A few weeks ago, just before I was about to play competition golf this particular day, I was chatting with a fellow club member who had just prior to that day turned 90. Let’s call him Bill.
I’m not sure what got us on to the topic, but we started out chatting about life in general after I had wished him a Happy Birthday from him having just turned 90. Now Bill might be 90 but he is an intelligent man who has fitted a lot into his long life and the thing that strikes me most about Bill is that he is always seemingly happy.
On this particular day, after wishing him a Happy Birthday, I asked Bill if it felt any different. Bill’s immediate response was that it didn’t and that his birthday celebration had been low key and pretty much like any other day. What Bill said next resonated with me. He said that no matter how old you are and how many birthdays you have, the world is all about people and being genuine around others and true to yourself. Bill said that, if you do this, you will always be happy. He also said that you should never stress about things that are out of your control, such as the way people perceive you or act towards you. Having been through my own troubles in the last 5 years, and experiencing the things I have as a result, I have managed to find my way through to the ‘other side’ and I feel that I have become a much better, stronger, more resilient person than I was before I separated and divorced.
I have SO much to be grateful for in this world. I have 2 beautiful and amazing teenagers who I adore, I am relatively healthy, I have a roof over my head and a source of income. What I used to dwell on – and didn’t stop doing until recently – was what I though others thought of me. I was afraid to be myself in case others thought I was ‘not their cup of tea’ or was not very interesting. I no longer worry about what I can or cannot control. I firmly believe in the adage that all things happen for a reason and that everything that happens in your life makes you a better person. I now have a new motto: what other people think of me is none of my business.
So, as Bill said, the world is all about people. I am finally becoming used to the fact that I am how I am and no longer feel ashamed of that or feel the need to disguise it. I’m happy to show my real self and let others deal with me how they see fit. Being stronger this way in my mind now allows me to be there for more people if I need to, including myself.
Health-your-self.com 