Teresa Crecelius
Porch Time with T
As I’ve had some time to reflect on my life and time to visit with friends a little more intently, I’ve learned some lessons and so have they. We’ve learned that in this life we can only control what’s in “our lane,” and that worrying about friends, family and others only gives us more stress when all along it’s not our job to fix the world, change people, protect our babies or to judge our neighbors.
We’ve all learned that if we stay in our “lane” of the roadway and leave the worrying about the other traffic to God, we’re rewarded with precious moments that all worked out without all the hours of worrying or budging into their traffic.
We as grand and great grandparents have spent countless sleepless nights worrying, fearing and trying to ensure everyone is safe and on the right roadway, when all along we were never “in charge.”
Those times in school or relationships where someone “honked” into our life and judged us, and they were completely “out of their lane” and fixin’ to cause an accident. To cause heartbreak and resentment that could last years (now called bullying or just being nosey). The wasted talks and lectures from our parents when in the end we did what we wanted anyway and were just fine.
Traffic signs, the world is full of them. Yield! In other words watch out for others, they may hurt you, talk about you, deceive you and “get in your lane.” Curve ahead! Meaning we need to be mindful, careful, be prepared, protect our hearts and those of others. Detour! We’ve all hit those traffic signs where we learn that the path we were on wasn’t the best route and we can turn a different way and our lives change. Exit! Oh yes, each of us have seen that sign and know that that’s where we get off, maybe get out of a bad relationship or friendship or that exit sign could lead you to better things, good people, new towns, new friends, family you’ve neglected to visit or to say goodbye to a loved one. And of course that 55mph speed limit sign! Are we going the speed limit of life or do we need to slow down and enjoy our life or speed up to not miss out on something important? Then of course Construction Ahead! Life is full of construction, rebuilding lives, stabilizing relationships, rebuilding old friendships, building a stronger family bond, saving your marriage, and raising those kiddos. Just always making sure we have concrete plans, building strength in our own structure to balance our lives, all while we are “in our own lane” and all that other traffic doesn’t have to be ours to repair.
Peace!