Copyright Erin Leary
Introspection becomes retrospection which leads to a head-on collision with shoulda, coulda, woulda hauling ass in my direction. Today while sorting through my to-do list, I stumbled upon a page of my life story that reminded me once upon a time I was a different person. Rebellion has been replaced by confidence, blind faith by experience. No longer craving approval, I have self-respect. No longer existing in a state of want, I have great fortune. Not the kind needing a portfolio manager but that merits gratitude. I wish doubt would never darken my doorstep again. Is that just wishful thinking?
*****
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Honie Briggs 
Great perspective.. and once you have seen the light.. darknesss is easily forgotten…
it is, isn’t it. funny how that works. let the light shine!
Very thought provoking, Honie. Time changes everything, including us. I enjoyed this very much.
Russell, I’m so glad you enjoyed this. Time, the ultimate game changer. Thanks for commenting.
Love this and need to borrow it as a daily reminder of where I have come to when I am feeling low.
Borrow it anytime you like, Val. I hope you feel better soon.
I enjoyed this – like your own personal proclamation of freedom. We all need to feel this way more often.
Erin, thanks for the prompt. It sparked a lot of thoughtful stories.
Hooray for taking charge of one’s own life!!! Great take on the picture prompt. Absolutely great!
Thanks, hugmamma!
The pleasure’s all mine…
I really like this philosophical, navel gazing number. And, yes. There is always doubt – it’s doubt that makes us human, likeable.
Always doubt. hmmm…dammit, you’re right. I wish you weren’t. More wishful thinking. So, we are likeable humans, I suppose.
Hi Honie,
A nice introspective musing about growth, change and how things, including ourselves, aren’t static, but ever changing. And I like the way your presented your thoughts. Good writing. Ron
Hi Ron, Thanks for the kind words.
With age comes wisdom… I hate when all those things my grandmother/ mother/ etc said come true, but they do indeed. It’s a process. I find that 10 steps forward inevitably brings a couple of stumbles back as well. I’ve been writing a lot about this on my blog lately, as I navigate some big lessons. Nice job with this prompt! That fog and fuzzy sun, seem to bring a sense of contemplation, right? We went in similar directions. 😉
We did go in similar directions. Searching for clarity is an ongoing struggle. Getting it together requires taking it apart somehow, I think. This was much much longer than 100 words on the first pass. I agree about the prompt. It lent itself to the topic of self-analysis.
So true! Getting it together does indeed require taking it apart… an ongoing process for me. 😉
Wonderful, Honie! Your description of the two opposing sides is spot on.
Amy, I am so happy you saw that. It’s like one minute there is this recognition of how good things are and in the very next moment that old bugaboo creeps onto the page to ruin it.
Well written and so true! It’s amazing how this process occurs, I’ve definitely been in some head-on collisions myself. My new poetry book is very much about and a product of these experiences that you’re talking about.
One of the beauties of writing is that we have so much of ourselves that we can revisit. I think all artists and craftineers go through this when we look back on our older works. Really if you looked back and nothing was different then that alone could teach us that we need to do some growing and changing. I’m proud to know I’ve changed, even if sometimes I’m embarrassed by the old days. Good for you for being able to recognize and give yourself props!
Thanks for sharing!
eLPy
I get what you are saying about older works. I was so happy to complete my first book. I think now there are parts that I would write differently. The good thing is…I can keep writing. Thanks for commenting.
Everything in hindsight right? I already can feel my experience from publishing this book working for the next. And yes, we keep on keeping on!
🙂
It’s amazing the way we continue to change and grow. I embrace it these days. Thanks for the reminder.
I have to remind myself all the time.
Dear Honie,
Deeply profound and masterfully written.
Shalom,
Rochelle
Dear Rochelle,
I just chiseled away at it until this was left. Your encouraging words mean so much.
Peace,
Honie
What a positive outlook on life – You’re great – Thanks for the pep talk! Nan
You give great compliments, Nan. It’s funny, the first title was How To Give A Pep Talk. Of course, I had to trim about eighty words from the first draft.
I agree with Sandra profound is the word.
I like that word. Thank you.
This is pitch perfect, Honie! I might need to print it for my inspiration bulletin board.
Well, that makes my day!
Well said:-)
🙂
Nicely profound piece.
Thank you, Sandra.
Nice play with introspection and retrospection.
Thanks, Lyle. That is just how it goes, too. Just like that.
“Introspection becomes retrospection which leads to a head-on collision with shoulda, coulda, woulda hauling ass in my direction.”—Loved that line!
Not too lyrical? Like a philosophical cowboy? 🙂
As long as he’s not wearing Wranglers, it works for me. 😉
No Wranglers here. All our cowboys wear Levi’s or nothing at all. 😉
Ooh la la.
love this
LouAnn – smiles –