by Sherelle Cary Smith

Created on: July 01, 2007

This is a good topic because it is something I am reflecting on at the moment. I think everyone reflects upon the passage of time but as you get older and you are able to look back at more, there is so much more to think about, especially if you are trying to move in a new direction.

When I reflect, my first train of thought is to look back at mistakes I feel I've made in my lifetime. It is my first impulse to lean towards regret or remorse. There is a tendency to develop a "it's too late" attitude and resign one's self to penance for a life not lived well. I am in my late forties with dreams not yet realized even now so this line of thinking is hard to resist. "I could have been this or that by now" I want to say to myself. But is that really true? Does everyone find success in their twenties? And if that is supposed to be the case, who made up that rule? Does life really have to be winding down at 50 or is it possible that for some, life actually "begins" at 50? I read somewhere that, "everything you are right now is a result of your experiences", and that "there are no mistakes; just lessons learned". Is this not what life is about? Is it not a journey which we all take? Are we not all as individual and unique as the stars? One person may succeed early in life and achieve great success and wealth. They may live to be in their 90's. Another person may achieve success early in life because their light was not meant to last that long. And some people (to which I include myself in this category) are not meant to shine early but are meant to shine later in life. This brings me great comfort and hope.

Time is relative and age is a state of mind. I've met young people who act old and older people who act like children full of life. No matter how much time has passed in your life, it's important "how" we look at it. It's important to savor it all; the good, the bad, and the ugly and accept each of these as part of what makes us who we are. Time passes painfully slow for those of us filled with remorse and regret so it's best to forgive one's self, learn the lessons that were taught, and go on to achieve that which is the passion of the heart. Once we do that, we can look back with satisfaction and assurance that we have lived our lives to the fullest.

Sources: Jack Canfield "The Success Principles" and Joe Vitale "The Attractor Factor"

Learn more about this author, Sherelle Cary Smith.
Click here to send this author comments or questions.