Bright Days Ahead

My brother has a Buddhist friend who shared this advice with him, " Do not mourn for the past, worry about the future, but live in the present."  My brother needed this advice at a time of turmoil in his life; he needed peace.

I recently read an article about the many times in our lives we may want to relive our glory days. Maybe days when we were healthier   I do that sometimes, wishing I could walk normal-especially when I see a neat pair of sandals or fancy high-heel shoes.  Or do you wish your kids were still at home; had a job; lived in a bigger house or different neighborhood; or  just go back a few years when you were younger.  "If only..." seems to be a game a lot of people play.

"You [should] not dwell on days now gone nor yearn vainly for yesterdays, however those yesterdays may have been.  The past is to be learned from but not lived in.  We look back to claim the embers from glowing experiences but not the ashes.  And when we have learned what we need to learn and have brought with us the best we have experienced, then we look ahead."  Jeffrey R. Holland

The article goes on to talk about being so dissatisfied with your present circumstances that you do nothing for your future. You stay yearning for the past.

What we're doing right now is what'll bring us peace and happiness. Not what we 'should-a, could-a, would-a' , as I always say.  

What are we learning?  What are we doing?  What is making us happy?  Are we going places?

It took me many years after my diagnosis with MS to pull myself out of the ashes and to move on.  As you read in my last post , it also took me a while to get over moving away from my home state.  Every time I go back, it is hard and it brings back a flood a memories, but that is all it is. They are 'glowing experiences' I can learn and grow from.  

With my MS challenges, I went to writing school, took several gardening and advanced gardening classes.  I volunteered for community and church groups.  I was a camp counselor.  I wrote children's books and now am compiling family histories for family members.  I give gardening presentations to the community.  I'm President of the Master Gardener's Association for our county. I've helped judged fairs and I've entered in fairs. I've taught preschool and helped out at my own kids' schools.  I've traveled internationally and helped my husband with schools there.  I've snorkeled and tried snowboarding (failed on that one, haha). I hike, camp, canoe, ATV, fish, garden, and all sorts of other activities other people would have said someone with MS shouldn't be able to do.  I tell them-"Oh YA! Watch me."

I'm living in the present and am loving life.

Each new challenge in our life can be a learning experience, if we let it. It can bring growth and happiness, peace and comfort, in time if we work at it.  It won't be easy.  It can be brutal.  But it will eventually be worth it.  But like it says, no sense in dwelling in the past and mourning for the things that can never be again.  No use worrying about things you have no control on in the future.  Work on the things you can control, which in NOW. Make your own happiness by living in the present so you will have brighter days ahead.