in the end we only regret the chances we didn't take
It’s not you, Nonfiction, it’s me.
The first few times we met I had these butterflies in my stomach. You were so unlike any book I had read before. At first I loved your clever covers, your cool book jackets. You always look so great in glasses and with your backpack, and I read all those rave Amazon reviews from your adoring masses. If all of those people love you, surely they must know something, surely I am missing out if I don’t read you too.
but fear engulfed rationale
i don’t want to be burned
what color are ashes?
can i choose, can you put my body in a chair?
the wind blew a salty breeze across her face
she couldn’t squeeze the tears back in
they rolled
down
down her cheeks and dripped into the dark ocean
she watched the salty tear
plunge into the sea
but behind the deep the sun still rose
how big is one life?
every drop
together
makes a full glass
I met a young woman on the plane ride home from Boston last Friday. We gave the cursory greetings as we settled into our seats and for most of the flight she read her book and I wrote a scene for my novel. But during the last 45 minutes we started chatting and dove deep into some personal details with each other in a way that only perfect strangers can do. She noticed I was writing and I shared some about my new journey on that path. I noticed the engagement ring on her left hand and learned about her upcoming wedding. We discussed marriage, family and faith and at one point my eyes even brimmed with tears. Her story, what little I know of it, has stayed with me all week and I found myself reflecting on why I was so inspired by her. A few specific qualities stand out, the same qualities I admire and am so attracted to with my own family and dear friends. There are many categories from which to draw inspiration in this world, but these are the five that impact me in the greatest ways.
It is possible to become discouraged about the injustice we see everywhere. But God did not promise us that the world would be humane and just. He gives us the gift of life and allows us to choose the way we will use our limited time on earth. It is an awesome opportunity.
Cesar Chavez
Everything that happens in the universe starts with intention.
Deepak Chopra
Why do we pause in our lives for reflection when someone has died, or when we’ve reached some milestone like a birthday or certain number of years of something? Why are we not present with each other, with our children, with our family and friends every day? I am as guilty of this as anyone, caught up in work or on my phone or scanning social media… I’m watching my own kids transform before my eyes and find myself making new life decisions, wishing I could retrieve what I might have missed.
If it doesn’t challenge you, it won’t change you.
author unknown
The cure for everything is salt water; sweat, tears or the sea.
Isak Dinesen
Whatever you are, be a good one.
Abraham Lincoln