Aha!

In seeking out who we are, we always tend to look behind us - into our childhoods, our families, and, even in our own choices.  It's as if we're expecting that "aha!" moment to jump out of our memories and be able to blame or explain all of today's current events on that one pivotal moment.  It may exist, or maybe it's something deep within ourselves.  Looking for the final puzzle piece doesn't always complete the puzzle in real life and that's frustrating.  Events that happen may change and shape us, but who we are is ultimately left up to ourselves.  Our own choices in reacting to situations, whether past or present, really make us who we are regardless of our parents, our upbringing or even who we've become.

Life is ever-changing and evolving around us and there really isn't one moment to reflect on - just billions of little moments strung together like Christmas lights.  Laying on the floor they're tangled and a mess but with some initiative to untangle and to hang them on a simple tree, you stand back and realize how breathtaking that tangled mess of lights has become.  That's what I think life is like.  If you are looking down around your feet at all of the things that make up life, it doesn't really show the true beauty but if you stand back and look up at all of those thoughts and memories hung around you, the beautiful glow of the light moments blots out the dark spaces of the tree of our lives.

The best part of our lives is that every day is a new chance to make change, take chances and create the life we want.  Embracing life without fear is the real "aha!" moment.