I recently wrote a blog post on the subject of ‘Aging’ and although I can’t backtrack on a feeling that has now passed, I have since stumbled upon a box of memories. It was not unlike opening pandora’s box, I have to ask – How often do you sit down and think about the journey of life you’ve been on?
I found a print out with ‘Quotes To Remember’ written by my Grandpa, dated 2003, to celebrate my 18th birthday. I’m his oldest Grandchild, to me he always seemed so wise, he was rarely phased. Even when I caused £3,000 of damage driving his Mini Cooper S, whilst he was on a cruise, bad times. Nowadays dementia has taken over, sometimes he doesn’t speak to me at all, but I like to think that he understands more than we realize.
On the ‘Quotes To Remember’ he recited quotes such as…
“When you own your own business, you only have to work half a day. You can do anything you want with the other 12 hours.”
“Imagination is more important than knowledge”
“There are only two ways to live your life. One is though nothing is a miracle and the other is as though everything is a miracle”
I know he’s right, you’d don’t experience life the way he has without learning some important lessons along the way after all isn’t that the whole point?
We can’t expect to stay the same, just the same way we can’t expect a change in our life unless we become the change we desire.
Whilst looking over old photo’s, I had the opportunity to revisit my teenage years and consider what a huge journey I’ve been on. A huge part of me would love to go back and tell the ‘old me‘ that life will change, that I won’t be caught up in the same endless cycle, but then it wouldn’t be a lesson well learned.
Over the years I’d completely forgotten the day’s when I had a full bosom and posed in a paper bra…
The endless layers of makeup, pearls and hours spent trying to look sultry…
The “£500 reward if you find Katie’s skirt” stage wasn’t my finest moment…and not one I have any intention of reliving again.
I learned silly lessons, like the fact I should always tell the truth, I don’t suit blonde hair and whilst saving money isn’t exactly exciting, it is sensible in the long run. But along the way, I’ve learned more serious lessons, like the fact you should go after what you want, or chances are you won’t have it. The reality of the fact I wouldn’t find love in a nightclub, fear of missing out is all in my head, everything on the internet isn’t always ‘real‘ and to collect memories, not things.
Life can change in a heartbeat, next time you find yourself opening a box of memories, don’t feel embarrassed about your history or journey, feel grateful for how far you’ve come.
Katie
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