How has your life been different than you imagined?

How has your life been different than what you'd imagined?

Is the difference between what you thought it would be and what it actually is, large or small? 

Does the difference bring you joy, or sorrow?

Re: How has your life been different than you imagined?

Different from what I'd imagined in childhood - oh yes!

In childhood, this is how I thought I'd be- bustling about large rooms  in a huge house of many children and staff and family and extended family; in a saree, with a huge bunch of keys jingling from the waist, getting happily overwhelmed with the work I am doing. The image brought me joy and a sense of familiarity.

This is how I am- bustling about - check
feeling happily overwhelmed - check
many children - no; but each of the two is so perfect, that i say the best model rolled out the first time, so we didn't need any second models
staff - yes : moi me hum I and …yes, of course, the family and the wonderful appliances that wash clothes [sorry organic living, but when I washed clothes by hand a few months ago I enjoyed it but it was exhausting and didn't allow me to do other jobs!]; and do some of the dishes and so on….
extended family - now, parents visiting. yay!
in a saree - no,  more western clothes, living in a western country that feels more like home than I could've imagined! [after all, here too the Natives are called Indian!]
This is how I feel –when in pensive mood, I marvel that life turns out so differently. I feel  the tug from that imagination as if a desire wants to play itself out.

In healing connection, I realize the 'imagination' was the memory of ancestors who are ever with us, seeking to work out their unresolved issues through us. It is a task I usually take on in light; but of late, have been asked to do it in a more personal way, so am doing so. I can feel them jostling for attention, and have to remind them to wait their turn. We work their issues as that is the miraculous duty of the human life, but do not need to get overwhelmed by that either! The freedom is ever in our hands…

Grt questions, Laurie; I could go on, but…hey, let's let others speak! [stop jostling!]

Re: How has your life been different than you imagined?

I was taught I would grow up, get married, have children & a home. It is not that way once you move out and the rent, utilities, car, etc. are due. It wasn't how I'd imagined so I worked and put myself through school and began a career of running my own business. By doing that, I did get what I wanted and appreciated things by earning them. So, it turned out better than I could have ever imagined and finally learned how to have imagination to make a better world.

Re: How has your life been different than you imagined?

I hadn't thought past raising my family. I didn't realize I would have a life of my own to explore my own feelings and creative process. It's like being a kid again only better. I don't have a longing at his point in my life…longing fulfilled I'm feeling more free than I imagined. I feels like a vacation in many ways. ~ successful transition ~

Re: How has your life been different than you imagined?

Well, from the time I realized that someday I was going to be like all the “big grownups”  that I would not always be a child, I believed and wanted to be a mother.  I thought my mother was absolutely beautiful, kind and loving. 

Fortunately or unfortunately along about 4th grade (a parochial school taught by nuns of the RC church) I began to hear that someday I may become a nun.  That, I did not want.  At that point a 9-year struggle began within me in which I yielded and entered the convent after graduating from high school. 

Before starting grade school and on through the next 12 years there was a great emphasis on becoming holy and striving to do God's will.  How one would spend eternity (which might begin at any moment) was dependent on not commiting sin. 

After one year in the convent, it became apparent that I did not belong there. 

There were few choices for a young woman whose family was of the blue-collar status.  Marry or live with parents and go to work.  At age 20 I married a young man (22) who I met the year before I went to the convent.  That's it!

I became the mother of six within 10 years, hubby went to school evenings and began to develop a career.  I would remain married nurturing and caring for six children, they would grow up, leave home and I will have been wife and mother and then empty nester, my husband would grow old, handsome, and white haired and together we would travel, go on cruises and dance.       

That is what I imagined.  Some happened and some did not.  It was a life of hard work, disappointments, struggles and a lot of depression. 

A decision that I made in my late 20s or early 30s played a very large part in my becoming who I am today.  I became involved with a powerful community organization.  It's purpose was to help people to recognize their own power in determining the conditions and environment of the community in which they lived.  In short, Democracy began to breathe, act and be heard. 

Word was that the area was to be condemned to make way for “Urban Renewal”.  People would be forced to sell their homes for whatever they could get and relocate. 
Enough people organized and in effect said:  “Hell no, we won't go!”

My involvement in that organization was the beginning of my self-esteem.  It was found that I had a natural talent for reading people and groups.  Ideas and solutions for problems would just flow.  I grew and blossomed.  I was approached to become a paid member of the staff and I refused saying the time and talent that I gave was mine.  If I was paid, it would no longer be mine.  Some would say that I should sharpen my talent by going to school.  Others said, “No.  School will spoil your natural talent.”  They were right.  Besides, I was satisfied and was not interested in going to school.  I have problems with conformity and schedules and others' expectations of me. 
Today, when talking with people singley or in groups, it is assumed that I have a college degree. 
Oh yes, I have higher education, it's just not recorded anywhere.   
Before I and my family left the city, I was asked if I would accept a nomination for presidency in the organization.  I declined because at the end of the 1960s I did not believe the people were ready for a woman leader and even now I will not compete, if I believe I will not win.   So I was elected first vice-president of 14. 
The organization was of the same auspice as that in which President Obama volunteered/or worked.  
He was still in school when I was involved. 
His was on the South side.  Mine was on the near Northwest Side.    

I got my headstart and kept on going.  The children all grew up and five of six are living anywhere from 150 miles to 1500 miles away.  My husband's life (though we remained married) was difficult and lonely.  He died in 2004.

Now I am enjoying a new life.  I've found the end of the Rainbow.    

No, what I imagined did not happen. 

The difference is large. 

The difference brings me joy, peace and tears of gratitude.

I'm glad you asked, Laurie.  And I'm glad that I took the time to answer. 

Namaste!

Joyous
1937

  
  

 

Re: How has your life been different than you imagined?

Joyous, how I love reading your words. You are such a wonderful communicator; and I'm so happy that you will communicate more, now that we have  a new room in this group:Life at the end of the Rainbow - A Journal

Whenever you start  your journal there, we'll announce it to all our members.

Kathy, I really enjoyed your sharing, and how you have indeed made life better for so many people - more than you have even mentioned in your short post.

Jeannie, you feel life is a vacation - WOW! 

How has your life been different than you imagined?

This is perhaps one of the richest discussion tapestries that my eyes have had the privilege of drinking in a long time.  

Each of you – Meenakshi, ~KES, Jeannie and Joyous – has used a different color thread and the result is magnificent.  Thank you each for your heart-based contribution.  My life is different than I thought it would be, too:

I thought I would be a scientist.  I'm not, but I use physics in my work every day.  

I thought I would be a magician.  I'm not, but my clients tell me they feel 'magical' when they leave HolEssence.

I thought I would be an adventurer, conquering new worlds.  I'm not, but I travel for business and fun on a regular basis.

I thought I would be a mystery novelist.  I'm not, but my non-fiction articles on health and wellness are published in magazines on a regular basis.

I thought I would be a stand-up comedian.  I'm not, but I make people laugh on a regular basis.

I determined to make a positive, uplifting, constructive and healing change in the world – and I have – in my little corner.

Re: How has your life been different than you imagined?

Your words, Laurie, are like a cookie that melts in ones mouth when one just had a tasty morsel of a, “rich bud of an exposure” to exploding every rich ingredient of a mouth watering richness and that sends you to another place and time with……mmmmmm…..”you… taste, yummy:)”

How has your life been different than you imagined?

Well hello there Merry Sunshine!  Thank you for the high compliment – I appreciate it.  I always appreciate your presence in a discussion thread.  How are you doing? 

Re: How has your life been different than you imagined?

….still trying to kick that darn-acious flu bug of mine……guess I have some talk'n to do regarding, 'the so called song and dance of an release, regarding my feelings with my daughters love affair with life; their off springs and world issues, etc, eh.

 Yes, I believe that our ways of our journey's/ growth and not dealing with it rightfully, persay, has a lot to do with ones' health and the not so clarified ways of speech that make one ill through ones life's journey's because of the not doing(s) so, because of it.
 I say it in this way because, everyone is connected to each other….be it good or not so good and that it seems like there are situations that just get astray/out of hand, of certain situations that need to be heard but aren't yet heard rightfully, either due to that government ruling of, or a family up bringing situation that is in need of a family/peoples' hands on hand communication.

 “It takes a buck” to put that bread and butter on the table and so does a family/mench, to make it so…..so let's do it now and quick, 'cause so and so is in need of some medicine/knowledge that costs more than what i/he/she is incapable/makes.
 
That vicious circle of a growth pattern that is now going around and to a betterment way of growth from it, (family wise/people wise) is why i'm sure so many peoples are getting ill.

Thanks to my love and my humility, that makes a difference to/for all concerned, is what i call, a “high fiver - rock'n roll of stars doing their thing towards a better way/ frame work, for all concerned…a concerned ness i'll be a part of to my last breath, (and still very much, a learn-ed) that be for sure…. and yes, with my most respect and love of all the wonderful gatherings of many a va'we cool insight of many cool beings/peoples' about me, let it be known…….that i couldn't of done it with out you:)

I wants to make a difference and a rightful connection to - to a being in, “needs t' know” from, this really cool god we call GOD and has a kick ass foot up anyones unjustful manner to play back that knock on ones so called head and led'm's t' know that, 'you just don't mess with the “Higher Universe,” so best go and seek yourself out so that your speech can be heard in a better way and 'not get sick over'.

Bless 

p.s…..just letting out some steam,

Thank you, Gaia,
Thank you, Laurie,
and thank you God for me….. and this little root of mine you gave me to share amongst this wondrous/bountiful tree:)

How has your life been different than you imagined?

I very much agree with, “… everyone is connected to each other….be it good or not so good …”  When one of us experiences a 'win' – we all share in it.  When one of us experiences a 'loss' – we all share in it.  The energy of our individual sacred evolutions is connected.

You still haven't kicked the flu?  Are you consistently drinking hot water with lemon in it and taking some mega doses of Vitamin C?  Stay hydrated.