Another Milestone - Jennifer Reid

Yep I know, it’s been a while.

I’ve just been so busy “living” life that I’ve had no time to photograph and write about it ?

Blogging was such wonderful therapy when I wasn’t as physically able as I am now. There were times I couldn’t physically grab hold of life and live it with the energy, wonder, excitement and passion that was inside of me. I dreamt about all these things instead, and planned how I would make my dreams come to life some time soon.

So now I’m intent on living my dreams.

It was my “Parisversary” on Sunday…a whole year since I was in Paris with my family, participating in the Paris Marathon. It truly was a life-changing experience, one that I will be able to inspire my grandchildren with!

Then, I turn on the news this morning and I’m met with the shockingly tragic news about the Boston Marathon bombing. My heart goes out to all those effected by this devastating event, and I’m reminded once again just how precious life is. (And yes I am well aware and truly saddened that there are many other tragic news and non-news events across the globe, but the Boston Marathon tragedy has resonated with me on the anniversary of my Paris Marathon).

I have another anniversary just around the corner. In a few weeks time, it will be FOUR YEARS since the breast cancer diagnosis. I don’t say “my” diagnosis anymore, just “the” because I’m not willing to own the dreaded C! It’s something that happened to me, but I won’t let it define me anymore!

I was 39 back then…some of the best years of my life ripped away, but I tugged back with all my might and here I am today…physically restored, emotionally renewed and continually dreaming of a wonderful future and working towards all of my goals and aspirations.

With this important anniversary just around the corner, it has got me thinking about why we CELEBRATE important milestones at all. After all, it actually means that we’re one year further away from our carefree youth!

Take birthdays for example…sure, it’s a celebration of the day we were born into this amazing world, but I reckon it’s your Mum that should get all the presents for that “hard labour” ?

Of course, birthdays are a celebration that we’ve made it to another year, but as we get older, many people would mourn the gradual loss of their youth!

But to me, every milestone, including a birthday, is worth a celebration. I see all anniversaries as a way of celebrating “the getting of wisdom”!

Just as we get better the more we practice doing something (theoretically), so too our character improves as time goes by (theoretically). As we get older and experience the highs and lows of life, our experience teaches us a few things and we hopefully grow in knowledge and wisdom.

Sure, we may lose some of our youth with every birthday or anniversary celebrated, but we can gain so much more.

With every milestone celebrated, we can choose to pursue greater wisdom! We can also take the time to hang out with people who are wiser than us…we learn from our elders, or people who’ve experienced an abundance of highs and lows even if they’re still young.

There’s a short story I’d like to share with you:

“When I was a boy at my father’s knee,
the pride and joy of my mother,
He would sit me down and drill me:
‘Take this to heart. Do what I tell you—live!
Sell everything and buy Wisdom!
Forage for Understanding!
Don’t forget one word! Don’t deviate an inch!

Never walk away from Wisdom—she guards your life;
love her—she keeps her eye on you.
Above all and before all, do this: Get Wisdom!
Write this at the top of your list: Get Understanding!
Throw your arms around her—believe me, you won’t regret it;
never let her go—she’ll make your life glorious.

She’ll garland your life with grace,
she’ll festoon your days with beauty.’”

(Proverbs 4:7, The Message Bible)

This wonderful story leads me to ponder my ambitions and dreams, and how “throwing my arms around them” has kept me hopeful through many a hard time.

Sure, I dream of all good things for my family and I admirably aim for financial success and prosperity. And I most certainly strive for optimal health. But maybe if I place “the getting of wisdom” first on my list of priorities, above all other things, everything else may just fall into place?!

Being the youngest of 10 children has taught me a thing or two about listening to my elders. I am blessed with an abundance of people in my life who are wellsprings of wisdom. But in recent years, I had to walk a path that nobody close to me had walked before. It was a lonely battle, albeit with loved ones spurring me on.

The way I see it though, is not to resent any life battle that you actually get through, as it can teach you a thing or two if you let it.

The battles of my past have taught me a lot. One of the most important being, in order to live life to it’s greatest potential and to live it successfully, it takes wisdom.

Living wisely ensures we won’t squander our time here on this amazing planet called Earth. It means that we will focus on making the most of what we have, rather than longing for what we don’t. It means that we will hug our loved ones daily and constantly tell them how much they mean to us. It means that when the lows of life threaten to consume us, hope can rise up and fight against it. And it means that no matter what, we are the only ones who can control the way we think about life and different circumstances we face. Everything else may be out of our control, but if we still have our mind, nobody can control our thoughts!

Recently, I was asked by someone close to me what my most comforting thought in times of distress is. This is what I answered:

“There is always a rainbow after a storm, and there’s always someone out there who dearly loves me!”

So for every milestone I celebrate from now on, it is “the getting of wisdom” I will celebrate and truly appreciate! And for every loved one who needs encouragement right now, as there are many, I’ll sign off with some words of inspiration, that are the most helpful “clichés” I have ever been encouraged by. Words that have greatly helped in my “getting of wisdom” quest …

– dream big
– never give up
– do your best
– be kind
– love your family
– set a good example
– the sky is the limit
– have a generous heart
– keep the faith
– laughter is the best medicine
– it is better to give than to receive
– give hugs away
– always know that you are loved

Sending you light & love,

Jennifer xo