Even if two people in a similar situation where to experience the same situation or activity, the likelihood of their stories being the same is negligible. Recently the idea of our individuality has surfaced frequently for me.
This all said with almost 73 years behind me. I was on a zoom call with 5 amazing high school friends this week (a regular event since covid) and it dawned on me how very different we all were. One particular thought that was blatantly clear to me was how involved they all were in high school and continue to be today in world politics. Not me. My life access is a very different worldly path. Sometimes I am proud of my activities and strengths and other times I feel guilty that I am so removed from what others spend their life's work doing.
A book arrived in the mail this week; HOPE Is a Woman's Name by Amal Elsana Alh'jooj. Just reading the 2 page intro I wondered about my own choices and worth. This woman is truly amazing, an inspiration on an unfathomable scale; her impact on many has been profound. Obviously that will never be me, but it inspires me to be positive about my own choices and give them 100%.
my life, my view, in hindsight –
am i a renegade
have i always crossed the boundaries of the social norm
was i choosing to cross the era’s acceptable limits
was it intentional
was i just listening to my own heart
was i rejecting the conventions of others
did i care what others expected of me
of what they thought
or was i just trying to honor myself
was it about feeling joy in my waking each day
was i casting aside comfort, ease and safety
was i strong and resilent
or was I just a renegade
self-centered
honestly
truly
handling the demands that were thrown at me was not easy
the path for me was to straighten my spine
in the face of disapproval
of trying to be just like my peers
of trying to meet parental expectations
and to be me
giver
server
supporter
a cheerleader for hope
this all said in the mindset of my age now
in hindsight
but then
back when i was young
even then
i was my own captain
setting my sights on my view
now
more than ever
i have the comfort i only wished for in high school
as a young adult
or newly married to my life partner
now
more than ever
i have found strength and comfort
intention
giving
serving and supporting
now
more than ever
i am at peace with my world
or at least i tell myself that