I am grateful for all the twists and turns that have made me into the person I am today! Some were definitely not so pleasant but I have two wonderful adult children that I am very close to now. I have a guy in my life for over 10 years that enjoys many of my favorite things like sailing. traveling, biking, hiking and Celtic music. I have some very special best friends for life. I had a great upbringing with very loving and hard working parents that wanted the best for us. I have had a job that has kept me afloat for the last almost 12 years now. I have had many blessings looking back on my life. Thanks for the question. 💕
Robin, having common interests goes a long ways. It makes connection easier. Especially when the going gets tough in intimate relationship settings, there are things to connect the 2 of you back together.
Like many people,
the path of my life
did not go anywhere near the direction I thought it would,
but the truth is,
I didn’t plan much after the age of sixteen.
I left home
after the anchor of my family rusted out and failed me.
If the break hadn’t happened
I probably would have stayed at home,
gone to college,
and married an ‘appropriate’ choice of man,
vetted by my parents.
But because of the break
(which occurred with my older sister too,
and later my younger brother),
the shredded ties broke easily
when I decided to fly the coop
and go with the flow.
I flew down the hill,
full of joy,
arms outspread,
just like I had a few years earlier
on my first and last
day on the ski slopes,
where I broke my leg.
Only on this attempt to fly,
I was buoyed up by love and passion,
drunk with the absence of restraint on my life . . .
and by someone to catch me.
I freely accepted those first twists and turns . . .
they were adventurous,
and I wasn’t ‘going it alone’.
But after the first tragedy
my beautiful, happy life fell apart,
and I was unable to put it back together again.
Eventually,
I flew the coop again,
but this time under darker skies.
I was alone this time
and there were many twists and turns that I followed,
just to forget,
forget and get away
and they became darker and darker.
Although I would have liked there to be fewer of them,
it took that many
to wake me up from my half-life,
and make the effort to take control of them.
I literally wrenched myself away from them
in a 63 Ford Galaxy,
with $150.00 in dimes, nickels and quarters,
and a knife under my seat,
should anything untoward happen.
And I drove away.
It was a long time coming,
and a painful slog out
but I see now
that those twists and turns
led me back to Life,
and taught me many lessons along the way,
which I also didn’t see or understand at the time,
but were a necessary part of my healing.
They have taught me that I am resilient,
stronger than I knew,
and still capable of love and compassion,
maybe more so.
I am grateful for every single one of them.
I arrived in the San Luis Valley Jan. 29, 1979 with $168 in my pocket and my earthly possessions in a backpack. Been here since. Some dark times and some luminous. I am grateful too.
Grateful for the whole unbelievable ride! Thank you- especially the pain actually because without suffering I would have never dug so deep to find Truth. No mud no lotus 🪷. Happy Monday everyone!
Starting to bike to work, because that put me on a whole new career path and in part led to meeting my sweetheart.
Deciding to try online dating at my best friend’s urging, which is the other part of what led to meeting my sweetheart. This year we will celebrate 19 years of marriage.
Before either of these, getting asked if I’d run for the state legislature and saying yes.
This question led to rereading a blog post I wrote several years ago to capture some storytelling I did at the National Bike Summit about these twists and turns. Several women told our biking stories on stage–great fun! https://bikestylelife.com/2017/03/12/came-fork-road/
I am grateful for all the twists and turns. So many unexpected, and sometimes unwanted, experiences.
They have all led me here and I am made up of those experiences. I’ve never had a grand plan. All of this was just wingin it. One thing has led to another.
And, I have been very lucky. Very very lucky indeed.
It calls me to notice,
dear Charlie,
that we are all the partial results of our experiences . . .
we make of them what we will,
and carry them forward to the next twist and turn. ♥
I am grateful for 2022, which I was one of the most difficult years of my life. Everything that happened that year has allowed me to grow in a way I never could have imagined. 🧡🙏🏽
I am grateful for all the twists & turns in my life.
Some wonderful others not so much, however they all have gotten me to this present moment.
I believe everything happens for a reason & along the way I have grown tremendously. Lots of lessons learned.
I have come a long way.
I am blessed. ✨🙏🏻
Happy Monday All, blessings….🕊️♥️
When I reflect on my life so far, the opportunity to go back to college is the most unexpected twist that I’m grateful for. At first, like a large number of people who immigrated to the States, I aimed to learn English, then attend career training for a job certificate, or just get a manual labor job.
In my country, going back to college after the age of 22 seems strange and somewhat embarrassing, but it’s completely different here. My classmates’ ages vary widely, from high schoolers taking college classes to those who are currently working and attending college for higher positions. Back then, I never imagined that I’d be in a classroom with homework at the age of 30. I’m so grateful for it!
I met my husband many years ago, at a meeting I almost didn’t attend. We had run into each other before, and he had been hoping to see me again but didn’t know how to reach me. We both showed up that evening and the rest is history. He recently passed away after 37 years together. I am so grateful for those years.
Linda! I must have missed this as I didn’t know that your husband passed away.
I am so sorry. From your posts I could feel how deeply you loved each other.
I am sending you so much love, Linda, and am sending love to the spirit of your dear, dear husband.
♥️♥️♥️♥️♥️♥️
Those twists and turns always show me what I’m made of. They reveal my principles, dedication, and courage. They align me with my deep, no BS self. They are tests. I wouldn’t have chosen some of them, but in the end, they are what I need.
Looking back on my life so far, what unexpected twists and turns am I grateful for? What a question! There have been so many twists and turns. I would be writing an essay because I am grateful for them all. They all challenged me to grow. I am most grateful for the wonderful high school choir director, the New Orleans voice teacher, the Episcopal priest who was my mentor for 27 years, the family my husband and I took in to protect the wife from domestic abuse, two dear friends who were there for me when my whole world fell apart. I was divorced after 35 years of marriage and had to start over in my mid-50s. I am grateful for the neighbors who have helped me adjust to my necessary move to Kansas in 2019 to be close to my loving son due to my health issues. All of the twists and turns involve the compassion of others. I was engage in self-Reiki for pain this morning when I felt the presence/the energy of a dear friend (RIP) who suffered physically all her life but was always very active helping others. In that moment I realized how blessed I am to still be here. It was like she was reminding me that Life is a gift even when it hurts so don’t waste it.
Taking a part-time 2 month interim pastorate after I retired that turned into a 5 year appointment. It was the perfect post-retirement way to still be in ministry, without it being full time.
The unexpected twist and turn I’m most grateful for is the most recent family road trip to Texas. That came out of no where. The overwhelm led me to a change of interest/priority. I went from a business man to an advocate for those with autism and mental health struggles. My overwhelm inspired me to help others by using my voice, platforms, and backstage connections.
My decision to be a stay-home-mom, I was going to be a career women, and juggle it all. We were blessed to live in a place we could afford for me to stay home. My salary was essentially going to pay for childcare and something like gas. It was the greatest career I could have ever had. It has made getting a job later in life hard but so worth it and I have always had a job that allowed me to be the mom I wanted to be. Even with older kids I know I am where I need to be.
Mmm… so many of them! But my favorites… My husband (then coworker) asking me to a concert and it happening to be my most favorite band. We all know what happened after that! Us picking up our lives and leaving the lowcountry at the end of summer 2024, heading to the mountains, getting hit by a hurricane within a month and then moving again another month after to a big city… and absolutely loving it! That was a giant unexpected twist and turn that I am super grateful for because I’m not sure I would have had as many opportunities to do what I am doing now with yoga. I’ve always said that everything happens for a reason ✨
Give yourself the gift of free bi-monthly inspiration including uplifting articles, diverse stories, supportive practices, videos, and more, delivered with heart to your inbox.
I am grateful for all the twists and turns that have made me into the person I am today! Some were definitely not so pleasant but I have two wonderful adult children that I am very close to now. I have a guy in my life for over 10 years that enjoys many of my favorite things like sailing. traveling, biking, hiking and Celtic music. I have some very special best friends for life. I had a great upbringing with very loving and hard working parents that wanted the best for us. I have had a job that has kept me afloat for the last almost 12 years now. I have had many blessings looking back on my life. Thanks for the question. 💕
Robin, having common interests goes a long ways. It makes connection easier. Especially when the going gets tough in intimate relationship settings, there are things to connect the 2 of you back together.
This is one thing I remember my Mother mentioning to me many many years ago (having common interests) ☺️
Robin, I was taught that at school too at a young age, especially in special ed classes.
Like many people,
the path of my life
did not go anywhere near the direction I thought it would,
but the truth is,
I didn’t plan much after the age of sixteen.
I left home
after the anchor of my family rusted out and failed me.
If the break hadn’t happened
I probably would have stayed at home,
gone to college,
and married an ‘appropriate’ choice of man,
vetted by my parents.
But because of the break
(which occurred with my older sister too,
and later my younger brother),
the shredded ties broke easily
when I decided to fly the coop
and go with the flow.
I flew down the hill,
full of joy,
arms outspread,
just like I had a few years earlier
on my first and last
day on the ski slopes,
where I broke my leg.
Only on this attempt to fly,
I was buoyed up by love and passion,
drunk with the absence of restraint on my life . . .
and by someone to catch me.
I freely accepted those first twists and turns . . .
they were adventurous,
and I wasn’t ‘going it alone’.
But after the first tragedy
my beautiful, happy life fell apart,
and I was unable to put it back together again.
Eventually,
I flew the coop again,
but this time under darker skies.
I was alone this time
and there were many twists and turns that I followed,
just to forget,
forget and get away
and they became darker and darker.
Although I would have liked there to be fewer of them,
it took that many
to wake me up from my half-life,
and make the effort to take control of them.
I literally wrenched myself away from them
in a 63 Ford Galaxy,
with $150.00 in dimes, nickels and quarters,
and a knife under my seat,
should anything untoward happen.
And I drove away.
It was a long time coming,
and a painful slog out
but I see now
that those twists and turns
led me back to Life,
and taught me many lessons along the way,
which I also didn’t see or understand at the time,
but were a necessary part of my healing.
They have taught me that I am resilient,
stronger than I knew,
and still capable of love and compassion,
maybe more so.
I am grateful for every single one of them.
I arrived in the San Luis Valley Jan. 29, 1979 with $168 in my pocket and my earthly possessions in a backpack. Been here since. Some dark times and some luminous. I am grateful too.
Grateful for the whole unbelievable ride! Thank you- especially the pain actually because without suffering I would have never dug so deep to find Truth. No mud no lotus 🪷. Happy Monday everyone!
So many! The first few that come to mind:
Starting to bike to work, because that put me on a whole new career path and in part led to meeting my sweetheart.
Deciding to try online dating at my best friend’s urging, which is the other part of what led to meeting my sweetheart. This year we will celebrate 19 years of marriage.
Before either of these, getting asked if I’d run for the state legislature and saying yes.
This question led to rereading a blog post I wrote several years ago to capture some storytelling I did at the National Bike Summit about these twists and turns. Several women told our biking stories on stage–great fun! https://bikestylelife.com/2017/03/12/came-fork-road/
All the twists and turns make me who I am, and I’m comfortable with that. We’re all walking a path, and the path is made by walking it. (https://biketoworkbarb.blogspot.com/2021/12/walking-path.html)
“We’re all walking a path, and the path is made by walking it.”
Indeed,
dear Barb . . . ♥
I have a framed print of this drawing by my desk: https://www.oxherdboy.org/post/056-traveller-there-is-no-path.
I am grateful for all the twists and turns. So many unexpected, and sometimes unwanted, experiences.
They have all led me here and I am made up of those experiences. I’ve never had a grand plan. All of this was just wingin it. One thing has led to another.
And, I have been very lucky. Very very lucky indeed.
It calls me to notice,
dear Charlie,
that we are all the partial results of our experiences . . .
we make of them what we will,
and carry them forward to the next twist and turn. ♥
“I am made up of those experiences”–yes!
I am grateful for 2022, which I was one of the most difficult years of my life. Everything that happened that year has allowed me to grow in a way I never could have imagined. 🧡🙏🏽
I am grateful for all the twists & turns in my life.
Some wonderful others not so much, however they all have gotten me to this present moment.
I believe everything happens for a reason & along the way I have grown tremendously. Lots of lessons learned.
I have come a long way.
I am blessed. ✨🙏🏻
Happy Monday All, blessings….🕊️♥️
When I reflect on my life so far, the opportunity to go back to college is the most unexpected twist that I’m grateful for. At first, like a large number of people who immigrated to the States, I aimed to learn English, then attend career training for a job certificate, or just get a manual labor job.
In my country, going back to college after the age of 22 seems strange and somewhat embarrassing, but it’s completely different here. My classmates’ ages vary widely, from high schoolers taking college classes to those who are currently working and attending college for higher positions. Back then, I never imagined that I’d be in a classroom with homework at the age of 30. I’m so grateful for it!
My Ngoc, your first day of the spring semester already tomorrow.
I met my husband many years ago, at a meeting I almost didn’t attend. We had run into each other before, and he had been hoping to see me again but didn’t know how to reach me. We both showed up that evening and the rest is history. He recently passed away after 37 years together. I am so grateful for those years.
Linda! I must have missed this as I didn’t know that your husband passed away.
I am so sorry. From your posts I could feel how deeply you loved each other.
I am sending you so much love, Linda, and am sending love to the spirit of your dear, dear husband.
♥️♥️♥️♥️♥️♥️
beautiful love story
A beautiful love story Dear Linda . Thinking of you, hoping your cherished memories give you some joy 🙏
Holding you in my heart,
dear Linda
with love . . .
((( ♥ )))
Thinking of you Linda 🧡
Those twists and turns always show me what I’m made of. They reveal my principles, dedication, and courage. They align me with my deep, no BS self. They are tests. I wouldn’t have chosen some of them, but in the end, they are what I need.
Looking back on my life so far, what unexpected twists and turns am I grateful for? What a question! There have been so many twists and turns. I would be writing an essay because I am grateful for them all. They all challenged me to grow. I am most grateful for the wonderful high school choir director, the New Orleans voice teacher, the Episcopal priest who was my mentor for 27 years, the family my husband and I took in to protect the wife from domestic abuse, two dear friends who were there for me when my whole world fell apart. I was divorced after 35 years of marriage and had to start over in my mid-50s. I am grateful for the neighbors who have helped me adjust to my necessary move to Kansas in 2019 to be close to my loving son due to my health issues. All of the twists and turns involve the compassion of others. I was engage in self-Reiki for pain this morning when I felt the presence/the energy of a dear friend (RIP) who suffered physically all her life but was always very active helping others. In that moment I realized how blessed I am to still be here. It was like she was reminding me that Life is a gift even when it hurts so don’t waste it.
💗
What an incredible journey you are on,
dear Carol Ann,
and you are not done yet . . .
WIP,
as someone pointed out to me 🙂
It all takes resilience, courage,
trust and surrender,
which I also,
have had to face many times in my life. ♥
Wow Carol Ann! You are a strong woman! I was married for 20 and divorced in my 50’s as well. Life is a gift even if it hurts ! Thank you for sharing.
“Life is a gift even when it hurts so don’t waste it.” Thank you for this, Carol Ann.
Taking a part-time 2 month interim pastorate after I retired that turned into a 5 year appointment. It was the perfect post-retirement way to still be in ministry, without it being full time.
Sounds very special Katrina ✨
The unexpected twist and turn I’m most grateful for is the most recent family road trip to Texas. That came out of no where. The overwhelm led me to a change of interest/priority. I went from a business man to an advocate for those with autism and mental health struggles. My overwhelm inspired me to help others by using my voice, platforms, and backstage connections.
Very nice Loc- much needed!
My decision to be a stay-home-mom, I was going to be a career women, and juggle it all. We were blessed to live in a place we could afford for me to stay home. My salary was essentially going to pay for childcare and something like gas. It was the greatest career I could have ever had. It has made getting a job later in life hard but so worth it and I have always had a job that allowed me to be the mom I wanted to be. Even with older kids I know I am where I need to be.
My lifestyle allowed me to be with (and them to be with me) our two children. Some mostly good experiences for all of us.
Very important job!!
I love hearing this, Deann. And your kids are lucky to have you.
Mmm… so many of them! But my favorites… My husband (then coworker) asking me to a concert and it happening to be my most favorite band. We all know what happened after that! Us picking up our lives and leaving the lowcountry at the end of summer 2024, heading to the mountains, getting hit by a hurricane within a month and then moving again another month after to a big city… and absolutely loving it! That was a giant unexpected twist and turn that I am super grateful for because I’m not sure I would have had as many opportunities to do what I am doing now with yoga. I’ve always said that everything happens for a reason ✨
Journey through the ‘fire’,
dear SunnyPatti,
is a purifying process. ♥
Oh yes, it is.
How nice to come out on the other side and be able to look back on it all with such appreciation.