life lessons

A Reason, A Season, A Lifetime

Backstory

This story has been a favorite with listeners and readers since it first appeared in 2009. We repost once a year.

The story came to mind when I was thinking about the most influential people in my long, eventful life. Some for a monumental moment or two and some, never willing to part with. See who comes to mind when you Consider This.

A Reason, a Season, a Lifetime

People come into your life for a reason, a season, or a lifetime.

When someone is in your life for a REASON, it is usually to meet a need you have expressed or just felt. They have come to assist you through a hard time, to provide you with guidance and support, and to aid you physically, emotionally, or spiritually. Then, suddenly, the person disappears from your life. Your need has been met; their work is done.

Some people come into your life for a SEASON, because your turn has come to share or grow or give back. They bring you an experience of peace or make you laugh. They give you great joy. Believe it; it is real. But only for a season.

Lifetime relationships teach you lifetime lessons—things you must build upon to have a solid emotional foundation. Your job is to accept the lesson, love the person and put what you have learned to use in all your other relationships.

Think about the people in your life over the years. Whether they were there for a reason, a season, or a lifetime, accept them and treasure them for however long they were meant to be part of your life.

And when they are gone, be thankful for the gifts you received from them when they were here—for a reason, a season, or a lifetime.

P.S. Who came to mind as you followed this story? Were you gratified when the time with them was up? Is the memory still vivid, even though so long ago? Would you change anything about your time together? Has it inspired a comment or two to share – or a whole story? I’m listening attentively, with a smile.

[Show #456]

Transition From Youth

Backstory

Do you ever find yourself rhyming without even thinking about it? When that happens to me, I go with the flow. Most of my attempts wind up crumpled on the floor. But this one seemed to fly. Something different this week. Please try it on for size.

Transition From Youth

I look around at youth today
So little do they know
They think that they have mastered things
While we’ve turned sad and slow

Their life – a giant picture book
Where nothing has been written
They’ve not known grief or been in love
Or barely even smitten

It takes a lot of travelin’ days
To reach this age and place
To trade in youth for hair of white
And corrugated face

There’s less time left
And what there is
Goes rushing by so fast
Until the time has come
When life is mostly in the past.

But realize in time that’s left
That every single day
Presents an opportunity
For love and joy and play

So I will keep my fantasies
And write and speak and giggle
And put up with the parts that hurt
Or cramp or crack or jiggle

‘Cause life is truly precious
A daily gift from God
Not to sing this miracle
Would indeed be odd

Give thanks for what has come before
And too what lies ahead
For friends and kids and memories
And fine red wine and bread

Let’s party on through this life phase
Enjoying every minute
For you will only get from life
As much as you put in it.

By Annette Petrick for Consider This.

P.S. With an attitude to match our aptitude, we don’t have to worry about transitioning from youth. We can keep our boyish charm and our girlish flirtation and just add the years on, as they come, enjoying each day for its own worth.

[Show #380]

Rich Follett

Backstory:

Rich Follett performs easy-on-the-ear acoustic folk music. His song list includes familiar tunes from the 1920s to the present as well as his original compositions, which offer insightful lyrics and inviting melodies you will want to hear over and over again. Rich is a public school teacher who also pursues his interests as a professional actor, playwright, and director.

Rich Follett:

We all seem to be reaching for answers. We don’t like the things that are happening. We want things back the way they were.

That will never happen. The typewriter will never return. You’ll never dial to use the telephone. Appliances no longer have simple knobs that read “on” or “off.”

There are apps for every conceivable purpose. Dancing is now calisthenics to music. There is fear and stress in the world. There is danger, never before felt.

It makes some people unhappy and turns us whiney. It causes others to reach into their soul and find strength.

My friend, Rich Follett, reached like that and this is what he decided, and I quote: “That which is beyond our control is likely to remain so. What remains to us is to continue looking for opportunities to use our artistry and humanity to bring beauty into this weary world. When I die, it will be with a psalm on my lips, love in my heart, gratitude in my soul, and a spirit attuned to hope. These things can never be taken from us unless we release them; I am one who will never let go!”

May you know the peace of well-being and face tomorrow with love, understanding, and hope. Like Rich does.

P.S. A customer purchasing Rich’s music from Amazon stated, “Rich Follett’s melodies are not only soothing to listen to, his lyrics speak right to your heart with feelings only he seems to be able to put to words. His voice is like velvet, and people just want to stop and hear it.”

[Show #626]

My Prayer

Backstory:

The Law of Attraction (Teachings of Abraham) has gained popularity in the current cultural trend toward new consciousness. A reader shared this quote.

My Prayer:

Sharon sent this message in. She said it is a quote. I think it is a prayer. What do you think? It goes like this –

“Today may there be peace within.

May you trust that you are exactly where you are meant to be.

May you not forget the infinite possibilities that are born of faith in yourself and others.

May you use the gifts that you have been given and pass on the love that has been given to you.

May you be content with yourself just the way you are.

Let this knowledge settle into your bones,

and allow your soul the freedom to sing, dance, praise and love.

It is there for each and every one of us.”

How beautiful. Thank you, Sharon, for sharing those thoughts.

To internalize those concepts can bring us peace and tranquility. What a wonderful state of being.

And no one else can create it for you. Only YOU can bring it about, by accepting who you are and where you are at this moment and using what you have to make the world a better place.

It’s completely doable, by simply opening your heart and mind, accepting the divine wisdom that will pour in, and then sharing it with others.

P.S. If you have the choice between being right or being kind, choose kind.

[Show # 462]

Late Breaking Thanks

Backstory

You’ve probably received many thanks over the years. But how many do you remember? This story tells how to give thanks that are memorable and appreciated – especially if they are in a handwritten note.

Late Breaking Thanks

When you receive a gift, you no doubt give thanks to the giver. Your appreciation might be stated verbally, or penned in a thank you card, or sent through cyberspace. Or you may let everyone know you got a gift by thanking the giver on Facebook or Twitter. And that’s usually the end of the transaction.

But think about giving thanks again later. That’s when the giver will know you really did like the gift, and use it and enjoy it.

When you’ve worn that sweater for the 10^th time – tell the giver again how comfortable it is and how you think of them every time you wear it.

When that plant flowers for the fourth time and brings you joy – let the giver know how their gift keeps giving.

When your son is grown, tell him again how much you enjoyed the ashtray he crafted for you in second grade. Let your daughter know you still have that handprint she gave you for Mother’s Day when she was in the first grade.

Presents are such energizing things. They are worth far more than simple thanks at the time of their presentation. Bring them to life again years later just by renewing your thanks. You’ll conjure up sweet memories and smiles.

If you’re really lucky, you may hear from someone to whom you gave a gift long ago. Then you’ll know how good it feels to get late-breaking thanks.

P.S. Equally appreciated are late-breaking thanks to those providing help. The Samaritan who returns your lost cell phone . . . The neighbor who holds your parking space . . . The relative who can always be counted on as a last-minute babysitter. Make sure they all know how grateful you are for their help.

[Show #461]

Friendship

Backstory

Friendship is a state of enduring affection, esteem, intimacy, and trust between two people. In all cultures, friendships are important relationships. What is the secret to enduring friendship?

Friendship

C.S. Lewis had an interesting take on friendship. He said, “Friendship is unnecessary, like philosophy, like art. It has no survival value. Rather, it is one of those things that give value to survival.”

As the years go by, friendships grow in the value they give to survival. The family affiliations that require your time and attention may dwindle as children grow and move away. But friends remain, and today’s technology allows a lot of connection no matter how far away they are.

I’ve tried to analyze the many friendships I enjoy. What attracted me to one person and not another? What created the glue that kept us in touch over decades or lifetimes? It was interesting to see my friends through the prisms of a new partner in my life. As he met my friends for the first time, they took to him, and he to them, just as I did.

Are we all clones of each other? In some ways, yes. In other ways, we are as different as night and day. Yet we found a reason to reach out to each other and hang on over time. Sometimes it’s better not to try to analyze it but just enjoy it.

But I do think Mr. Lewis was right. Friendship is one of those things that gives value to survival.

P.S. Maintaining lifelong friendships provides deep fulfillment and meaning. To ensure that those bonds don’t fade over time, be ready to invest time, cultivate trust and honesty, and work through disagreements when they arise. Well worth the effort.

Show #326