My Life is Not Over…

This is just the beginning!

I had a moment of reflection this morning and wanted to share.

I used to believe that I had to act a certain way. That I had to follow the lines drawn by society. I was told that I had a place in this world; that I had to follow the carefully planned out blueprint of what I was supposed to do, how I was to behave, what I was allowed to say. You don’t disrupt the carefully oiled machine. The circle of life is just this:

Grow up.
Go to school.
Get a job.
Get married.
Start a family.
Raise children.
Have grandkids.
Die.

As I grew older, I hated that shell around me. I wanted something more. I wanted to use the mind that was given to me. Not the one that was designed for me.

When I stopped listening to what others told me to be, I learned to use my mind as I wanted. I was able to become what I wanted to be in this life.

This is me in the forest between Port Angeles and Forks, WA in 2011.

My life is at least half over. In all reality, my time left here is short. The average human life span is 78.74 years. According to these numbers, I have 36 years left to see and do the things I have dreamed about for so long.
Thirty six years to love my kids, to travel to places I’ve only read about, to make a difference in someone’s life.

To some, this would be saddening, but to me…it is a challenge. This life, this world, is mine to explore. I must leave my footprint on it, if not for a nation, but for the children I brought into this world to carry on, not only my legacy, but the history of my ancestors before me.

My very first book signing as an author. Sept. 2013. Pictured left to right: Julia Sykes, Holly Roberts, Me, Teresa Gabelman

I see so many people my age who’ve just given up on their dreams, saying they’ve waited too long to find happiness with their inner self. I say, there is no time like the present. Do as your heart desires. Go find an adventure. Absorb all of the beauties of this world. Do something every single day to make someone smile. Don’t train yourself to think your time is over. Train your mind, body, and soul to believe that this is your beginning.

Thank you for listening to my ramblings.

Copyright 2016 @Theresa Hissong