I'd Do It All The Same

"Accept the pain, cherish the joys, resolve the regrets, then can come the best of benedictions: "If I had my life to live over, I'd do it all the same." - Joan McIntosh, writer

I know I would do it all the same.  That may sound strange but it's true - it even sounds funny to me because I've made quite a few "mistakes" in my lifetime.  I used to think that I would change many of my choices from the past if I had it to do again.  But some very good friends have taught me that I had to go through every experience in order to get to this point in my life today.

If I hadn't gotten married at the age of twenty, I wouldn't have my two beautiful children today.  They were conceived at the perfect moment - that's what makes them who they are today.  If I hadn't hit rock bottom at the age of thirty-five, I wouldn't have found a group of friends who lifted me up and loved me until I learned to love myself.  If I hadn't been in the relationships I was in, I wouldn't have learned that I am a divine creation of God who is worthy of love and friendship.

The pain, the joys, the regrets, and all the rest of life's happenings help me to focus on getting closer to God.  That oneness with God allows me to connect with people through love and understanding.  There is nothing better than that as far as I'm concerned.  I'm one of those people who can say with no hesitation that I'd do it all the same!