2023 Reflections of Hope

Some people come into our lives for a day, some for a season and some make a lasting impression that influences our thinking process and this particular Town Resident who prefers to remain anonymous has always challenged our thoughts to the betterment of our development…

When I read the above write up, even though he is not its author, I felt honored that he would know to share something so very deep with me, so… I offer the reflections of HOPE to thank him for the contribution…

Throughout my life, circumstances have cut short the hours of sleep and I find myself waking up with the inspiration to write…

So, as sleep departed during the night, let me share the following thoughts that surfaced for recording before slipping from memory.

These are my thoughts, not a dream, giving pause about meaning.

We have become troubled souls, witnesses to so much that at times, we shrug off and suffer from the sin of a thought dismissed, or a word unspoken because instead we should delve into what prompted the thought, write it down and develop a course of action.

It is said that we are made in GOD’s image, that our thoughts are the introspective and intuitive realizations of how we should live our lives. When a thought crosses our mind, therefore, it is GOD speaking to us… If we do not act, process or develop that inspiration… we bypass the opportunity to grow.

What are the consequences?

Counsel ignored, advice disregarded, guidance not followed, a way not taken, a path not followed, an opportunity missed, a time ended, trust lost, a deed undone, procrastination practiced, indolence embraced, assumptions wrong, ambition denied, a life unfulfilled, a dream shattered, mistakes repeated, excuse emphasized, making rationalization a comfort, denial irresistible, blame alluring, and finding fault fascinating—troubled soul, indeed!

Yes… that is why we see and experience so many troubled souls.

All this distills to a phrase posed by Whittier:

It might have been. But not with sadness, regret, and longing for that missed in life but gratitude for what did not occur.?

For sometimes… we must be rather careful of what we wish for, because we may get it, so in the end, with so much overwhelming us each and every day, let’s give thanks for what did not occur!

A similar song... similar thoughts... Happy Thanksgiving 2023

Lyrics

The changing of sunlight to moonlight

Reflections of my life

Oh, how they fill my eyes

The greetings of people in trouble

Reflections of my life

Oh, how they fill my eyes

Oh, my sorrows

Sad tomorrows

Take me back to my own home

Oh, my crying (oh, my crying)

Feel I'm dying, dying

Take me back to my own home

I'm changing, arranging

I'm changing

I'm changing everything

Oh, everything around me

The world is

A bad place

A bad place

A terrible place to live

Oh, but I don't want to die

Oh, my sorrows

Sad tomorrows

Take me back to my own home

Oh, my crying (oh, my crying)

Feel I'm dying, dying

Take me back to my own home

Oh, my sorrows

Sad tomorrows

Take me back to my own home