April 18, 2018

Life's Journey

By Tammy Derouin

I look at life from many different angles. Sometimes it feels like a board game. You roll the dice or pick a card and see in which direction it will take you. Sometimes life feels like a road trip. You plot your course and hope you get to your destination, safe and sound. As much as I look forward to arriving at my destination, I've learned that it's the journey which can provide some of life's most interesting experiences. No matter which way you look at it, you always try to make good decisions. You want the best possible outcome. You play a game to win not lose. You travel for a desired purpose. Getting lost is sometimes part of the experience. Hopefully, you find yourself and you continue the journey.

Life's journey is full of unknown possibilities with many challenges and rewards. We start out in life full of optimistic dreams. You plot a course and go. Eventually, you realize that the path changes over time. The sooner you come to terms with the fact that life changes, the sooner you can adapt and see the good despite the potholes. You may have the same desired destination but obstacles and detours have a way of altering your course. Life is a continuous learning experience and sometimes you never know where you are going to land.

Sometimes life's obstacles turn into battles. Nobody is immune and everyone has their individual front lines on life's battlefield. Circumstances you could have never possibly imagined start starring you down. How do you prepare yourself for such a battle? How do you survive such darkness? There are only two choices, survive or succumb. Succumbing to the dark side has never been an option for me. Giving into anger will only destroy you. When your destruction is the desired intent, it doesn't make sense to lend evil a helping hand.

Faith in God is first and foremost. History is also important because you learn from past experiences. You should never forget what you have gone through because that's what prepares you for your next obstacle. If you erase your past or attempt to rewrite it, how can you possibly pass on to others the valuable lessons which came from your experiences? Learn from your experiences, they are yours and yours alone.

Life is challenging. It is also frustrating when you have to endure such formidable circumstances. The question is why but the answer isn't always that easy. Sometimes you are able to put pieces of the puzzle together but the question may never be answered. The lessons learned along the way and the people with whom you bond with become a priceless reward. I have been very blessed to have such a wonderful family and many, many friends. Family has always been there for me without question. Friendships are very important as well. I have been very blessed to have so many caring individuals in my life. It can be truly humbling when you realize just how many people are in your corner and ready to help.

Throughout our lives, the desire to see into the future is usually mentioned. If you could see into your future, would you take a look? It may be tempting, especially if you just want to know that everything works out. Maybe everything does work out but do you stay on the path that you originally plotted? Sometimes your destination will end up changing as well. The people you meet and the circumstances you have to endure have an impact on our life. The path you originally chose or the destination itself may be altered or abandoned.

The future can be scary because it is unknown. It's probably best that we don't know how challenging some of life's obstacles will be until they land in our path. Life's lessons usually start out small in the early stages of our life. Along the way, as we grow, they help us to prepare and protect ourselves and our interests.

Our personal history, much like our history as a nation, must be preserved and protected. To alter or deny the facts, the truth, would be a huge disservice to ourselves and to future generations. History is full of unpleasant and horrifying events. Battles and wars have been launched many times over to defeat evil. They become necessary to establish freedom, independence and for putting an end to tyranny. The obstacles will be great because tyranny does not willingly loosen its controlling grip. There are many battles prior to winning the war and you will not come out unscathed. But, the rewards for such a just cause are truly liberating.

“History does not long entrust the care of freedom to the weak or the timid.”

Dwight D. Eisenhower