Turning Eight; It’s Not Too Late. . .
Posted on: August 20, 2010
What I have learned by my 8th birthday and after a trip to France:
– It is okay to talk loud, laugh often and argue with those you love.
– Always wishing for Friday and the weekend is a merry-go-round that ends with a whole lot of missing life.
– If no one died because of it, then do not stress over it.
– Walking gets you there slower than driving, but oh, the view and the smells along the way!
– Never think that you are irreplaceable at your job and therefore you must devote your entire life to it. Everyone is replaceable. Everyone.
– Life is not a list of “to do’s”. We DON’T have to always:
> check our work emails after work hours or when on holidays,
> eat dinner right at 5 pm,
> take our shoes off at the door,
> tell kids to say please and thank you constantly and make them hug old people when they don’t want to,
> feel guilty when we read a book instead of scrub the toilet,
> say yes when deep down we want to say no,
> give a reason or excuse when we say no.
We should:
> take time to listen to the sounds of silence;
> take time to breathe in and breathe out and just be;
> get up really early to see the sunrise, smell the morning dew and walk through the grass in our bare feet;
> drive out of the city to a place where there are no lights reflecting in the sky to truly see the stars;
> really listen to the other person instead of planning what we are going to say next;
> go to the bakery early enough to buy a chocolate croissant while it is still warm from the oven;
> thank our Higher Power for every joy and every tear and every person who is part of our life – past, present and future;
> accept change as the reality of life. We do not grow without change;
> always be as kind to ourselves as we try to be to those we love;
> get over it and get on with it;
> be patient. Everything happens when it is supposed to. It may not be in our timing, but our timing is not always the right timing. The wait is always worth it. Always.
> and finally – always trust your gut. When that little voice or second sense or Holy Spirit, or whatever you want to call it, tells you something, listen and be guided, in all things big and small. You will never go wrong.
4 Responses to "Turning Eight; It’s Not Too Late. . ."
August 20, 2010 at 11:09 pm
Jan,
I loved your last post!! I will be 8 and can’t wait. Hope I become as wise as you then. Doubt it though.
Love and hugs,
P
August 21, 2010 at 12:42 am
It is interesting that the two dear friends from my school days have replied to this posting. Thank you both, Priscilla and Paula. We were young together and really knew how to live ‘in the now’.
You are both very precious to me! Our journeys down different roads have not deterred our friendships that began so long ago!
August 23, 2010 at 9:53 pm
AWWWWWW – and you are so very precious to me too. Our journeys down different roads are just fodder for very interesting chats too aren’t they dear girl? I’m sure Paula feels exactly the same. “Old” friends I think are the “best” friends – AND we’ll never, ever BE old. And……I just have to do it …. “hey, hey Paula………” (I’m singing this now mind you!! And no, you don’t want to hear me either). Everytime I see your name, this is what goes through my mind. Jeeesshh – I think the 3 of us should run down that road together, holding hands of course!!.
IntrepidWoman's Journey 
August 20, 2010 at 10:28 pm
Hi Jan
Welcome to my world – all my thoughts exactly. Isn’t it great being 8 – wonder what it will be like being 9. Bet we could skip down the street holding hands again – just like we used to!! Actually, Carole (my Bragg Creek Gal) and I did just that one day in Victoria when she still lived out this way – some people thought we were nuts, some didn’t but it was the best!!! The joke was on them. I’ll be 9 first so I’ll let you know. The way I look at it – it’s going to be even more fun and definitely more enlightening. I KNOW your day is going well – with your new awakening it has to be.
8 year old Hugs from me to you – Priscilla