I'd like to share one of the lessons I learned from reading the Chronicle of Narnia Series by C.S. Lewis. I was actually surprised at all of the allusions to Christ there are in the books, especially through the character Aslan. There are a ton of lessons the books teach, but I noticed a particular lesson always jumping out at me. At one point Lucy asks Aslan what would have happened if she had made a different choice. His reply, "It is not ours to know what would have been..." Essentially saying we must live with the consequences and the results of our choices.
Wouldn't that be nice though, knowing what would have been? Or do you think that would make things worse by dwelling on it? Or would it motivate you to do better and desire to make different choices in the future? And a lot of other questions that each of us could answer differently.
This is kind of related but not the focus of my post. On the anniversary of an unforgettable event that occurred in our nation's history, this is a particularly interesting thought; what would have been had those men not chosen to act the way they did? This is a just a side thought to my original focus, but it brings up questions to my mind; would we have become more complacent in our attitude to the world? Another question, especially for those families who have lost loved ones, what would they being doing now?
We all have made decisions in our lives that we at one time or another regret making (if you haven't then go to heaven already). Have you ever caught yourself thinking, what would my life be like if I made a different choice? Maybe even begin to think life would be better in that other reality. I caught myself doing that today, like I've done before. I snapped out of it though because I was pulled back to my reality when I realized I wouldn't be who I am today. I rather like who I am, where I've been, what I've done, who I know.
It makes me think of a line from Hamlet's soliloquy on suicide (happy, I know). It says, "The undiscovered country from whose bourn no traveller returns, puzzles the will,
and makes us rather bear those ills we have than fly to those we know not of?" (William Shakespeare,
Hamlet)
It's all about perspective I think; if we would have had a better life than we do now, of course we would want it. But if our life would have been worse off than now, we would most definitely run from it. I hope my intended message has come across; the purpose of this post is to say, be happy! Life is what it is. Sometimes things happen for a reason, sometimes things just happen. But whatever happens, I think if we find something to learn from it then we will be a happier person. "But you don't have to take my word for it." (Levar Burton,
Reading Rainbow)
2nd chances are an opportunity to right past wrongs. At some point, some 'entity' decides that we are worthy of a 2nd chance either because we were having an off day, they know we can do better, or they are really patient and forgiving.
