Nina Simone wrote,
“Everything must change, nothing stays the same,
Everyone must change, no one stays the same
The young become the old, mysteries unfold
Cause that’s the way of time, nothing and no one goes unchanged.”
I recently began to appreciate that the part of me that is the most easily lost or changed is also the part of me that is most easily cherished. I have had to learn to be brave enough to know who I am and let me be her.
“The young become the old.” My birthday yesterday reminded me that I have lived longer than I will. But this is not where my story ends, it is just where it makes a turn. Yesterday I asked myself the question: if age were not a number, how old would I be?
I would be old enough to know that each of us has a personal calling for which we are gifted and young enough to keep curiosity alive.
I would be old enough to know that I needed the defeat to discover my strength, and young enough to run into the storm believing it would not last forever.
I would be old enough to know that life is a gift, and young enough to open it over and over every day with joyful anticipation.
I would be old enough to travel the world alone, or not, and young enough to be mystified at the sight of oceans, mountain ranges, sunrises, and sunsets.
I would be old enough to know that some people can be unlovable and unpardonable, and young enough to generously give hopeful smiles and hugs anyway.
I would be old enough to understand that faith is evidence of things unseen and young enough to dream the impossible.
I would be old enough to understand that some of my promises would be difficult to keep and young enough to make them anyway.
I would be old enough to know that none of me would be possible if not for you, and young enough to know that it is impossible for me to go on as I was so I must go on as I never have.
Everything must change.
Until next time, remember,-
You are not alone.
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You are not your circumstances.
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You have everything within you to live a purpose-filled life.