I spoke to a friend the other day and we talked in wise words to each other.
“Most of the decisions you make in your life are not final,” I told her. “You can usually change your mind if it’s not working out.”
“Respect yourself enough to let go of what is no longer serving you,” she told me.
I have lots of fun with my friends these days, lots of times filled with inane conversations over a glass of wine or belly splitting laughter shared across miles of telephone towers.
But the hardships must be shared as well—and these are not easy. I’ve embraced tears, taking them into my own being. I’ve shared mine, hoping to alleviate some of my own burden. And in the sharing, we don’t necessarily find the answers but we do find a bit of comfort.
I tell my friends what I know for sure and what I still question on the darkest of nights. I listen to their journeys and urge them to the other side.
Because life—well, it’s freakin’ rough at this age of mine. We are well into adulthood, more than old enough to know better. But we still look for peace in our childhood ways, the ancient game of show and tell. Look at these scraps of my life; let me tell you what they mean to me. Ooh and aah so that I know what I have to tell is worth showing.
And I would love more than anything to give my friends the right answers to alleviate their minds of stress and worry. Of course, I would accept a little resolution in return. But that’s not going to happen. As much as we want the magic wand and the crystal ball, those are childhood games that must be put to rest.
Perhaps, though, the show and tell will be a childhood game that is allowed to flourish in these later years. And maybe a little bit of truth or dare……
Truth: Tell me what you are most scared of.
Dare: Now turn around and face it.
Truth: Who are your closest friends?
Dare: Let them help you. Tell them your fears. Comfort across telephone towers and belly splitting laughter will be your reward.
Go on now….