This year, 2012, has been a period of reflection for me.
Taking stock. Looking at what I’ve accomplished and what I still want to
achieve. Revisiting and revising my goals. I’m not sure if this reflection is
the result of losing a dear brother, days shy of his fortieth birthday and
seeing what it did to my family. Perhaps it’s seeing my son finish high school
and knowing a chapter is closing and another beginning. Maybe it was because I
almost died. Any or all of them, most likely. Whatever the reason, I’ve been
thinking about past, present, and future.
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A Family tree chart |
As a family, we’re not the type to give up easily. I’ve been
taught that all my life. Determine a course of action, set your goals and do
it. Be willing fight for what you believe in, what is important to you, and
don’t give up. Strategic retreats are okay, but only for regrouping.
These mottos and all the stories surrounding them were the
backbone beliefs that went into our immediate family. And there were lots
of stories told of bravery, courage of convictions, and deeds of valor. One of
these days I’d like to write some of those stories. Or use what I know as a
basis for stories I want to tell. There were definitely heroes and villains and
a good measure of happy ever after.
It didn’t matter what it was, we were taught to fight for
what we wanted and stand for what was right. If you can envision it you will
find a way to make it so. But we were also taught another lesson. Don’t just
look out for your self but pay forward. Give a helping hand where you can, not
for the accolades and praise, but because it is the right thing to do. Don’t
ever compromise your principles. I call
that honor and having principles.
Those principles and mottos worked well for my career, finally having a child, building a life I wanted, more or less. I can definitely apply that to writing as well as other pursuits. Yes, I’ve retreated more than once and there’s no dishonor in that. I set up strategy, made plans and regrouped—always with the plan of moving forward. I’ve maintained a sense on honor, chosen the right path based on principles. I’m teaching my son to do the same.
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Use your experiences of the Past, in the experiments of the Present To achieve your expectations for the Future. |
Conclusions? I like knowing my past. It determines my
present, which determines my future. I’m not in control of my past or my
future. I have a measure of control over the choices I make for this day. They
are only small steps towards the future. But I know, the best things in life;
be they large or small, are worth fighting for.
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