CRESTING THE HILL
When I named my blog Cresting The Hill, it was to recognize that the hardest part of the climb was behind me - all those years of learning, and growing, and adapting, of parenting, working in not-so-fabulous jobs, of scrimping and saving, and putting myself last were behind me. It was time to stop and breathe and enjoy the view.WATER UNDER THE BRIDGE
I'm now coming to the point where all those life experiences have left their mark, but have passed by like water under a bridge. I'm no longer young or untried, I'm not a working mother, or struggling to find my place in the world. I'm not weathering storms and wondering if I'll survive to tell the story. No, now I'm sitting on the crest and looking outwards - not backwards (been there and done that) but out towards what lies ahead.I don't have to leap up and jump right into the next stage. I don't have to worry that I might trip and fall as I pick up momentum on the downhill slope. For now I can just sit and reflect and enjoy some peace and quiet. There are regrets, there are successes, there are things I could have done differently, there were bumps in the path, but I've made it this far and it's nice to slow down for a moment and acknowledge that achievement.
LIFE LESSONS
The last few years have taught me a lot, they've shown me that I can't depend on life staying the same, or staying controllable. Upheavals happen, people change - some for the better, some for the not-so-good, but I can't do anything about that. All I can do is ride the wave and hope I don't get dumped along the way. And even if I do get dumped, I've learned that things bubble and churn and you lose your breath, but eventually you find the surface again and take a breath and continue on.
Sometimes I feel like I'm in control of my life and it just keeps getting more simple and straightforward as I let go of things that I had thought were important and really aren't. Other times life reminds me that I can't control everything and everyone. The saying is "you can't control people (or life) you can only control your reactions to them" and that has been a big lesson for me to learn.
CHANGES, CHANGES EVERYWHERE
Things change and I can't control those ups and downs. I'm in a different job, my husband changed careers, my marriage has survived a storm, my children live in the city while we are in the country......and so the changes continue. Nothing stays the same, and that's a good thing - nobody wants to stagnate.
And yet, through all of those changes, life is good and I am content with who I am and the life I am living - what more could I ask for? I've found out who I am and what's important, what's worth fighting for, what's worth holding onto, and what to let go of. This is me with all my flaws - but still laughing, still celebrating life, still doing my best, still failing at times, still picking myself up and trying again. This is the nitty gritty of daily life and I wouldn't ask for it to be any other way.
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The only reason I read blogs is because to my experience if I take away even just the tiniest nugget from each when I read it makes it all worth while. I didn't realize that's why you had named your blog cresting the hill. Today I'm stealing that idea as a mantra of sorts. My chant will become: the hardest part of the climb is behind me <3
ReplyDeleteI do the same thing Carla - I love all the little insights into life I get by reading the thoughts of others - everyone has different aspects to their lives and we need to widen our world - blogging does that every time for me.
DeleteI like the new look! I have had some of those same lessons from life, too.
ReplyDeleteCarol
Ahealingspirit.org
Thanks Carol - I love it too - so fresh and a real boost for me. I knew I wanted to update it but was a loss as to how - this is just perfect.
DeleteI love learning why you named your blog Cresting the Hill. And yes, change is good. Although we sometimes just want to stay in a comfortable place, change is what keeps us active not only physically, but mentally and emotionally as well. Change can be a good thing if we let it.
ReplyDeleteIt's funny what you said about change Jennifer - I'm writing a post atm about taking a risk and not always playing safe and I notice your post was on a similar theme - it must be something we're all thinking about :)
DeleteYes, comfort can be such a trap yet change can be so scary and invigorating. Love the new look!
ReplyDeleteThanks so much Andrea! Isn't it lovely and fresh? I keep being pleasantly surprised every time I open it up :) And you're so right about change being invigorating!
DeleteWe all need to embrace change in our lives or otherwise we get left behind. Sometimes I've discovered it's not easy and I've had to be dragged kicking and screaming into new unchartered waters, but once I get used to change I'm ok with it. I think I'm more than likely in for some more changes coming into my life as my kids are getting older and maybe starting families of their own. Great post Leanne. #TeamLovinLife
ReplyDeleteI was the same way with change Kathy - and I still struggle with it at times - it's the overthinking that bogs me down. Now I try to take a risk now and then, or at least not think it to death before I tackle something new!
DeleteChange brings texture & growth - & sometimes I think we get so caught up in the chaos that we forget that. Love your new look & the idea behind the crest. You're right, in hindsight we've weathered so much - it's a good reminder that when life throws curve balls, we can (no matter how painful at the time) get through the other side. #TeamLovinLife
ReplyDeleteWe won't grow if we aren't prepared to change will we Jo? I hate the idea of stagnating, but also the scariness of taking risks - it's finding a balance somewhere in between that might be the best for me - and thanks so much for the compliment on the new blog look - I love it!
DeleteI love that contentment. I'm nearly 50 but still at that point when I need to become financially secure and am currently not particularly happy in the work I'm doing but see little option. I'd been mortgage free but last year decided to sell my flat and buy a larger and nicer house and got myself a mortgage. It's not huge but it ties me to making enough money to pay that and my bills for the foreseeable future and - for some reason at the moment - I'm finding that depressing. I know I'm far from old and I know I'm way off retirement but struggling to remind myself of the consequences of my decisions.
ReplyDeleteI know what you mean Deb - it's so hard when we can see all the great things we could be doing if we weren't tied to that boring 9-5 job (and one you dislike makes it even harder) I guess you have to look at short term pain for long term gain - that new house will be the reward for all those extra hours you have to put in :)
DeleteLife is good and so is contentment. Thank you for sharing your wise and soothing words this week.
ReplyDeleteSSG xxx
My pleasure - a little bit of contentment goes a long way to seeing us through life with a smile on our faces doesn't it?
DeleteI love the name of your blog and can so relate, it's a great stage of life. As for changes - well Miss 20 has just moved back home which was pretty unexpected (but welcome!). Not sure how long she'll be here though ...
ReplyDeleteAnother change to the family dynamic Janet - it will certainly be an adjustment for everyone - I found that whenever mine came home for uni breaks etc it took a while for them to settle into a good spot in the family - not back to being a child but also not just doing their own thing to the exclusion of everyone else. Good luck!
DeleteI love the explanation of why you named the blog what you did. Love all that you've written here Leanne. It's spot on and so beautifully expressed. Thank you! :-) #TeamLovinLife
ReplyDeleteThanks so much Min - I love this stage of life and all that I'm finding out about myself after putting it all in a box for so many years - it's a lovely time to take off the lid and explore a little bit.
DeleteI'm so glad to read your post Leanne. It's good to hear of people being content. I'm also in that boat and loving life. #TeamLovinLife
ReplyDeleteI can tell from your posts how happy you are with where you're at in life Deb - it shines through and I think that's what I enjoy most when I read other Midlife blogs :)
DeleteLove this bit: "Sometimes I feel like I'm in control of my life and it just keeps getting more simple and straightforward as I let go of things that I had thought were important and really aren't."
ReplyDelete#teamlovinlife
It's the truth though isn't it Leanne? We need to let go of the rubbish and focus on what really makes us happy - that's when authenticity really shows through.
DeleteI love this post Leanne. It's a shame it takes us so long to learn these lessons - wouldn't it be wonderful if we were able to gain this wisdom earlier? It would certainly save us all a lot of pain, stress and heartbreak...
ReplyDeleteI've thought the same Kirtsty - it took me 50 years - less time for your generation and maybe less for the following ones - hopefully the pain and stress will decrease with each generation too.
DeleteYour post perfectly describes this point of my life - your positive outlook was very inspiring. I have often felt gratitude for the experiences I've had and the lessons I've learned. I'm optimistic about the "downhill" part because I know what I've climbed through on the way up the hill. Thank you for writing this.
ReplyDeleteWonderful post, Leanne, "sit and reflect and enjoy some peace and quiet" sounds perfect - and well deserved. Speaking of...
ReplyDeleteYou have been nominated for the Mystery Blogger Award! 🎖 Congratulations, let's celebrate! 🥂🍾
https://thethreegerbers.blogspot.ch/2017/06/mystery-blogger-award.html
Cresting the Hill! I love that and can also see myself sitting on top of that proverbial hill enjoying the view. Looking forward and not back. Thanks Leanne for such great insight!!
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