Experiences and Mistakes

You know, I love to do new things. When I think back on the seven decades of my life, I recognize a wanderlust that showed itself in multiple aspects of my life. Some of that attitude has admittedly been detrimental, but altogether I think my perspective of always looking for something else has been satisfying. I believe I have successfully embraced the life goal of gaining experience. I have my boundaries. For instance, I don’t care how exciting it may be to jump out of an airplane. I’ve already decided that it is an experience I don’t care to have. Admittedly, a birds-eye view of the world fascinates me, but I’m satisfied by enjoying drone type videos with a second-hand view of this beautiful world. I’ve always had an intense fear of the water and therefore have never learned to swim, but I thoroughly enjoy watching underwater videos.

I have met some great people throughout my life, and had I not been eager to explore the world outside my own four walls, that would not have happened. So, I’m glad that my life includes travel beyond the confines of my birth state or home state where I grew up. I’m delighted that I’ve been able to live in a third world country. It helped me to appreciate my life evermore. I’m glad I’ve been able to live thousands of miles from my family because it cemented in my heart the value of being close enough to see them and experience home life with them. I’m glad I’ve rubbed shoulders with people of varied ethnicities because it’s taught me that we are more alike than we are different.

I believe we are all here for a purpose, and part of that purpose is to gain experience. Some people, like me, may never experience the beauty of free flight or underwater beauty first hand. Others will not experience freedom from a tyrannical government or the comfort of a full stomach. There are too many beautiful people in this world who will never experience the freedom of travel because they are bound to a minimal area due to physical or mental disabilities. There are children born into abject poverty to families who can’t see any way out of that position, thus rearing their children to accept that fate. Some of those children will claw their way out of that stronghold. Others will become another cog in the clogging wheel of self- sufficiency demanding more and more of what they think they can’t earn for themselves. Of course, there are those born into life holding the proverbial silver spoon. Sometimes, they learn to do what they can to ease the burdens of others, grateful for their privileges. Many others become more greedy and look for ways to take advantage of and get gain.

I don’t know how much more time I have to gain experience. I heard recently that people in my age range refer to our life’s mistakes as experiences, and I suppose that may be true. I have had some experiences I certainly don’t want to repeat. Altogether, my life has been relatively easy. I’ve had things happen to me that I never want to relive. I’ve known people who were not kind. I’ve been in places to which I will not go back. I’ve trusted people I should not have believed.

On the other hand, I’ve experienced true love and real friendship. I’ve raised four people who are terrific and who positively contribute to humanity. I take great pride in knowing my contribution is good for the world. I’m comfortable and content right now, but I know I’m not finished with what I can experience in this world or with what I can contribute to this world. Life is fantastic and I’m thankful to be here. I’m grateful for my life as a citizen of the United States of America. This country is going through a metamorphosis right now. I hope we come out on top. I’m thankful to know I am a daughter of Heavenly Parents, and I am here as part of a bigger plan I will not fully understand until my passing. I’m thankful to have been born at a time where my life can experience technology. It makes me appreciate all the more those who have gone before me.

I stand in awe of and take off my proverbial hat to my pioneer ancestors for their sacrifices. I have a phone that allows me to talk to my loved ones literally with the touch of a button, and I can even see them on the screen while doing so. I learned to type on a manual typewriter, so I am thankful for the smooth touch of a keyboard. I can make my thoughts appear within microseconds on a screen and then go back and correct my mistakes using an automated system that points out grammatical and spelling errors. I remember the days when I typed things using multiple carbon copies. If I made a mistake, I had to either start over or try to erase those mistakes with weird little erasers or a correction fluid that never really did the job satisfactorily. There are so many things I could list that are better now, so instead, I’ll say I like it here, and I love life as it is now, and I hope I can make the most of my limited scope of influence in my remaining years.