How does that saying go? (Food for Thought)

Ya know... the one about people only being in your life for a season?

I thought for the longest time that that was just hype. I KNEW that my family and friends would always stay close. Our relationships would only grow stronger.

Well, that whole "You live and you learn" saying is true--as is the one about people only being in your life for a season. I've learned a lot since graduating high school -- as you "grow up" -- your friends can grow distant. Life takes you to different places, and people go their separate ways. You get told to "roll with the punches."

Why roll with the punches? Why not just avoid them altogether? I mean, who wants bruises?

Unfortunately, those "bruises" build character. They make YOU who YOU are. When your "friends" choose to find new friends when you get married and have kids, it probably isn't because of who you are... they are just in different lanes of this road we call life. When your family fights and argues, or doesn't talk at all... ya just gotta try to remember that "they'll come around" (or maybe they won't, in which case, you gotta remember you weren't given a choice in who your family is - but ya gotta love them anyway).

I have "lost" more friends than I can count throughout my life, just due to circumstance. But you know what, I'm still happy. I don't NEED those people in my life who don't want to be there. And if they wanted to be there, they would call. My number hasn't changed. In the past few years, I have learned that I can be content just where I am. With who I am.

Don't get me wrong, I miss those friendships and the "good ol' days" from my past just as much as the next person, but that's what they are -- "from my past." It's okay to look in the rearview mirror every now and then, but my focus is now on my future--what lies ahead. If you don't focus on that, you're likely to crash and burn.

This "season" of my life may not contain as many "friends" as I thought it would way back when, but that's okay. I have an amazing husband, the greatest kiddo ever, and my family -- which is even better than all the friends in the world. I didn't get to pick my family, but God did. :) Thank goodness!

All this to say... ummm.... "Don't Worry, Be Happy" -- I know, kind of random today... but...love me anyway!