Your Time is Limited

“Your time is limited, so don't waste it living someone else's life. Don't be trapped by dogma - which is living with the results of other people's thinking. Don't let the noise of other's opinions drown out your own inner voice. And most important, have the courage to follow your heart and intuition. They somehow already know what you truly want to become. Everything else is secondary.” ~Steve Jobs

Several years ago, a lesson crossed my path. In less than two months, the tragedy of 9/11 occurred, my husband moved out, and my father passed away. I had four children, aged four to fourteen, dependent upon me for love and daily care. I was working two jobs and taking 12 units at the local college. I have often heard that what doesn't kill us makes us stronger. I was beginning to wonder if my demise were not imminent as I was feeling weaker by the day.

Time passed and hurts became more bearable. I was starting to hear my inner voice, it was no longer crying in pain but beginning to get stronger and clearer. I was learning to trust my intuition again and felt buoyed up by possibilities. Time stops for no man..., or woman. I had to keep up, the alternative was not an option. I heard the voices of those who said I was a fool and those who said I would never make it but they were soon drowned out by those who cheered me on. Time marches on.

The lesson I learned? Have no regrets. Time, does indeed, march on and in an instant, life as we know it can be forever altered. 9/11 changed the course of 9/12. The following Father's Day, my dad and the father of my children was gone. No regrets. Living with regret pulls you out of time and you are left with only that, your regrets. Accept who you are, where your life is, those that you love, the day with which you are blessed, and know that tomorrow waits with hope and delights.

A Chinese proverb states: "If you get up one more time than you fall, you will make it through..."

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Permalink Reply by Maureen Sharib on May 11, 2009 at 7:37am

I'm curious, Rayanne, who said this and why?
"...who said I was a fool and those who said I would never make it..."
Maybe it's too painful to share yet but I think it would be a valuable lesson.

On another note:
"...my husband moved out...I had four children, aged four to fourteen..."
Okay, I'm gonna say it. He should be shot. For those of you offended, tough. Real men don't leave. Period. You love your kids when you love their mother.

Rayanne, thanks for bringing this gut stuff to the surface.

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Permalink Reply by See_Jane_Recruit on May 11, 2009 at 9:38am

Rayanne, you are my kinda woman! It takes a lot of guts to just get out of bed in the morning when it feels like your whole world is crashing down around you but to pull through working 2 jobs, taking care of 4 kids, and going to school nearly full-time with no man in your life--you should be proud of yourself! I give you a virtual standing ovation.

To the point of your naysayers: someone once told me that the best revenge is living a good life and being happy. Well done ;)