I'm going to digress from my intention for today's blog. I was going to continue where I left off...to describe what I did to make my small apartment a real home when I was first on my own at the age of 64, after my husband entered a dementia facility. I put that aside in favor of wanting to say something that has been at the base of my philosophy about life and how to live it.
This morning I received a little reinforcement of that philosophy. It was in the form of a ‘message from the Universe.' I subscribe to TUT.com, a wonderful website started by Mike Dooley, a sweet, fun guy who, if you've seen ‘The Secret', was one of the contributors. His philosophy is that ‘thoughts become things, dreams come true; and all things remain forever possible'. Every weekday all who sign up receive a captivating and reinforcing message from the Universe. This is the one I got today:
Sheila, I know what it's like. I've seen it played out a few zillion times. You're waiting for that magical day when someone makes the connection and recognizes who you really are. Maybe they'll first catch the sparkle in your eye. Or perhaps they'll marvel at your insights and the depth of your spirit. Someone who will help you connect the dots, believe in yourself, and make sense of it all. Someone who will understand you, approve of you, and unhesitatingly give you a leg up so that life can pluck your ready, ripened self from the branch of magnificence. Ahhhhhhhhhhh... Well, I'm here to tell you, Sheila, your wait is over. That someone, is you.
It made me smile because I have been a do-it-myselfer for a very long time. Taking care of myself because I didn't feel taken care of began a long time ago. All someone had to say to me was ‘no.' And I was off to turn that into a ‘yes.' That inner drive has accounted for my resilience in life. My philosophy is that no one owes me anything. That I have within me everything I need to make it through. That I can deal with whatever life hands me and I will find a way to do it. I rarely ask for help because it feels good to know that I can rely on my inner world for guidance. But I'm not foolish, and I know when to reach out, too. It's just that as long as it takes and as far as I can go by myself, I will, and gladly. Because I love being able to count on my own resources to guide me on this journey called life.
A long time ago, I found these words by author Jo Coudert in her book, Advice from a Failure. I've lived by their message and with TUT's morning reminders that I will bring to myself all that I envision, all that I think, it reminds me of their power in my life.
You cannot be given a life by someone else.
Of all the people you will know in a lifetime, you are the only one you will never leave nor lose.
To the questions of your life, you are the only answer.
To the problems of your life, you are the only solution.
Are you a ‘do-it-myselfer?'
See: Moving to the Center of the Bed: The Artful Creation of a Life Alone
