Wednesday, April 30, 2008

Sometimes

I was given this little gem, entitled "Sometimes," a couple of years ago. Though the identity if its author is unknown, I do know the identity of the creator of the images that I have blended into the written work. I gratefully credit him at the bottom. I offer this bit to You, My Dear Reader, in the hope that You will find something in it that has benefit or merit for you. Enjoy!

Sometimes people come into your life and you know right away that they were meant to be there, to serve some sort of purpose, teach you a lesson, or to help you figure out who you are or who you want to become.

You never know who these people may be - a roommate, a neighbor, a professor, a friend, a lover, or even a complete stranger - but when you lock eyes with them, you know at that very moment they will affect your life in some profound way.

Sometimes things happen to you that may seem horrible, painful, and unfair at first, but in reflection you find that without overcoming those obstacles you would have never realized your potential, strength, willpower, or heart.

Illness, injury, love, lost moments of true greatness, and sheer stupidity all occur to test the limits of your soul. Without these small tests, whatever they may be, life would be like a smoothly paved straight flat road to nowhere. It would be safe and comfortable, but dull and utterly pointless.

The people you meet who affect your life, and the success and downfalls you experience, help to create who you are and who you become. Even the bad experiences can be learned from. In fact, they are sometimes the most important ones.

If someone loves you, give love back to them in whatever way you can, not only because they love you, but because in a way, they are teaching you to love and how to open your heart and eyes to things.

If someone hurts you, betrays you, or breaks your heart, forgive them, for they have helped you learn about trust and the importance of being cautious to whom you open your heart.

Make every day count. Appreciate every moment and take from those moments everything that you possibly can for you may never be able to experience it again. Talk to people that you have never talked to before, and listen to what they have to say.

Let yourself fall in love, break free, and set your sights high. Hold your head up because you have every right to. Tell yourself you are a great individual and believe in yourself, for if you don't believe in yourself, it will be hard for others to believe in you.

You can make anything you wish of your life. Create your own life and then go out and live it with absolutely no regrets.

And if you love someone tell them, for you never know what tomorrow may have in store.

Learn a lesson in life each day that you live! Today is the tomorrow you were worried about yesterday. Was it worth it?

author unknown

IMAGES through the gracious courtesy of Ian Britton, FreeFoto.com

17 comments:

Vi said...

FANTASTIC words, and that's exactly how I'm feeling now.

Onwards and upwards. Thank you for posting this beautiful inspiring piece. xxx

John-Michael said...

You and I "commenting" on each other's blogs simultaneously ... How cool is that?! "Inspiring" is exactly what you have been to my Heart since my first discovering You, My Darling Vi.

I do, surely, Love You!

Suldog said...

Very much worth reading and keeping in mind.

I've found, through my personal experience, that almost everything that has happened in my life, whether I viewed it as marvelous or hideous while it was happening, has turned out to be for the best. Those things I'm not sure about, I trust will turn out that way. I consider myself blessed far beyond anything I could have considered due me, even under the most optimistic of appraisals.

It is always good to be reminded of that truth. Thanks, John-Michael!

John-Michael said...

Ya'know Jim, I liked this bit for the same reasons that you speak so well of. I t has served to remind me where I have required some of that. I am glad that you too found some good in it.

Sure love You, my SulDog Friend!

nitebyrd said...

Reading the words is easy, putting them into actual use sometimes is very hard.

The piece is nonetheless very true.

Crystal said...

Wonderful post today John-Michael! I felt like, when reading it, that it spoke to just me. Powerful and simply put. Thank you for sharing this!

PS: LOVE YOU!!

Crystal said...

PSS: I had to brag a little on you on my blog! I posted your link so others could enjoy!!

lime said...

much to ponder in these words. there is something to be learned from every person and every situation, whether it's finding in someone an example of character you aspire to or traits you wish to avoid. that part reminds me of a sign i have in my kitchen (one i put up to make me be able to giggle through a visit from a difficult person) "everyone brings happiness to this place, some when they enter. others when they leave." i've made peace with that individual now but i keep the sign up as a reminder to choose which way i want to bring happiness..by my presence or my absence.

Jules~ said...

How true, every person in our lives makes an impact on us in some way. From the long lasting relationship to the cashier at the checkout line, years and moments...shape our lives. The hard part is taking the chance on the investment. It is a scary risk...to invest heart and emotion, because it makes a person vulnerable. But the risk is so worth it. It is a profitable leap!

John-Michael said...

Because I heard a note sounding like “overwhelming undertakings!” coming through your “comment,” Dear NiteByrd, I went back to this piece, and … “picked it apart.” And (because I truly do love you and want to respond to any frustration or ‘bother’ that I may unintentionally create) I now present, for your comfortable consideration, the skeletal form of what the “unknown” author is suggesting.

Gleaned from “Sometimes” (author unknown)

SIX ACCEPTANCE OPTIONS
Perspectives that might be elected.

(1) Sometimes people come into your life and you know right away that they were meant to be there, to serve some sort of purpose, teach you a lesson, or to help you figure out who you are or who you want to become.

(2) Sometimes things happen to you that may seem horrible, painful, and unfair at first, but in reflection you find that without overcoming those obstacles you would have never realized your potential, strength, willpower, or heart.

(3) Illness, injury, love, lost moments of true greatness, and sheer stupidity all occur to test the limits of your soul.

(4) The people you meet who affect your life ……..help to create who you are and who you become.

(5) Even the bad experiences can be learned from.

(6) You can make anything you wish of your life.


ELEVEN ACTION OPTIONS
Behaviors that might be engaged in.

(1) If someone loves you, give love back to them in whatever way you can.

(2) If someone hurts you, betrays you, or breaks your heart, forgive them.

(3) Make every day count.

(4) Appreciate every moment and take from those moments everything that you possibly can.

(5) Talk to people that you have never talked to before, and listen to what they have to say

(6) Let yourself fall in love, break free, and set your sights high.

(7) Hold your head up.

(8) Tell yourself you are a great individual and believe in yourself

(9) Create your own life and then go out and live it with absolutely no regrets.

(10) And if you love someone tell them.

(11) Learn a lesson in life each day that you live!

Had you voiced your “COMMENT” to me in a moment of shared companionship in a coffee shoppe somewhere … I would have suggested that we take another look at the material and just see what it proposed. This is as close as I can get to offering the same to you. (I would prefer the coffee shoppe!) [loving smile]

John-Michael said...

Crystal, My Precious, I had not considered it at posting this bit ... but I do see where You may comfortably harvest some very contemporary and apropos thoughts from it. I am happy that I listened to Our Lovely Muse and "tossed" it out for You (and whomever else has had their life-garden 'tilled' in readiness for it.)

Sure do Love You, Sweet Girl!

(and thank you for including me in your circle of trusting Friends [smile])

John-Michael said...

Lime, My Darling Lady, You are PRICELESS!! I am nuts about that sign ... and the life-choice that you made in choosing to adopt that "giggle at the situation" attitude. Marvelous!! And then choosing to adopt the theme for a personal evaluation/responsibility check ... Oh My! You are really SOMETHING else! (My own "coping crutch" is to say to myself [whilst enduring the company of someone necessitating 'coping'], "Everyone has the God given right to be WRONG!!")

Surely do Love You, Dear Lady!

John-Michael said...

You know what, Jules~, My Precious Friend ... after many years of doing the "willingly vulnerable" thing, I have been disappointed so few times ... and blessed so very many times ... that I have perfected the art of saying (after one of the RARE disappointments) "OOPS!!" And that does it!

Love You Sweetie!

Lady in red said...

Hello I have just come here from nitebyrd's blog although I have seen you over at Vi's place too. 'Sometimes' is something I came across a few years ago shortly after I recovered from cancer. Since then I have tried to follow these suggestions in a variety of sactions of my life.

I am who I am because of the people who have crossed my path both good and not so good but also from the lessons learnt along the way from each experience be it good bad or indifferent. where before I was letting life pass me by now I am grabbing life with both hands and hugging it to me, not just the pleasures but the pain too. Without the pain how can we appreciate the pleasures to their fullest.

Sorry I have done it again, tried to leave a brief hello comment and ended up rambling forever.

John-Michael said...

My Dear LiR, Take a look around this Place!! [HUGE GRIN]

Do you see ANYTHING that smacks of brevity!? [gentle smile] Nope! It doesn't live here. (Just check out my ridiculous reply to NiteByrd's "comment." (When I "hear" that Lady's Heart, I spare nothing!)

No, indeed, My Dear, if your Heart has something to express, You will find this a place of "kick your shoes off, prop your feet on something comfortable, and tell me about it ... Please." And, to that end, I want to express my thanks for your generous sharing of the experience of your life. This is quite kind of you, and I am complimented. Here, my Dear, You are appreciated! Fact!

Lovin' your Presence ...

jillie said...

This is so beautiful! I try to look at every person I've ever come across in my life as a life lesson. We are teachers and students every day in our life. Those are some mighty powerful words. It's really something to read this and as I read it, I am reflecting on people who's paths I have crossed in this lifetime. Whether these are good or bad times, they have all been lessons.

I agree that you should always tell someone you love them, BUT always mean it. So I say this to you dear John-Michael. Thank you for the inspiring words and the love you share.

I love you too!

John-Michael said...

Joyfully, Happily, With giddy delight, my Spirit is starting this new day dancing around my little cottage whilst singing "Jillie loves me!, Jillie loves Me!" And what better way could there ever be for any day to begin?

Now THIS is a lovely way to start a day! (and "exciting!" too) [smile]

You instill and inspire love, Dear Friend ... loving You in return is right, and completely natural.

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