“If you want to keep your memories, you first have to live them.”
– Bob Dylan (1941) American songwriter, singer
Living your dreams is not easy. It takes a lot of courage and pluck to turn a thought into an action that turns into a dream that becomes a reality. And dream has a way of changing, and turning and evolving. You can’t control destiny, but you can control how you live during the journey to your goals.
“There is only one way to happiness and that is to cease worrying about things which are beyond the power of our will.”
– Epictetus (55AD – 135AD) Stoic philosopher
After the great Northridge Earthquake in Los Angeles in 1991, I decided that I would not worry about things that were out of my control. Yes, I do worry about what is in my control, but the rest I have given up on. I can’t control an earthquake and many other things in life, so I just stay vigilant and strong and try to live in the moment.
“I am not bound to win, but I am bound to be true. I am not bound to succeed, but I am bound to live by the light that I have.”
– Abraham Lincoln (1809 – 1865) 16th President of the United States
If I win and lose myself, what have I gained? If I succeed and am in darkness, what have I earned? I may not always win 1st place, but I am a winner in the joy I have in doing my best, meeting and exceeding my goals and expectations. I don’t cry if I don’t break the ribbon at the finish line. I rejoice in the fact that I am running, finishing the race, and that I loved running the course and enjoyed the other runners on the way.
“Courage is grace under pressure.”
– Ernest Hemingway (1899 – 1961) American Writer
I hope I have some grace in my life. Not just the grace that God has given and continues to give to me daily, but the grace that says “Thank You” “I appreciate you”
“I need you” and giving the praise to others in life. I think that I have great courage that is fortified with wisdom and courage. I certainly have the pressure in my life so I hope to be a man of character and keep my cool when the days get rough.
“The four cornerstones of character on which this nation was built are: Initiative, Imagination, Individuality and Independence.”
– Eddie Rickenbacker (1890 – 1973) American Aviator and Business Executive
My father, Troy Woodbury, gave me the key to having initiative. My mom, J. Clair, gave me the imagination in my life and my individuality, and mom my independence. I thank my parents every day for giving me the best parts of their lifes and that they continue to guide and inspire me from their heavenly homes together again.
“I can’t do it” never yet accomplished anything: “I will try” has accomplished wonders.”
– George P. Burnham (1868 – 1939) Politician
I would hate to tell you that I am blamer, or that I sometimes say I can’t do something. I would never tell you that sometimes I give up, so I won’t. But I will tell you, that on my good days, I can see that I can do it all in my life and that the best is still yet to come. I have much more to do, accomplish, give, and experience in my life. I will admit that I say that I will try, and I do, and often accomplish many great things in my life.
I’m busy making the memories that I want to keep, and living in the moment and loving the path of life, the lessons learned, and the rich rewards that I experience along the way.
As always, I wish you, the reader, hope, peace, guidance and always the presence of light and living water daily.
Thanks for reading!
David Earl Woodbury
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