An older man had been visiting the same church every week for over 30 years. Every week he knelt before the same statue of a saint and prayed the same prayer: "Dear Lord, please let me win the lottery." One Sunday, the man knelt before the same saint statue, prayed the same prayer and hoped with all his heart the same hope. Suddenly, the statue came to life and stood before the man, who stood in awe. In a booming voice, the statue told the man, "If you want to win the lottery... Buy a ticket."
Often times we agree to write our own vows, but not our own rules. We also ask a lot of God, and of others, without thinking about what surrounds us. If you want to win the lottery, buy a ticket. If you want to be a painter, then paint, and paint often.
I paint because I love to create. I don't have very many limitations when there is a brush in my hand. I can't create if I don't put myself out there. Even if I screw it up, dislike the outcome or can't find anyone who wants it, at least I created something that captured my emotions. I also enjoy photography, writing, scrapbooking, guitar and Japanese. Each of these is an outlet for me, a means of expression and a way for me to connect to something incredible that dwells within me. If I don't express it- buying the ticket- there is no way to win the lottery- for me to see that which I have created.
In other areas of my life, I am prepping for a lot of things... More to come. Let's just say I bought a First Class ticket today...
xx.a
"Two roads diverged in a wood, and I--
I took the one less traveled by,
And that has made all the difference."
The often-quoted poem by Robert Frost has become almost cliche at this point, but still holds intense and viable truth to those who choose to contemplate it. I suppose the people who choose to contemplate it are actually taking the road less traveled. Is that considered irony? Or just amusing?
When I was younger, I wanted what every little girl wanted: to fall deeply in love, get married in a gorgeous white gown, have lots of babies, and own a ton of shoes. Oh, and this was all by the time I was 23, of course, because I would have sown my wild oats by then and would be financially and emotionally prepared... of course. As I have grown older and wiser, I have learned that any sort of plan or time table is a joke. I believe that God has a plan for me, whether it works with the sketch I have laid out for myself or not, I'm ready for the adventure.
At the ripe old age of ::sigh:: 26, nothing is as I thought it would be, and I am strangely comfortable with it all. I do want to get married, but am no longer longing for that big white wedding, and don't feel I will be missing out by getting married on a beach or at a park, like my parents. I still very much want to have children, but that's another post entirely. I will say, in regards to offsprings, I am not binding myself to the tradition of being married first. Yes, this contradicts my Christian faith, and I would prefer to have a father-figure around, but again, another post. I am working on the shoe collection.
Looking back, had you told me that I would not only be starting my entire life over at 26, but would have a completely different set of morals, values & priorities, I would be shocked. Or would I? Would I have taken measures to prevent this life? Would I have accepted my fate? Do I believe in fate? Ha, who let me have a blog?
So as I take this road, be it well-worn by the soles of adventure-seekers or untouched except by the sun, it'll all be here. Read it, don't read it, but be sweet.
Do something to make yourself smile. Sit in a funny chair, write a note to yourself and hide it in your jeans or jacket, or call someone to catch up and offer them encouragement.
xx.a
