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Deprecated: trim(): Passing null to parameter #1 ($string) of type string is deprecated in /sites/dev.grateful.org/files/wp-content/plugins/wp-user-manager/vendor-dist/brain/cortex/src/Cortex/Uri/WordPressUri.php on line 66
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How have I been surprised by the way in which my life has unfolded?
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I remember turning 30 and thinking about what I had done in the previous decade. When I was 20, my focus was almost exclusively on my career, and I certainly did focus on my career during my 20’s. It did not lead where I expected, but I did have some tremendous experiences, and I met fantastic people, in addition to relocating many times and getting married. As a result, I felt pretty assured about entering my 30’s.
My 30’s turned out to be some of my hardest years. But I also made some big career changes, had even more tremendous experiences, bought a house, and had a child. When I turned 40, I had no regrets and wasn’t self-conscious about my age.
I have been able to handle challenges and stress better then when I was younger. My faith helps me stay focused on doing what is good and right.
I know I do need to take a pause when I get overwhelmed and take care of myself. I am much more independent and happier being single after divorcing after 22 years of marriage to a difficult person. I fought for custodial custody of my children and won. My son is doing great but my daughter is my current challenge. On a happier note I found a long term companion who shares many things I enjoy doing so I have been blessed but still can enjoy my independence which is important to me.
My wife of 40 years and I have been retired for five years. We live comfortably with our two dogs, and have two wonderful children. I had recently been thinking how easy our life is, and how grateful I should be. Then suddenly, one of our kids suffered an addiction crisis, broke up with his girlfriend, and is moving back in with us.
While we were at first shocked and depressed, we now look forward to helping our son recover. It is an opportunity, not a problem. And we are grateful to still have two wonderful children available to love and support.
Thank you for sharing! And thank you for helping your son with the recovery process. Support and love is so needed when going through the process. I am so happy for him that he reached out! Powerful step!
Deciding to move a year ago to a place I have vacationed for several years was a somewhat surprising decision. Because most of the rest of my family also wanted to move, and my granddaughter was in college nearby, I went for it. I wouldn’t say that at age 70+ it has been the easiest thing to do, along with being a pretty large downsize and leaving friends and some of my siblings behind. I think it would’ve been easier when I was a bit younger. But I am making my way.
These days, I am surprised often. I feel a good analogy for my life is a tree. The unseen dimensions are the roots. I feel they have gone deep. Deeper yet dimensions could be the mycelium. That represents connection and mystery. My outer appearances have changed dramatically over the years. The bark has a few scars. Some changes due to “storms” of changing relationships, work roles and a discovery of who I really am. The daily unfolding and blossoming still surprises.
My younger self would be surprised at how my life turned out; at one point it was impossible for me to see through the darkness of depression and substance abuse. Now my life, though not free of hardships, is full and abundant and full of love and acceptance of what is, and I am striving towards fulfilling a long time vision for my family. Life is good.
I don’t know I had a true planned direction for my life. Looking back over 80 years it has been a journey of trust, inspiration, challenges, amazing friendships and gifts. I have my first husband for 53 years and 2 adult boys who thrill me . One granddaughter who is beautiful, smart and humorous. My daughter in laws think I do not fit the typical mother in law model. I am resilient and mostly healthy. I look forward to what can be. Thank you for letting me express my gratefulness.
Far more heartache, but who anticipates pain as they ponder what their future holds? Besides the pain shaped me in far deeper ways than the joys. And oh what joys! Watching my kids grow up into adults. Sheer joy!
And now there are new, quieter heights for me. This new chapter in my life with its reduced roles but increased physical and emotional demands as I age. I’m just in my early 60s but am already discovering that I will need all the equanimity and wisdom I can muster. But when I meet a challenging moment with experience or insight, that is its own special joy.
Because of my studies, I’m not necessarily surprised how my life has unfolded, but rather more delighted and grateful as I look at myself and surroundings. Once I learned to love myself and let go of trying to control everything, my life started to unfold with ease. I’m married to my soulmate, living in the country on a big piece of land with a dog who loves protecting it and an old cat who watches from the window. I never expected to live out in the country, but after being out here a few years, I can’t imagine it any other way.
My life, this life, has been so good to me. For all the times I just looked at circumstances instead of capabilities, for all the times I have taken 5 steps forward and the 3 or four backwards, I still have been so very fortunate. A loving wife of 34 years, a son and a daughter who love me, two grandchildren, a son-in-law who is so very good and kind to them and a beautiful place to call home. I am grateful I have found some inner peace that has been fleeting at best, due to just looking at circumstances and avoiding/numbing my emotions with alcohol. I am filled with gratitude to have the opportunity to practice mindfulness, gratefulness, awareness and meditations on just how fortunate life has unfolded so far. Thank you to all who run this site for all of us, the good people who reflect here on these virtual pages and loving kindness for all the people of the world who are less fortunate, some of who’s daily task is solely to spend all their time just to procure something to eat.
Thank you Joseph, you are inspiring! I want to let you know how much I enjoy reading your comments. I love to see the journey of someone that is making changes for a better life. Have a blessed weekend!
Coming out as a late in life lesbian. (came out at age 40)
Moving from Pa to FL by myself.
Persevering, finding inner strength, finding this website over 4 yrs ago.
Beautiful! May your life be complete! Our daughter married her wife two years ago. She always told me that she could love anyone and she hoped that if she loved a woman that I would be Ok with that. I could not be happier for both of them. A baby girl just joined these amazing women and I get to take care of her two days a week. My life is so full to watch them be such a great moms. I appreciate Joseph’s comment about the world having greater acceptance and less cruelty for all.
Thank you Ana Maria. Your reflection made me smile. I’ve been single for over 6 yrs now, went through a horrible break-up with my ex. I remember reading one of Elaine’s reflections awhile ago mentioning how she found love later in life so that gave me hope my true love will come one day. 🌈 Same with Sunnypatti, how she found love after a bad relationship. I am such a believer in serendipity, that’s what I want, some magic.
Michele, our son came out to us his senior year in high school. He is 34 now and doing well. Maybe someday the world will have grater acceptance and less cruelty.
I am amazed and very grateful for the way my life has turned out. My begining years were very difficult…but wow!! I was Blessed beyond measure and have had a wonderful life. I have a beautiful home, a loving husband, my animals….and happiness….What more could I ask for. I want for nothing. I am happy in this life. I thank the good Lord for each day that he gives me…and I thank him for this site and for all of you. God Bless.
I have been surprised by the endless opportunities and possibilities that my choices (both good and poor) have created for me on this crazy journey called life.
I am not surprised by the way my life has unfolded. I feel enormously grateful, beyond my wildest dreams, in fact, for the privilege of being on this earth, to have had a fulfilling career, a thriving family, and an amazing wife for fifty-one years and counting.
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I remember turning 30 and thinking about what I had done in the previous decade. When I was 20, my focus was almost exclusively on my career, and I certainly did focus on my career during my 20’s. It did not lead where I expected, but I did have some tremendous experiences, and I met fantastic people, in addition to relocating many times and getting married. As a result, I felt pretty assured about entering my 30’s.
My 30’s turned out to be some of my hardest years. But I also made some big career changes, had even more tremendous experiences, bought a house, and had a child. When I turned 40, I had no regrets and wasn’t self-conscious about my age.
I have been able to handle challenges and stress better then when I was younger. My faith helps me stay focused on doing what is good and right.
I know I do need to take a pause when I get overwhelmed and take care of myself. I am much more independent and happier being single after divorcing after 22 years of marriage to a difficult person. I fought for custodial custody of my children and won. My son is doing great but my daughter is my current challenge. On a happier note I found a long term companion who shares many things I enjoy doing so I have been blessed but still can enjoy my independence which is important to me.
My wife of 40 years and I have been retired for five years. We live comfortably with our two dogs, and have two wonderful children. I had recently been thinking how easy our life is, and how grateful I should be. Then suddenly, one of our kids suffered an addiction crisis, broke up with his girlfriend, and is moving back in with us.
While we were at first shocked and depressed, we now look forward to helping our son recover. It is an opportunity, not a problem. And we are grateful to still have two wonderful children available to love and support.
Thank you for sharing! And thank you for helping your son with the recovery process. Support and love is so needed when going through the process. I am so happy for him that he reached out! Powerful step!
Deciding to move a year ago to a place I have vacationed for several years was a somewhat surprising decision. Because most of the rest of my family also wanted to move, and my granddaughter was in college nearby, I went for it. I wouldn’t say that at age 70+ it has been the easiest thing to do, along with being a pretty large downsize and leaving friends and some of my siblings behind. I think it would’ve been easier when I was a bit younger. But I am making my way.
I have been surprised and deeply grateful to find my life partner in my sixties, and to be thriving in a happy marriage these 7 1/2 years.
These days, I am surprised often. I feel a good analogy for my life is a tree. The unseen dimensions are the roots. I feel they have gone deep. Deeper yet dimensions could be the mycelium. That represents connection and mystery. My outer appearances have changed dramatically over the years. The bark has a few scars. Some changes due to “storms” of changing relationships, work roles and a discovery of who I really am. The daily unfolding and blossoming still surprises.
My younger self would be surprised at how my life turned out; at one point it was impossible for me to see through the darkness of depression and substance abuse. Now my life, though not free of hardships, is full and abundant and full of love and acceptance of what is, and I am striving towards fulfilling a long time vision for my family. Life is good.
That I am alive
after many years
in which I could have easily
and maybe should have died,
trying to obliterate myself.
I sat with this question but no answer came. I look forward to reading the answers of others.
My path in Buddhism continually astounds, amazes and giver of more frequent experiences of contentedness and happiness and compasiion,
I don’t know I had a true planned direction for my life. Looking back over 80 years it has been a journey of trust, inspiration, challenges, amazing friendships and gifts. I have my first husband for 53 years and 2 adult boys who thrill me . One granddaughter who is beautiful, smart and humorous. My daughter in laws think I do not fit the typical mother in law model. I am resilient and mostly healthy. I look forward to what can be. Thank you for letting me express my gratefulness.
Far more heartache, but who anticipates pain as they ponder what their future holds? Besides the pain shaped me in far deeper ways than the joys. And oh what joys! Watching my kids grow up into adults. Sheer joy!
And now there are new, quieter heights for me. This new chapter in my life with its reduced roles but increased physical and emotional demands as I age. I’m just in my early 60s but am already discovering that I will need all the equanimity and wisdom I can muster. But when I meet a challenging moment with experience or insight, that is its own special joy.
Because of my studies, I’m not necessarily surprised how my life has unfolded, but rather more delighted and grateful as I look at myself and surroundings. Once I learned to love myself and let go of trying to control everything, my life started to unfold with ease. I’m married to my soulmate, living in the country on a big piece of land with a dog who loves protecting it and an old cat who watches from the window. I never expected to live out in the country, but after being out here a few years, I can’t imagine it any other way.
My life, this life, has been so good to me. For all the times I just looked at circumstances instead of capabilities, for all the times I have taken 5 steps forward and the 3 or four backwards, I still have been so very fortunate. A loving wife of 34 years, a son and a daughter who love me, two grandchildren, a son-in-law who is so very good and kind to them and a beautiful place to call home. I am grateful I have found some inner peace that has been fleeting at best, due to just looking at circumstances and avoiding/numbing my emotions with alcohol. I am filled with gratitude to have the opportunity to practice mindfulness, gratefulness, awareness and meditations on just how fortunate life has unfolded so far. Thank you to all who run this site for all of us, the good people who reflect here on these virtual pages and loving kindness for all the people of the world who are less fortunate, some of who’s daily task is solely to spend all their time just to procure something to eat.
Thank you Joseph, you are inspiring! I want to let you know how much I enjoy reading your comments. I love to see the journey of someone that is making changes for a better life. Have a blessed weekend!
Coming out as a late in life lesbian. (came out at age 40)
Moving from Pa to FL by myself.
Persevering, finding inner strength, finding this website over 4 yrs ago.
Beautiful! May your life be complete! Our daughter married her wife two years ago. She always told me that she could love anyone and she hoped that if she loved a woman that I would be Ok with that. I could not be happier for both of them. A baby girl just joined these amazing women and I get to take care of her two days a week. My life is so full to watch them be such a great moms. I appreciate Joseph’s comment about the world having greater acceptance and less cruelty for all.
Thank you Ana Maria. Your reflection made me smile. I’ve been single for over 6 yrs now, went through a horrible break-up with my ex. I remember reading one of Elaine’s reflections awhile ago mentioning how she found love later in life so that gave me hope my true love will come one day. 🌈 Same with Sunnypatti, how she found love after a bad relationship. I am such a believer in serendipity, that’s what I want, some magic.
Michele, our son came out to us his senior year in high school. He is 34 now and doing well. Maybe someday the world will have grater acceptance and less cruelty.
Thank you Joseph. I’m glad to hear your son is doing well. 🌈
I am amazed and very grateful for the way my life has turned out. My begining years were very difficult…but wow!! I was Blessed beyond measure and have had a wonderful life. I have a beautiful home, a loving husband, my animals….and happiness….What more could I ask for. I want for nothing. I am happy in this life. I thank the good Lord for each day that he gives me…and I thank him for this site and for all of you. God Bless.
I have been surprised by the endless opportunities and possibilities that my choices (both good and poor) have created for me on this crazy journey called life.
Often I was afraid to begin something new and then I loved it and met amazing people who became friends.
I am not surprised by the way my life has unfolded. I feel enormously grateful, beyond my wildest dreams, in fact, for the privilege of being on this earth, to have had a fulfilling career, a thriving family, and an amazing wife for fifty-one years and counting.