Make It What You Will

[SimplySheri]

~~I used to sit on the banks with a raft and watch the water roll lazily by.  One day I pushed my raft into the shallows of the water and found the water moved swifter than I thought.  My raft was actually a boat.  Then, after some time, I rowed by little boat into deeper water.  There were great storms, mighty winds, tremendous waves, and sometimes I felt so alone.  But I have noticed my little rowboat is now a mighty ship manned by my friends and loved ones; and beautiful calm seas, warm sunny days, and nights filled with comfortable dreams always double after a storm.  Now I could never go back and sit on the bank.  In fact, I search for deeper water.  Such is life when lived.~~  B. D. Gulledge

I know not everyone is at a place in their life where they can say they love life.  I know not everyone can see through their storm.  And I know not everyone has a clear vision of what their life is supposed to be like rather than the chaos they think it is.

But I can tell you that on the other side of that storm CAN be a breathtaking rainbow.  And I can tell you that when your vision clears, you CAN see a joyous life ahead.  And that after the chaos has calmed, life CAN be sheer tranquility.  

And I know because I've been on both sides.  I've lived through some storms.  I've been shortsighted.  I've struggled through chaos and turmoil.  Most of it has been of my own making, of course.  Because often it's our own thought process that determines our reality.  Sometimes outside forces change our worlds as well, but even then it's how WE think about things that get us through to the other side.

Quitting smoking is our chance to bring positive energy and strength to our worlds.  "Change your thoughts and you change your world", right?!!  

I can't begin to tell you how much I love my life.  It's not all sunshine and unicorns.  I have two jobs, two teens at home, financial constraints and obligations that are not quite under control, a mother who doesn't understand me, yaddah, yaddah, yaddah…….

But you know what else I have?  I have pride in my students when they pull their TABE scores up.  I have pride in my visiting parents when they gain unsupervised visitation with their children because they overcame addiction or other personal issues.  I have joy in nature regardless of it raining or blooming roses.  I am grateful for the moments.  Loving new adventures.  I'm sad when I'm sad but then I move on.  No longer stuck in the negative emotions, I know that they are part of life but not ALL of life.  I've changed and in doing so, my world is good.

I guess what I'm telling you is that it's your decision to make.  Smoke or don't smoke.  Struggle or accept.  Cry or smile.  Hold on or give up.  It's all on you to decide how your life is going to be and that in itself should make you smile.  It's all on you....not what's going on with you, not what's happening around you, not what's up a head.  It's simply on you.

Life is just life.  We can watch it go by while sitting on the bank or we can get in the water and find out that our raft is in actuality a ship that can navigate through any storm.  

And if you disagree with my take on life, I applaud you.  You are thinking for yourself, making your own determinations, and I think that is wonderful, too   It's your world, your life.  Make it what you will.