Accept no one's definition of your life, but define yourself.
Harvey FiersteinThe self is not something that one finds. It is something that one creates. Thomas Szasz (1920-) American Psychiatrist
Other people's opinion of you does not have to become your reality. Les Brown Speaker and Author
Two roads diverged in a wood, and I - I took the one less traveled by, And that has made all the difference.
Robert Frost (1875-1963) American Poet
These are some of my favorite quotes. I've loved the one by Robert Frost ever since I came across it as a teenager. I always felt I walked a bit of a different path, though maybe a lot of people feel this way.
I guess, in some way, I've internalized these quotes even before I found them. I don't live the life of my peers whose children are all grown, or nearly so. I've still got kids at home. Sometimes I think I was crazy in the nicest possible way...I'm not sure if my younger girls keep me young or age me. It depends on the day.
But I wouldn't give up my trips to China (which I never anticipated prior to adopting) or the travel I've done with my older daughter...I'm footloose in a lot of ways even while I'm connected. I thought, this past year, that the word 'gypsy' applies to me -- I'm colorful in my dress and jewelry, outlook and travel. I don't think I'm boring, though I'm not sure a person would recognize if they were.
My college daughter would like the goal of traveling to every continent...and possibly every country. I've never verbalized a desire like that. Mostly I prefer to do as much as possible when traveling, not to spend it all in one place. What if I never get back? The expense is in getting there. I figure I can sleep once I get home, though I don't need a lot of sleep. So I hit the road running and try to see different cities and places. More of an overview than in depth.
Currently a dear friend of mine is going through some rough waters with those around her. It is really just another refining of her life. She isn't a cookie cutter of her peers. She walks a path where she is uniquely herself with a heart of love. She's right where she needs to be at the moment. I admire her.
Karin
Originally posted 2007-01-23 10:05:19.
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