Just a Thought: “Gotta Let
Go”By Steve Walker
Last week I alluded to one
of my favorite TV shows “Touched by an Angel” and how I taped them every week
off a family cable channel to view in my leisure time when I could relax and
watch the numerous old re-runs. From it I mentioned that I experienced a
revelation of sorts from one episode.
In that episode, a character
who was slowly dying shared a list of things she ‘never got to do.” I pointed
out last week that is our modern day “bucket list.”
In another episode a
character lamented “if only I had done things differently.” To me that is the
same as looking through the rear view mirror going through life. I know I catch
myself doing it all the time. I plead guilty as charged.
But fortunately at my ripe
old age of receiving Social Security and Medicare, I am starting to listen to wiser
persons than me who remind me to move forward and not let past mistakes get in
my way. I am reminded that I tend to, like many others, dwell on what didn’t
work out in the past or whine about the people who hurt me. I am known
unfortunately for whining way too much.
One of my friends says to
me all the time, “Gotta Let Go!” My standard retort is always, “easy for you to
say.” However I am learning that when I just slow down, take a deep breath then
it is easier to start releasing what is bothering me. It may sound simple, but
it is anything but.
As a Senior Citizen, it is
easy to fall into the mindset of thinking just because I have been around a really
long time doesn’t mean I can’t learn something new and change my way of not
only doing things differently, but adopting a new perspective.
I have come to the
conclusion that it really is feasible to “teach an old dog, new tricks!” Since
I don’t mind being considered an “old dog,” I also have figured out (finally)
that the future is not always based on the past although as the philosopher
George Santayana is quoted as saying, “Those who fail to learn from the past
are doomed to repeat it.”
Is that a revelation or what? Since I don’t
want to make the same mistakes again, then it is time for me and everyone else
to adhere to the words of my friend, “Gotta Let Go!”
As one who has been
fortunate in his life to experience many good times I realize I need to
remember to focus on the positive and continue to “seize the day.” (carpe diem)
Reiterating that my
“Bucket List” is not yet full at 67 years old I will share my own sage advice
by saying, “It ain’t over yet.”
Anyway, as always, what I
write is “Just a Thought.”
Steve Walker is a Vietnam
Veteran and former Justice of the Peace and Journalist.
Let go, and let God!
ReplyDelete