Every. Single. Person.

Lately I've been thinking about how people affect your life. Every single person you have ever known has affected your life in a positive way. I know, many of you may disagree, and contradict me to let me know there is a list of people you could have done without. Maybe. Maybe they didn't have a great role in your life at the time. Maybe they hurt you. Maybe they wasted your time. Yet I am willing to bet that if you think about it, each one of those people served some sort of purpose. Even if that purpose was to waste your time. While your time was being wasted you learned patience. Amongst other things.

While you were getting hurt you learned a lesson. Maybe you didn't learn your lesson the first time, and you needed to learn it again and again. Who knows. Maybe you are slow like me. Maybe that friend who wasn't really a friend taught you to be more selective with the people you trust. Maybe she let you down so many times you became self reliant. Maybe she was late enough times to help you realize how important punctuality really is.

It is easy to remember all the wonderful things that have happened and how they have changed you. But it is hard to see the beauty within the difficult, painful, annoying and downright maddening. All of those things helped teach you something. And I don’t necessarily mean about other people, or the situations in which things occurred, but rather about yourself. Besides, all of these things are in the past. They are no longer bad experiences, they are just memories. Harmless memories that have created who you are.

And there is never anything wrong with that.
Peg People by Craft Supply House via Etsy

Comments

  1. Just TApril 1, 2013 at 11:51 AM

    This is so true. It took me SO many years to see that the truly horrific things in my life did serve a purpose and as crazy as it sounds, made me a stronger person. If you would have asked me that 10 years ago, I would have disagreed. I firmly believe that your life is what you make of it.

    ReplyDelete
  2. AmberApril 1, 2013 at 3:10 PM

    Janet this is beautifully written. Very thought provoking.

    ReplyDelete
  3. SadieApril 1, 2013 at 4:17 PM

    So true. And something we all definitely need to be reminded of occasionally...It helps take the sting from some of those more painful encounters/experiences.

    ReplyDelete
  4. ChickenpigApril 2, 2013 at 8:45 AM

    Very true. It is just hard to remember that in the moment.

    ReplyDelete
  5. JustMeApril 2, 2013 at 12:41 PM

    I love your posts. They always make me think. Which is hard to do in the mornings...

    ReplyDelete
  6. MariaApril 5, 2013 at 4:55 PM

    Oh, I love love love this post. It is so true and honest. There have been so many people in my life that may not still be in it, but taught me a lesson.
    You are a beautiful writer and person.
    Xoxox

    ReplyDelete

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