According to Forrest Gump, “Life is like a box of chocolates. You never know what you’re gonna get.”
I never liked those boxes of assorted chocolates or being offered a choice of one when I didn’t know what was in it. I will admit to being fussy, and especially not liking things with nuts in them. So, I usually passed on the offer, unless I knew for sure.
And although I wasn’t adventurous in eating . . . I did take a Ford Pinto (the one with the exploding gas tank) half way across the country to Colorado without a job or a place to live (but that’s another story).
Life IS an adventure and we usually don’t know what‘s in store for us or what the repercussions are for any choices that we make. I learned that at a relatively early age. Take love for example. I married with a belief in love and a vision of a home, family . . . but four years later found myself living with a ‘stranger’ in another country, lonelier than I had ever experienced, as our relationship fell apart.
In retrospect, I am so grateful, for not only the experiences and wonderful friends whom I met in London at that time, but for the subsequent change of course that my life took. Less than a year later, that trip to Colorado ended up being absolutely the best thing that could have happened. It also gave me faith that things happen for a reason, and the sooner that I could come to a place of gratitude, the faster I could find my way to peace and a happier life.
And that has usually been true in my life, whether it be an unexpected illness, an accident, or the dissolution of a dream career only to realize that there was a much better one in store for me – my own business. I learned to let go and trust. And even though it’s been a bumpy ride at times, I wouldn’t change anything, even if I could.
As I started to write this article thinking about Valentine’s Day as a celebration of love, I had conflicting emotions. On the one hand, I am so grateful for the wonderful, long-term love relationship that I have now at this time in my life. And on the other hand, I am deeply saddened by this increasing epidemic of loneliness in our world that is true for younger, as well as, older people. It makes me want to do more to help, to communicate and to connect with others, especially those who are lonely.
We may not be able to change things on the world front, but we can try to make things better for those in our own lives, families, neighborhoods, and with people that we meet. I believe that we have a greater need for connection today and that being a part of a community not only supports our well-being, but is good for our health, and reminds us that we are not alone, unless we want to be. It is why I celebrate those who bring others together to support each other and to create community.
At a time when we may be feeling less valued, more isolated, unsure of what we can do to experience more joy, how can we live life in a kinder, more loving and inclusive way that helps each of us to feel that we belong, that we matter?
We may not have a choice about what happens to us, but we do have a choice about how we accept or deal with life’s challenges. And that isn’t always easy. What I have found to be helpful in finding peace and creating a happier, more fulfilling life is having a positive attitude, feeling and expressing gratitude, and sharing love and appreciation for the friends and people I care about.
Maybe life IS like a box of chocolates. There may be things in my life that I wouldn’t have chosen (and I’ve had a few nuts to crack) but mostly it’s been a sweet journey.
And that is what I wish for you on this love holiday and every day.
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