Okay, Listen Here

Okay, Listen Here

Tuesday, April 17, 2012

Four Principles of Life

Life is filled with surprises you often least expect.  I grew up a military brat and quickly learned, the friends I made would be the friends I'd have to leave when my dad got orders.  As the years passed, it got harder and harder to leave friends behind.  By High School, military brats hung together because they understood the ostracism given them by the locals.  (Why would anyone invest his/her time in making a friend who won't be around for long?)

Chief lesson learned: The world is a very small place.

I moved 8 times before I turned 16.  2 times in college and 8 times in 20 years of marriage.  I've lived in Germany 3 times (newborn, teen and wife), Japan once (as a kid) and Italy once (as a wife).  Through all these moves, I've been fortunate to experience different cultures and other languages, as well as find a way to fit in wherever I was.  How?  Sometimes you stick your foot in the door, invest yourself, in order to succeed.

Lesson:  Make the most of the time you've got.

Japan: Earthquakes carried our beds all the way across the floor to the other side of the room but I also have memories of catching Pincher Bugs and snails, skating on an outdoor ring behind our quarters, and exploring tunnels carved into the snow by my dad. 

Italy: Though I spent most of my time birthing babies and as a commander's wife, I still had time to see the Alps, Dachau, visit Pompeii, tour villas and museums, explore the Sunday markets downtown and eat pizza and tortolini at Il Dragone, my favorite pizzeria, complete with brick ovens.

Germany: As a teen, I cheered and played softball.  Our competition cheerleading squad won 1st place two years running.  I went to Frankfurt High School, toured castles and took part in a play at Heidelberg Castle.  As an adult, I traveled to Holland, Switzerland, Austria, and Bavaria.  I was also a commander's wife with two little children and a poltergeist in my car.

Lesson:  Good things come to those who wait.

Throughout our travels, there were places I didn't want to be, for one reason or another.  Sometimes it was simply a matter of LTC's job, a job that kept him on the road for 3 weeks at a time, allowing him to be home for 2 weeks before heading out the door again.  In New Jersey, LTC was home only 1 year out of the 3 years we were stationed there.  Tough times!  But as with any hardship, the good follows.  We found a home to plant our roots and were able to give our children the best upbringing they could possibly have.

Lesson:  Be careful what you wish for.

LTC is home more often these days.  The kids are grown.  I have more time to write than I did with four kids underfoot, even while working a part-time job.  I have roots!  Something I've never had the luxury of having before.  I've made great friends who cherish me for who I am.  I've joined writers groups and am surrounded by others who think the way I do and get me.

Be careful what you wish for, because you might get it.  Throughout the years, I've prayed for healthy kids, a loving family, a wonderful home and the ability to write stories that will comfort people who are going down the roads I've traveled.  Sometimes I think the only thing stopping me... is me.

Be careful what you wish for.

The world is a small place- Be professional, kind and compassionate.

Make the most of what you've got- You're the perfecter of your fate. You've got what it takes to make it through!

Good things come to those who wait- If at first you don't succeed, try, try again. Then try again!

Be careful what you wish for.

What have you been wishing for throughout your life? 






14 comments:

  1. I don't really wish for anything. I have been blessed all of my life. Oh, I could wish for millions, a jet, a cook and a butler but those are things I don't really need. All I need is my family, my pets and my peace. Great post Kathy! Made me think.

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    1. You've kept everything in perspective, Cheryl. I love how you cherish what you have, rather than what you might desire. ;)

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  2. I think I spent most of my youth wishing for anonymity and I got it. After marriage, all I wanted was to rebuild my world. I got that, too. And then I wanted someone else to love and I got the two most wonderful children I could ever ask for.

    Now, I want to write the best stories I can write, publish them and share them with others. And I'm getting there, closer every day. And I have some really great friends that "get" me too after 21 moves myself. That in and of itself is a pure joy. I'm not sure I even thought I could wish for that one.

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    1. Like you, Lesia, I wanted to get married and start a family. I didn't realize how much time that involved, of course. When I wanted to pursue writing, much of that desire had to be curtailed so I could devote my time to those I love.

      Now that I have the time, my desire is to get published. But many published authors discuss how rejection and terrible reviews can derail what seemed to be a perfectly grand wish. Lesson here is no matter what we wish for, we need to be flexible enough to adapt. Only then, can we experience the contentment and success we seek.

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  3. When I worked in accounting land, I wished for a job where I could make a difference in the world.

    Like Kathy, I think often when our wishes come true they are in ways that we wouldn't have predicted but now I have a job that I love and know that I make a difference in the lives of the children that I touch!

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    1. You've worked really hard, Stephanie, to get where you are and it shows. I respect anyone who molds our future through the minds of our children. ;)

      Next up? Lots of new cool experiences for you!

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  4. Great post, Kathy! All my life I've put everyone else's needs before my own; thus my dreams were stashed away in a drawer somewhere, taken out every so often to keep alive. But I think God was preparing me for when I'd be ready to fight for those dreams and see them through. So definitely agree that good stuff comes to those who wait...

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    1. Women do that, don't they, Jo? I suppose God made us this way. ;)

      I totally agree with you that our previous experiences prepare us to handle the next ones before us. When I think about all those rejections and terrible contest scores, I remember that "what doesn't kill you makes you stronger." As our skin thickens, we're preparing for what comes next, whether that be after the first sale of one of our books or a new adventure.

      Thanks for posting today!

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    1. Yes, some experiences will never be forgotten. I call the entity that ruined my life for quite some time "a poltergeist". We bought an Audi in Europe. Imagine going down the Autbahn, 100 miles an hour, and the doors to your car and locking and unlocking by themselves. Take that a bit further. The car shuts itself off and then on, while traveling down the highway at excessive speed (or no speed and speeding cars are coming up behind you and flashing their lights).

      Imagine, I ask you, going to the parking garage to start your car and you can't get in. Or the car won't start. I give you, my friends.... a poltergeist in the guise of a Car Alarm!

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    2. I had a Volvo that did that. I hated the car. My husband started driving it and nothing ever happened to him. One time the dang car locked me out and it was pouring rain - I kicked the side of the car and the door opened. Maybe it's a European thing.

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  6. GREAT life lessons for sharing. Was talking with my other half about just trying. Both of us set personal goals at one point or another of saying, "I'll give myself five years to..." and of course as soon as you start trying, you get them much more quickly than you every believed possible. But so often we put off and put off... and never take the first step. So proud of you that you have taken not just the first but MANY! Your dreams will come true :)

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    1. Hi Meg! (waves)

      Thanks for posting today! I've created the time table for myself too. Set a big one that I will either meet this year or surpass. ~sigh~ Oh well, you go out and fight for your dreams. The rest is out of your hand, right?

      Thank you for your kind comments. I know you work hard too. Good things are coming your way!

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