You Are One Moment Away from a Completely Different Life

You are one moment away from a completely different life.

I honestly think it was the right place at the right time moment when I came across a clip of Taylor Swift's commencement speech last week.  I immediately needed more, so I found & read the entire transcript.  It's golden, to say the least.

I will say that I'm entirely biased because Taylor & I are around the same age, so I could relate to many things she said.  Although I'm not a world-famous superstar, I thrive on creativity, so I can relate.

"You get to pick what your life has time & room for.  Be discerning."

Taylor's commencement speech affected me because we are starting to get our "different life" moments--the event that throws our lives in a completely different direction.   You all know this, but it was the loss of my husband for me.  There have also been tons of notable mentions in the past few years (a failed foster placement, our beloved dog dying, etc.).  That life-changing event is starting to show up for many, if not all, of us.  If you haven't experienced the big event, I'm sure you have some notable mentions that gave you plenty of grief & perspective.

"There will be times in life when you need to stand up for yourself. Times when the right thing is to back down and apologize. Times when the right thing is to fight, times when the right thing is to turn and run. Times to hold on with all you have and times to let go with grace. Sometimes the right thing to do is to throw out the old schools of thought in the name of progress and reform. Sometimes the right thing to do is to listen to the wisdom of those who have come before us. How will you know what the right choice is in these crucial moments? You won’t."

It really brings home that we are all one moment away from a completely different life.  I was thinking this morning about our summer plans.  School is almost out & I'll have the summer with my son.  If James were here, I know we would have different things planned.  We might have even taken a family vacation!  James & I are huge fans of Greenfield Village & we always wanted to take our son there.  I can still do these things with my son, but it doesn't feel the same.

"...hard things will happen to us.  We will recover.  We will learn from it.  We will grow more resilient because of it."

My life is entirely different from what it was a year ago.  It all changed in one moment. I'm still going through the process, but I know I'll come out both stronger & softer at the same time.  I'll know when to give & I'll know when to stop (hopefully!). I will never know what the future holds, but I'm doing my best to ensure it will be good.