So, in the last little while I realized something, happiness is always getting to be yourself. I think most of this discovery is related to my overuse of social networking sites. You see, I have friends from all facets of my life. Times when I was up doing what I believed to be right and times when I was down and decisions I was making were less than admirable. Because of this, I have the opportunity for things to surface that could be a surprise to others, both ways. Now, I know there are those that avoid this by simply not acknowledging their old friends or carefully filtering their posts. I have to admit, there was a point in my life that something like that would have worried me but to be honest I am not sure why...
I think it is safe to say that everyone, changes and goes through stages in their life. Now, I am not in any way saying those stages are as drastic or different from one point to another, nor am I somehow excusing any behaviors that I may have had in the past. I am just saying that change is part of growing for good or for bad. I think that the important thing is being to recognize who you really are at each stage of the process.
It has taken years for me to come to accept that everything I have done or said in my life is part of who I am and trying to remove or pretend that things didn't happen is like trying to remove a vital organ and continue living. It just can't be done. Eventually, you have to accept every aspect of who you are...you don't have to be proud of every moment. I certainly am not. But you can't pretend they didn't happen.
Accepting things for what they are, may involve some apologies, both giving and accepting. It may involve being humbled, admitting mistakes and even shedding some tears but for me, it has allowed me to come to terms and be happy with who I NOW am.
I think social networking and media has opened up so many opportunities that I don't think I would have had in making amends with trespasses on both the giving and receiving ends. Now, I know that this may not make any sense, or pertain to everyone but for those few...I encourage you to learn to like who you are...after all, it's the only you, you've got.
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It's so interesting that you would talk about this--I was just thinking how weird it feels to find some old friends on Facebook and realize what a stranger I must seem to them with all the changes I've been through over the past decade or so. I'm who I was...'cept way different! :o)
Man, you should have been at the "seminary reunion". I felt like a stranger. I'm the same person but the evolution of me has been quite the ride. People from Red Bluff really don't know me at all anymore. I've come to a point in life that I'm good with me and that is a great feeling. Like it or not. You have a great blog. This post was like reading my own journal. I completely get where you're coming from. Change is inevitable, vital and is best when embraced. Those that can accept it and be honest about it are the ones that I like to surround myself with.