Time heals

3. Time heals almost everything. Give it time.

   
       I know I've heard this bit of wisdom my entire life and have accepted it as true. Life offers many experiences so I don't want to offend anyone who has suffered a tragic loss with a cliche' about changing your thoughts or just "giving it time".  I did see a beautiful post on Facebook today. "The only people who think there's a time limit for grief, have never lost a piece of their heart. Take all the time you need. No rule book. No time frame. No judgements. Grief is as individual as a fingerprint. Do what is right for your soul."

That being said, in most instances, time really is our friend ( if we embrace it) as it allows us to see things from a different perspective. When we are in the midst of turmoil, disappointment or unmet expectations it can be very difficult to put a rosy spin on the situation but with practice and commitment we can change our views to allow for a bigger perception of things.  Time also offers distance from the troubling event so it's not so raw as well as enabling us a period of growth.

     In my experience when I give something a few weeks, days or hours to just be, often the circumstance isn't nearly as troubling. A recent encounter was an example about how time can work its magic. I was with my daughter when I ran into a past neighbor I hadn't seen in about 25 years. Her interactions with me and my family had always been an enigma. I couldn't understand how she could be so angry and hateful to us. It was very hurtful and even though I loved our home, it tainted my experience of the neighborhood. We moved a couple of years later and raised our family a short distance away in a home we've enjoyed for 24 years. While on an errand,  I immediately recognized this person and extended a friendly greeting introducing my daughter (now an adult.) We exchanged pleasantries and went about our business. As we were walking to the car my daughter surprised me with her comment, "Wasn't that the woman who was so mean?" I could hardly believe she remembered her. She was only 5 or 6 when we lived there.

     The point of this example is that time did heal. I was pleased to see this woman and even happier that I felt no ill feelings. I had changed my thoughts many years ago. Whatever she was projecting onto me had nothing to do with me and more to do with what was going on with her at that point in her life.
Time had allowed me a period of reflection, growth and perspective. Maybe this life pointer is akin to the saying, "This too shall pass." Enjoy your day!