A 50th High School Reunion

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Hello and Good Day. Hope You have been doing well and making the most of your days. As always, greatly appreciate You taking the time to stop by and read my articles.

In my 15th article; ‘Looking Through My Rear View Mirror,’ (September 27, 2023), I was reminded just as we look to the rear view mirror when driving to observe what might be approaching us, we often fall victim to reflecting upon our past rather than the life ahead.

This September we will be celebrating our 50th High School Class Reunion! Indeed, it is difficult to believe it’s been 50 years since the “glory days of high school!” However, as I sit here today writing this article, it was a life-time ago!

I was asked by our Class Reunion Team if I had (any) class photos of the grade school years from the parochial school I attended along with a few other of my classmates which would be added to the class photos from the public grade schools classes that collectively made up our high school class.

That request allowed me to look through the collection of photos, report cards, newspaper clippings of my basketball games through the years, letters and other memorabilia my Mother had collected and received from others through the years and placed in a folder. I could not help myself from taking that “trip down memory lane” -and- looking in the rear view mirror.

It’s easy to look back and question our decisions. We can’t blame ourself for not knowing back then what we know now. And the truth is, we made each decision for a reason based on how we were feeling at the time. Maybe the person we are now would have done things differently back then -or- maybe, just maybe, we are the person we are now because of the decisions we make back then?

In his book, The Surrender Experiment , Michael Singer, (2015), writes; “…inspiring to look back and see how a handful of moments in your life define your destiny. What if life had presented those moments to you, or if you had interacted with them differently? Over time, everything would be different.”

If we pause, we could recall “a handful of moments” which if we had handled differently, accepted or not accepted, our life would not be the same as we have today.

I am not making this reference as a means for You to assess the “what if.” As You transition within various phases of your life, don’t slow down, but rather, make every moment count.

Our life should be about choosing to live within each day’s moment, fostering habits that keep us healthy, active and happy to create a better version of our ourself!

We are destined to live our life and its the journey in our life we should value and gain from all the experiences, lessons and moments we live much like working a puzzle; take the pieces and arrange them as You see fit.

As I sat there reliving those years as I sifted through all the papers & photos 50 years later, I did not think; where did that time go? No, I wondered if I had made the most of my time during those years with the people, the moments, the experiences… I have to say, that I did for the most part -and- I am extremely grateful as hell for Everyone and Everything! When I did not, it was because I was intimated to what may happen to change my course at that time or the relationship.

During my first three years of this Encore phase of my life, I am truly blessed to be discovering it’s time to be my best, live my best life -and- live with renewed energy… Living purposefully, is all about bringing your best self to what matters most.

I am not certain this fits exactly with the article I have written. However, when working out the other day, this song from Ziggy Marley played from my song list shuffle; ‘Be True To Myself’ -and- I would like to leave You with the lyrics:

“Life has come a long way since yesterday, I say
And its not the same old thing over again, I say
Just do what you feel and don’t you fool yourself, I say
‘Cause I can’t make you happy unless, I am I say I say I

Got to be true to myself
Got to be true to myself
Got to be true to myself
Got to be true to myself

Day in day out I’ve asked many questions, I say
Only to find the truth it never changes, I say
If you don’t deal with it it keeps killing you a little by little, I say
Call me selfish if you will my life I alone can live, I say I say I

Got to be true to myself
Got to be true to myself
Got to be true to myself (in a way all)
Got to be true to myself

I don’t care if it hurts
I’m tired of lies and all these games
I’ve reached a point in life no longer can I be this way
Don’t come crying to me I too have shed my share of tears
I’m moving on yes I’m grooving on well I’m finally free I’ve

Got to be true to myself
Got to be true to myself
Got to be true to myself
Got to be true to myself

Got to be true
Got to be true
Got to be true to myself (in a way all)

Got to be true
Got to be true
Got to be true to myself”

And always remember to; “Never quit searching, never settle and never give up seeking your greater purpose!“