BellaOnline Forums Religion and Spirituality New Age What life lessons do you have?

I enjoyed writing an article using Shakespeare's metaphor of 'All the World's a Stage' to get a more objective look at the dramas we all create for ourselves:
Rewriting Your Life Script

Sometimes we get the same lesson over & over until we 'get it'. I used to have a real problem with authority figures- anyone trying to tell me what to do. My first boss was a nightmare, the next a bit better, and then better again until my last two bosses were also two of my best friends- and still are. I think I was learning! Mind you now the lesson is done I love being self employed <img src="/images/graemlins/grin.gif" alt="" />

Have you identified any lessons so far?

I suppose one of my life lessons is to make time for myself and my interests. I married young, when I was nineteen, and my first daughter arrived 10 months later! We went on to have two further birth daughters, two adopted, and one foster son with mental disabilities. As you can imagine I didn't have much time for me, and didn't really consider it a priority.

Although I still care for our youngest son (21), who has Down's Syndrome, when I hit 50 in 2000 I found I had more time for myself as all the other kids had left home. Thanks to our ghostly monk (our farmhouse is haunted),I developed a talent for digital art, not having been artistic in the whole of my life before then! You can imagine how thrilled I was when not only did people say they liked my work, they actually wish to buy it! Poetry started bubbling out of my head and I usually have one or two poems published, somewhere in the world, most months.

As much as I love my husband, children and grandchildren, I have realised just how important it is to be just me sometimes, and not an adjunct to my family.

I have not been able to identify squat! Some days I feel my purpose is to be a Doormat. The Almighty Enabler. <img src="/images/graemlins/grin.gif" alt="" /> Recently I was given something, and as I sat there getting to know it, I got a horrible <img src="/images/graemlins/shocked.gif" alt="" /> sinking <img src="/images/graemlins/tongue2.gif" alt="" /> feeling of What Is To Be <img src="/images/graemlins/rolling.gif" alt="" /> And this is so the opposite of what I am, I am really going to start working on things so I will not be an utter failure, if this is indeed my path. <img src="/images/graemlins/music.gif" alt="" />

Loveapple- well done- it takes many women their whole lives to realise that developing themselves is as important as their nurturing role. I always argue that you are better at the nurturing if you also look after & take time for yourself! The piece of artwork you emailed me was very beautiful. How lovely to discover a talent!

Firefly you are a delight. Don't forget it! Maybe one of your purposes is to make people smile- your posts always cheer me up <img src="/images/graemlins/grin.gif" alt="" />

I have one favorite one that has been proved over the years (I'm 55) so often that I've made it my motto. I think a lot of folks go through life hemmed in by all the things they believe just aren't possible for them. I'm definitely not that kind of person, and it's gotten me into (and eventually out of) considerable trouble over the years. But every time, there was someone standing on the sidelines that watched me struggle through my attempt at the "impossible" and then had the nerve to step outside of one of their own boxes, deciding that maybe that thing wasn't impossible after all. I've decided that's one of the major roles I've been put here for. The motto: Reveal options by living them. Not only do you end up making the most of your own time here, but you enable others to fulfill their own improbable dreams.

DJC in Norwich, UK

After I made my post, I did remember that very often when a situation arises, people only focus on the negative aspects, without realizing there is something positive to be gleaned. And I am a person that does find that glimmer of positivity in any situation that has such a glimmer, and by pointing it out, the situation to the other person is now Not All Negative. Their focus is shifted to a better place. And I would like to thank my husband for his help in this matter. Thank you Mr. Negativity <img src="/images/graemlins/shocked.gif" alt="" /> <img src="/images/graemlins/grin.gif" alt="" /> without him I would not have had all this practice! The day he wakes up and sees just the positive, and none of the negative, my job here will be done. <img src="/images/graemlins/beamedup.gif" alt="" /> Plus I am supposed to rescue turtles from the street.

Hi DJC that is a great way to live your life. I also do the things you 'can't do' like chucking in a well paying job to move to Wales & set up my complemetary therapy business. So many people say 'Oh I wish I could do that'- well you can, it just takes nerve & a willingness to take a risk- yes it *could* go wrong but playing safe isn't always so predictable either & doesn't tap you into your greatest joy.

As for you Firefly *hugs* you are now the official Queen of Silver Linings. And I'm a softie too- I just rescued a stray dog this morning- nice but smelly.

I sometimes wonder if my purpose isn't to serve as a "pointer" for others--to help them find their right path, feel better, etc. But saying this gives me such an odd feeling...

Queen of Silver Linings has a much better ring to it than Queen of the Laundry Room! <img src="/images/graemlins/queen.gif" alt="" /> Barbara, a lot of people need to be pointed in the right direction, or need to feel better about things. I felt odd making my post, but Lauren asked... <img src="/images/graemlins/beamedup.gif" alt="" />

I have learned to be less angry and more patient. I used to be incredibly critical and judgemental, but now I am mostly tolerant.

I've also learned that you have to be forgiving when you deviate from your supposed path. It took me a long time to get over the fact that I dropped out of college for a bit...