Tuesday, January 5, 2010

Keep Moving Forward [don't forget to look back]

It is mind-boggling to me when I look back to January 2008 and January 2009 .... and my friends, when I look back at where you were a year ago, or two... I wonder what this year will hold and what will we think when we look back in January 2011?

I am glad I don't have a crystal ball... without knowing any more than I do, all I can do is the best that I know to do. There is the potential for great things to happen tomorrow. There is the chance of great sadness, too. I will certainly grow wiser, and pray the education is not too steep; that what I learn is something that will pass along to my daughter one day, and something she will pass along to hers.

I am so thankful for my husband and family and friends. I am not unhappy - there is so much love and laughter...  I only wish my daughter was a willing part of it all, feeling it all, facing it all - with us.

Moving forward...


Your joy is your sorrow unmasked.
And the selfsame well from which your laughter rises
was oftentimes filled with your tears.

And how else can it be?
The deeper that sorrow carves into your being, the more joy you can contain.

Is not the cup that holds your wine the very cup that was burned in the potter's oven?

And is not the lute that soothes your spirit,
the very wood that was hollowed with knives?

When you are joyous, look deep into your heart and you shall find it is only that which has given you sorrow that is giving you joy.

When you are sorrowful look again in your heart, and you shall see that in truth you are weeping for that which has been your delight.

Some of you say, "Joy is greater than sorrow,"
and others say, "Nay, sorrow is the greater."
But I say unto you, they are inseparable.

Together they come, and when one sits alone with you at your board, remember that the other is asleep upon your bed.

Verily you are suspended like scales between your sorrow and your joy.
Only when you are empty are you at standstill and balanced.
When the treasure-keeper lifts you to weigh his gold and his silver, needs must your joy or your sorrow rise or fall.

~Kahlil Gibran

10 comments:

Bar L. said...

Love Kahil Gibran!

You got it when you said you're glad you don't have a crystal ball! How would any of us push forward knowing what we were walking into? Looking back is much better. I hope we can all look back at 2010 with lots to be thankful for and positive changes to report.

Anonymous :) said...

You speak for many of us who have stunning years. You know there is potential for anything. And, hopefully, we will all grow wiser. This time next year, I hope to read that 2010 was a good year for you.

Unknown said...

there is just not enough money in the world for me to want to know the future....no WAY !!!

Syd said...

I'm glad that I can't foretell the future. I try to stay in this day. But I can have hope for the future and that is a good thing. Hang in there and keep moving ahead.

Lou said...

Keep moving forward...yup..I think it's called one foot in front of the other...LOL

Whatever the year brings, I'm hoping you face it with faith, hope, and good health. I have wondered if I could be as brave as you, Fractal, and others who have stepped up and done the right thing.

Athena said...

I have no doubt, Lou

Tabitha.Montgomery said...

Kahlil Gibran's writing is like sweet hot tea of a cold and lonely soul some nights huh ?

Thank you for sharing..

Happy Nw year.

Athena said...

Good analogy Tabitha :-)

~hugs~

Laura said...

Just this week some Mom's and I were talking about the same thing..how glad we are we can't see the future. If I had seen years ago where I was going to have to travel, I'm not sure I'd be here still....

momvsaddiction.wordpress.com said...

I love Kahil Gibran's words, so inspirational and they ring so true for us parents of addicts. I found your blog to be well-written and it gave me hope. I will add you to my blog roll. Thanks for sharing your experience..