In all your striving...Don't forget to live.
This blog will not be the "typical" blog. It's more so a personal revelation. If you get something from it, great. If not...at some point in your life I pray it is brought back to your remembrance and you will.
I was listening to one of Kanye West songs from the 808 Heartbreak album. I've listened to it hundreds of times over the past few years. But today, I heard something on one of the tracks that hit especially home for me and was really a light bulb moment. The track "Welcome Heartbreak" jilted me into a "wow" moment and I was rendered speechless for a few seconds. I wondered why I had never heard or digested the lyrics before even though I've sang it a million times?! Then it came to me...because it wasn't meant for me to at that stage of my life. But now, I'm here and it made perfect sense. I just want to share a few of the lyrics with you:
My friend showed me pictures of his kids
And all I could show him was pictures of my cribs
He said his daughter got a brand new report card (card)
And all I got was a brand new sports car
And my head keeps spinning
Can't stop having these visions
I gotta get wit' it
G'head crack a joke all the kids laugh
But I couldn't hear em all the way in first class
Chased the good life my whole life long
Look back on my life and my life gone
Where did I go wrong?
My god sister gettin' married by the lake
But I couldn't figure out who I want to take
Bad enough that I showed up late
I had to leave 'fore they even cut the cake
Welcome to Heartbreak
And all I could show him was pictures of my cribs
He said his daughter got a brand new report card (card)
And all I got was a brand new sports car
And my head keeps spinning
Can't stop having these visions
I gotta get wit' it
G'head crack a joke all the kids laugh
But I couldn't hear em all the way in first class
Chased the good life my whole life long
Look back on my life and my life gone
Where did I go wrong?
My god sister gettin' married by the lake
But I couldn't figure out who I want to take
Bad enough that I showed up late
I had to leave 'fore they even cut the cake
Welcome to Heartbreak
I've spent most of my adult years (thus far) striving for this perfect life. Career, finances, real estate, academics etc. Pushing myself. Aiming for better. BEST. I've put things on hold and just delayed many things in my life. Now, at 34...I look around and most of my friends have families & kids and in my opinion they are truly living! They look at me and think the same of my situation. They want the freedom I have...I desire the elements of what they have. It's funny because I never thought I would find myself wanting any of that. I feel like I have the "other stuff" but I really desire the next chapter of my life. A family. I often wonder why my life took the direction it has. I often wonder why certain things had to happen in order for me to be here. I'm looking at how life has evolved around me and I find myself saying, "Wow, where has the time gone??!!" Despite it all I can say that I'm grateful. I don't know why but I do know that everything has a season and an appointed time. This life of mine is out of my control anyway. I would not be honest if I said that I didn't at least wonder.
Listening to these lyrics, I carry on. Putting into the Universe exactly what I want out of it. Praying that the seeds I've planted. The tears I've cried. The joys of my accomplishments will eventually take root and birth a great harvest!
I'm not sure if any of you can identify with this blog. But if you are the person that can...I simply say, even in your striving and grinding and just wanting the best...don't stop living! Take life as it comes. Things may not come in the precise order that YOU think it should. Work hard, give life your all but in all of that, don't forget to live.
Have a great week!
Chanel-
Well said, I have checked many things off my list and sometimes I get upset by the things I haven't crossed off but the one thing I have done is enjoyed every minute, learning and growing from the good and the bad. Live, Love & Laugh! Thanks Chanel !
ReplyDeleteReading this reminded me of one famous quote~
ReplyDelete"Sometimes Life can pass you by while your out making grand plans for it"
I've experienced being so caught up in my own rapture that I forget to Live. To just Breathe and let be. Those are what I have found to be the most important days of my life. Most people long for things that ultimately aren't important. We live to work...instead of working to Live and we cheat ourselves because we only get a fraction of what the Universe has to offer.
I am still learning that to live is to choose. But to choose well, you must know who you are and what you stand for, where you want to go and why you want to get there. Being on one side of the fence and seeing the other reminds me, that the grass isn't always greener on the other side.
"Be patient toward all that is unsolved in your heart and try to love the questions themselves. Do not now seek the answers, which cannot be given you because you would not be able to live them. And the point is to live everything. Live the questions”
Your not alone with your thinking....Continue producing Love into the Universe because it's what your made of. No one can correct their pass but as long as we are given another day we can L I V E.
Thank You for reminding me that Life is for the living. ;-) *Peace*
Marquisha, thank you so much for being honest and open. Yes, there are a few biggies that I haven't yet crossed off the list..but I always remind myself that there ARE a few things that I have crossed off that some people haven't so I give continue to give thanks.
ReplyDeleteCharmika, I really appreciate your feedback and perspective. Your words are so encouraging to me as well. Thank you...
This is a great message. I am the one looking from the other side of the fence. All I have is a great kid. I've had to put things off in my life because being a single mom is hard sometimes and I always have to do what is right for the boy. I've had to walk away from possible relationships and job opportunities because of my child. At the end of the day, he is my joy, my reason that I press on in the life. And maybe one day I will be able to take a grand vacation and shop til I drop, but raising him is a blessing and I'm grateful. There are many days when I am screaming and crying on the inside and wonder what my life would be like if I had finished school and gotten married before having a kid. I try not to let my mind go there, but we all have our struggles and battles. Like you said, there is a time and season for all things. Thanks for allowing me to rant. ((HUGS))
ReplyDeleteThanks for sharing Shanna. It helps us all whether you know it or not. Being honest and open about where you are in your life will help everyone that reads your words. I know it helps me. So, thank you. Stay encouraged. I know one day it will all happen for you. I know it will...Love you for life.
ReplyDelete