This Is Where The Story Starts

By forest_for_ever

Sat, 11 Jan 2025
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4 comments
 

This Is Where The Story Starts

As I am now in the twilight of my years and my autumn rapidly approaches my winter I have a vast expanse of experiences and turning points or even choices of pathways.  People will muse ‘if I had…’ or ‘what if…’  It is said that hindsight is a wonderful thing, although I disagree on that point.  For me looking back is only of help if it informs my future or makes me a better person.

My title for this is taken from a radio show called ‘The Goon Show’ broadcast in the 1950s and from an episode titled Dishonoured and the recuring line this is where the story really starts…’ The spooky thing is that I read the IP after getting home from a recovery meeting.  ‘New Beginnings’ was strong theme in the meeting and reading the IP only reinforced my personal belief that I have been ‘guided’ for want of a better word.

I still don’t take disappointment with any degree of equanimity, but looking back as far as I can remember I feel that my life has not only been full of new beginnings, but enriched by the process.  Despite my attempts to control my life or order its future I have come to be aware that I am here and now and who I am because of those beginnings.  Alternative reality theorists love to play out the idea of endless possibilities; some apocalyptically so.  Me?  I am glad I was brought here. 

One example dates back to the 70s when I was typically assured and felt in control.  I suffered a rejection that change the course of my life almost literally.  Had that single event not taken place I would not have met my wonderful wife of 46 years and a whole host of other things that I would categorise as ‘new beginnings’ from relationships to careers. I have taken quite a round route on the grand tour of life, but each new beginning has led me here and I am grateful.

Certificate U
Biography
Philosophy
Inspiration Point (work that responds to our weekly writing cue)

Comments

Submitted by Turlough on

It's incredible how when something goes badly, or totally wrong, it can lead on to a series of good things in our lives. I'd say this happened to me and possibly / probably to most people, though not everybody... sometimes things are far too wrong. Unfortunately not everyone can appreciate how they might have benefitted from the consequences that have taken a good turn and are likely to dwell on the bad. 

And hindsight... we shouldn't say should have!

It's good that you can see how events have fitted together to bring you a life that you are grateful for. And it's good that you're able to share your thoughts in this respect.

Good on you!

Turlough

Submitted by Rhiannonw on

I was reminded of the hymn, 'When all thy mercies, O my God' by Joseph Addison, where he mentions blessings received before my infant heart conceived from whom those comforts flowed. and praised the God who had held and kept him When in the slippery paths of youth with heedless steps I ran and John Newton in Amazing Grace looks back on being kept safe through man dangers, toils and snares.

You have been able to encourage others in their struggles through some of the experiences and new beginnings you have found! Rhiannon

 

Submitted by forest_for_ever on

I can't say I liked some of the choices at the time or didn't bear resentment, but I can see that for me personallly I have been guided and have learnt to be gratefu for the path; one I could not have forseen, but one that I was clearly guided.

 

Submitted by Penny4athought on

A look back over the years can give us insight into the necessary path we've taken to be where we are and make us thankful for even the trials and errors because it brought us here. I will never regret the years I've had with the person I loved and looking over them, I am grateful to have those memorie today. Thank you for postig this -

Penny4athought