Deep Thought
Tonight Laura and I were visiting, and she commented that sometimes she looks forward to the exciting things in her future, but other times it seems so far away. I replied to her that it’s good to look forward to the next stage of your life, but it’s important not to overlook where you are. (Of course it was easy to give her this motivational speech while conveniently ignoring my own terrible track record with this.)
I explained to her that walking through life is like walking with a child holding each hand. The child on one side is called “Anticipation”, and he is a happy child, smiling and skipping along, chattering a mile a minute about where you’re going and what he’ll do when you get there. He tugs your hand and urges you to hurry up.
The other child is named “Regret”. He is moping, scuffing his feet, and constantly looking back. He is complaining about the things he couldn’t bring along, the things he will never get to do again, and the things he wished he had done before it was time to leave.
As you walk the path of life, you have both Anticipation and Regret as your travel companions. And somehow, your task is to enjoy the walk, without focusing too much on what is behind, and without thinking exclusively about what is to come.
As I said, it was an easy lecture to give to Laura, but one that I have yet to really understand.
Posted in Everyday | 
3 Comments »
November 10th, 2008 at 9:10 am
I TOTALLY understand where she’s coming from and have had many talks with my mom about that. I often live for the future, when I should live in the now. I think of the scripture passage in Ecclesiastes 3 where it says, “There is a time for everything, and a season for every activity under heaven.” For me, I get impatient for the marriage and family season. I just want to be a wife and mom, but right now my responsibility is to work hard in school and keep my heart pure for the day when I do get married. The same goes for Laura! It’s an ongoing journey of trust that just brings us closer to Him!!
Just keep listening to her and offering advice as best you can. That’s what moms are good at!
BLessings,
Molly
November 13th, 2008 at 1:37 pm
perhaps it’s not so much that you don’t understand, but rather that you have yet to apply… at least that’s the case for me.
Lately, Anticipation (the giddy child he is) has tempted me to move away or start over just so i can experience child… but the God I know and love has indicated, in this case, that Mr. Anticipation was not listening to God’s Will and purpose – i’ve apparently not yet accomplished all God has for me here and the same goes for the my single status. 
It’s okay – it’s always better to be where God wants me than to be where I think I want me. lol. Just ask Jonah!
November 13th, 2008 at 1:38 pm
i miswrote (apparently)… lol. It was supposed to be “just so i can experience CHANGE” not “child” yikes! that was a scary mis-write.