures. Which is the basis, the foundation of my story today.
Always hard on myself, expecting more, demanding better achievements, I realized that every step of my life from those days until now has been a learning, educational step toward the next phase of my life. There have been some *gasp* failures in there, but they didn’t turn out to be so awful. They’ve turned out to be pretty good choices after all. I can look back in appreciation at the success of where I’ve been and where I came from, to see where I’m going. I like the path I’m on. In fact, I see where I’m headed and there’s an amazing light ahead that feels good. Not only does that road I’ve traveled seem to have brought me securely to this feeling of success, but I know and understand the value of life lessons. I understand the importance of listening to God’s calling and following the directions given. And, I’ve seen what can happen when we fail to listen, all the way to how God brings out the good from our failures, to His glory.
In His mercy, He lifts me up every single day.
That was the answer I got from a man whom I’ve often referred to as my mentor, my teacher, my friend. Thanks, once again, for the send off in the right direction, where I know I will continue to find peace, success, and blessing.
For those who know me well, you’ve probably already guessed who this might be… For those who don’t, I’m sorry, but I won’t reveal this bit of information, because he asked me not to reveal his name here. So, while I do a little happy dance at the many amazing blessings and suggestions I’ve been given over the years, that I can now share openly and without fear of infringing on any copyright or trademark, just get ready to rumble because we’re going to ROCK this world.
And… I took notes… I have an outline for goal setting, achieving your dreams and getting where you want to go that will knock your socks off! Get ready to rock!
