Make it Meaningful...

With age comes wisdom

So...February already...I can see 2012 is not going to sit on it's laurels any more than 2011 did. This past week has been a bit of a strange one and has put me in something of a reflective mood. February 1st was the 10th anniversary of my mum's passing and I spent the day negotiating a 200 mile round trip and the funeral of an old family friend that I've known for 40 years, the last of a generation.

Since then I've spent a good few hours thinking about those 10 years and considering my own mortality. At times it seems like it's just flown by and I struggle to recall anything of note that I've done. I've never really thought about the inevitability of life but finding yourself elevated to the senior generation amongst family and friends suddenly makes it all the more real.

Forget Me Not

But then when I stopped to consider more carefully what those 10 years have involved I realised maybe I've experienced and achieved more than I thought. I've lost both my parents, relocated to another part of the country alone, moved home twice and changed jobs 3 times, each with increased responsibility and stress. I've taken time out to travel to the other side of the world, studied Humanities with the Open University and, through my jewellery making found a creative outlet that has completely changed my outlook and given me the impetus to give up the well paid but stressful job for a more fulfilling lifestyle; leaving me financially poorer but emotionally richer. And all that while negotiating the pitfalls of everyday life.

I'm not religious or particularly spiritual (in the traditional sense of the word) but I think perhaps there is a purpose to these hiatus in our lives. They create a need and a natural point to stop and consider the path we're on and make any adjustments. I can see now that I've been changing things little by little over these 10 years but right now I'm happy with where I've got and where I seem to be going. Circumstances will no doubt conspire to change things somewhere along the way but hopefully I will be able to deal with that and keep moving forward, with maybe a diversion to left or right if needs be. And as for the seniority thing...well I think I'll just look upon that as membership of an exclusive club for those with accumulated wisdom and abundant experience!

A new day arrives over Durdle Door, Dorset, UK

Old friends pass away, new friends appear. It is just like the days. An old day passes, a new day arrives.The important thing is to make it meaningful: a meaningful friend or a meaningful day. 

Dalai Lama

Lesley