Life Resembles a Book

 Life resembles a book. Every page, chapter and section can include an adventure, a romance, and a comedy. If you are in a horror chapter, don’t stop and sightsee, keep on going. 

- Jamie Lynn Juniper

When I was a kid, they had these cool books where you got to decide what happened to your character. Does the character turn left towards the spaceship? If so, go to page 25. If your character goes straight down the spooky path, turn to page 26. They were a lot of fun. Even my classmates who didn’t normally enjoy reading picked up a book. These books remind me of life. Do I take a job at Company A? If so, go to page 40. Do I take a job at Company B? Then turn to page 45. In the books, however, if you don't like how the story turns out, you just go back and change your mind. 

Life, however, isn't as simple as going back to a previous chapter or section. But that doesn't mean you are stuck. When one chapter in your life ends, another one begins. You never know who you are going to meet, what opportunity may arise or even how you may feel about a given situation. I am surprised at how one situation in my life turned out. My son, diagnosed with high functioning autism at the age of four, had a very difficult time in elementary school and in junior high. I could not imagine this situation would improve drastically. But it did. He started doing really well in high school. In junior high, I received calls from the school at least twice a week regarding his behavior and his difficulty staying awake in class. By his second year in high school, I only received calls if he was sick with the flu or a cold.  The interesting part was that other parents told me similar stories. As their children matured and developed, their behavior improved as well. By the time my son graduated from high school, he no longer needed speech therapy or regular visits with the school psychologist. If you would have told me this years ago, I would not have believed you. 

If you are at a sad part of your story, remember that nothing lasts forever. That doesn't mean a person you have lost will come back to you or that financial troubles will disappear overnight. It means that someone or something may come into your life that will help you during your time of need. I have seen this time and time again.  

Several years ago, I hit a very low period in my life and could not imagine ever feeling better. But I did start to feel better. I even learned to thrive (something I never guessed would happen). That period was now 5 years ago! My life is still very stressful. But I have learned to view it from different lenses. I am no longer hopeless.