Life's Unforeseen Journey: Lessons Learned and Gratitude

Have everything you wanted to do in life turned out exactly as you envisioned? Probably not. Life seems to love throwing you curveballs, situations, and outcomes that you never asked for, looked for, or even imagined. It's often the unexpected that can be the most inspiring and transformative.

My journey through life has certainly had its fair share of unexpected twists and turns. Back in the day, I had no grand plans or fantasies about the kind of life I wanted to lead. I was just focused on surviving one day at a time. My younger years were consumed by struggles, including dealing with child abuse and personal adversity. With work being a highly absorbing and demanding aspect, I simply did what was necessary to stay afloat.

However, looking back, I can confidently say that I'm thankful for my current life. I have good health, a roof over my head, ample love, and the ability to help whenever I can. There are other material possessions and goals, but those things are just... stuff.

Throughout life, you'll form and lose friendships. It's all a cycle, with things coming and going. I don't dwell on or make fantasies about life. If I've worked hard for something and invested my energy into it, I have no doubt it will manifest. I did that when I was younger, just wanting to actually live, to experience all the facets of life, from joy to sorrow, and ultimately arrive at peace.

Now, at 41, I reflect on the life I had envisioned. I had dreams of being happily married to a nice Korean American partner, having two children, and achieving a career that provided a comfortable six-figure income. While those dreams didn't materialize, circumstances led to the dissolution of my marriage and left me with a single child. I've been unemployed for the past seven years, but I still feel blessed because I have a paid house, a son doing well, and the means to take care of my sick husband.

While I haven't achieved every dream I had, I have learned to focus on what I do have and be grateful for it. It's not always smooth sailing, but life teaches us valuable lessons. My journey of life, though not what I planned, has brought challenges, but also provided chances for personal growth and reflection.