Real life revisited

A wonderful friend of mine made some great comments that I'd like to share with you. I've paraphrased them somewhat, but I find these words inspiring, challenging, and important.

Make your blog about 'real life.' Life is life, and all of it is real.  There are definitely stages like childhood, adolescence, early adulthood, and on and on, but there is no part that can be separated from the rest.  I think it all has to be acknowledged and accepted as part of what we have experienced; part of what has made us who we are.  "Real life," as you use it, has no meaning for me.  I remember as a student, probably in college, but possibly still in high school, reading that the poet Goethe in later life was ashamed of some of his earlier writings and disavowed these.  I always considered that strange.  I note you say the same thing about your earlier blog.  Now both you and Goethe are much, much more creative than I can ever hope to be, and perhaps that's the difference, but I do wonder about disavowing parts of one's life as later stages overtake us.

I may look at things this way because of my experience in AA and alcohol and drug abuse.  Part of what is called the promises of AA states that we shall come to a point in our lives where "we shall neither regret the past, nor wish to close the door on it."  To me that means that, if we understand and are contented with what has gotten us to where we are in life, then we have a chance at contentment at present.  Contentment here does not mean 'happiness.'  Rather it signifies that we are at peace with what has led us to where we are.  Even though the past may be filled with tragedy, embarrassment, and pain, if we learn from all this and accept it, we are better armed to confront our present circumstances and perhaps even the future.  That is reason enough to be content.

We are all in some ways at the same point.  We are still learning from our experiences and making necessary adjustments in our lives, just as we did when we were five and entered school, 13/14 and entered high school, 17/18 and entered college, and on and on.  All those points were/are very real, and all part of our lives.

So I suppose I should say this: to be completely honest, one of the main reasons I decided to start this blog, the major life event that gave me permission (I suppose) to begin again, is the recent breakup I went through. It was an extremely loving, long, dare I say perfect relationship. Why did it have to end? I have already learned a great deal about myself and the nature of love and life from that heartbreaking experience, and I plan on sharing -- from the heart -- more and more as I feel able.

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