Dear Past:
Hi, it's me, you, but 14 years in the future....
Hello
Good-bye
I’m free today
So long.
We have come a long way since 1998, dude, and still have far to go, but when I look back at a 5 part series of posts I wrote in February 2011, I realize that letting you affect me and the way I think is a hindrance to my progress.
That series of posts was based on exercises in the book What Color is My Parachute? by Richard Bolles.
It was, I think, the first time I had ever so completely explored what made me who I am in such a positive, uplifting, looking toward the future manner.
It probably annoyed the hell out of you, I know...well tough.
A few months later I broke my ankle and hopes, dreams and plans first given voice openly in that series were shelved for a year.
No doubt you were pleased. Nice try, though.
Despite your best efforts, however, I continued to find inspiration through various books I read, events I attended, online challenges I participated in, compliments paid to me, and the encouragement of new friends made who are guiding me in new directions and encouraging me to stop letting your obsession with the negative side of our life together get the better of me, and affect my amazing progress of the past 10 months, especially since the summer and my move here to Houston.
In case you haven't noticed my writing has improved, I want to re-design my blogs, I've submitted and had rejected not just a poem, but a speaking proposal for the upcoming Blog Paws convention, which I still plan to attend in May, been interviewed by a fellow writer/blogger and written 2 guest blog posts.
Oh, and I'm learning about chapbooks and e-books, too!
Despite your efforts at derailing me with financial and health issues, not to mention the occasional bout with doubt and discouragement and a, so far, unsuccessful job search, I have kept my spirits high and my determination strong.
I've found a church I'm comfortable with, I've beat back one eye issue, through surgery and have confidence I will beat back the other (I am able to manage my medical issues very well! I am not a victim of my medical issues!).
I am eating better, losing weight, and going to cook more for myself! After 5 months I am finally back in a gym, determined to do the exercises I was doing last spring and early summer to strengthen my ankle and lower and upper body.
I had a job interview, with the promise of a follow-up and though it didn't pan out I know it was not any fault of mine and I just learned today of extremely positive news regarding another application that, I hope, will lead to a successful outcome.
I have a laptop computer and soon will have a working printer, despite your best efforts to derail me with tech issues and I plan to get a carrying case that will allow me to take it and my cordless keyboard and mouse, along with a notepad, clipboard and pens, with me from time to time.
Learning to use them, away from home, will prepare me for the challenges of attending conventions and anything else, even just going out on a "writing lunch" alone.
My bike is working again, I am unwrapping the mysteries of the local transit system and beginning to learn more about this city I now call home, attending events and meeting people.
My future is bright, my hopes and dreams are, God willing, achievable, and dwelling on the way things were in the last century won't help accomplish them.
All is well with my soul. It doesn’t matter what I did in the past…It only matters what I do in the future!
So long, farewell
Auf Wiedersehen, goodnight
It's time for you to go,
You are a sorry sight.
So long, farewell
Auf Wiedersehen, adieu
It's time to accomplish
Something new.
So long, farewell
Auf Weidersehen, good-bye.
Material referenced for this post:
What Color is MY Parachute? The My Life Story Exercise - Pt. 1 of a 5 part series (Just follow the links if you are so inclined).
http://www.madmacedonian.com/2011/02/what-color-is-my-parachute-the-my-life-story-exercise.html
Apologies to the Von Trapps.....
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=xNs3nK31DKc
Picture taken at Sculpture Park, Bellfort and South Freeway, Houston - 2/19/13
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