If I've learned one thing, it's this world we live in is a wondrous and
often perplexing place. Life has a way of leading us in many different
directions. Often we must make difficult choices as to which path we're
going to follow and what direction our lives are going to take. It's
easy to get confused along the way and is sometimes hard to know which
path is the right one.
Looking at my own life I'm amazed at how well things have worked out
despite the many mistakes I've made. I say this not because I've amassed
great wealth, fame or immense success in my career - I haven't, not even
close. I say this because I've been truly blessed in my personal life -
my marriage and my children. This is where I find my ultimate happiness
and fulfillment, and is the single aspect of my life which has true
meaning. Without the love of my wife and the miracle that are my
children, my life would be a miserable failure.
When I consider all the twists and turns my wife and I have negotiated
over the years, I realize how truly remarkable it is that we not only
ended up together, but have remained together through it all. One wrong
decision, one misstep along the journey could have changed everything.
So was it merely luck and coincidence that brought us together and has
kept our marriage intact all of these years? Is there some secret road
map we stumbled upon which has given us the direction necessary to make
it this far? I don't think so.
Though we've had our difficulties and made our fair share of mistakes -
myself in particular, we somehow never lost sight of what was truly
important. Through it all, no matter what problems, troubles or
temptations caused us to temporarily lose our way, we clung to the one
thing which gave us our bearings and allowed us to stay the course -
commitment. It would have been so easy for one or both of us to have
given up when things weren't going right. No marriage is perfect, and no
matter how hard we try there will always be times of trouble and
uncertainty. However, by always returning to the very foundation of our
relationship - the commitment we made to each other, we were able to
conquer the problems we encountered.
Life today offers us almost unlimited choices and possibilities. As a
result, temptation and confusion are almost a certainty. Right and wrong
can easily become blurred. Things which hold true meaning can be
overlooked and passed over for those things which merely have the
illusion of fulfillment. However, if we remember the commitment we've
made to our partners and allow this to guide us and give us the strength
to continue on, we can all weather whatever storms my come our way.
Personally, remembering those times when I questioned my own marriage, I
can only shake my head and think how fortunate I am that I didn't lose
everything. For what my wife and I have built together over the years is
indeed my everything. It's impossible for me now to imagine life without
the love, joy and inspiration which comes from my marriage, my wife, and
my children. Because of them my life has been truly blessed, and I am
forever thankful we were able to stay the course.
Passing Thoughts is a syndicated weekly column written by T.W.
Winslow - read by millions around the world each week. For reprint
info, contact the author at: taddgroup@aol.com