Saturday, April 30, 2011

(Z) Zuzu's Petals


We are all familiar with the great classic movie, "It's A Wonderful Life".


Every Christmas holiday my family curls up near the tree with a bowl of popcorn and a box of tissue. And then we act as though we've never seen George Baily before- or felt that familiar twinge of wishing we had a "do-over"...of wondering what life would be like if our choices had been different.


There are still parts of ordinary days when I have regrets - mostly about the things I didn't do. What if I had finished college? Pursued my writing or art? Put off marriage and raising a family? Started a healthy lifestyle years ago? Saved my money wisely?


But, yet, I know that all my choices overlap... that they are pieces of a bigger puzzle,woven tightly into my happiness and my well-being... that my experiences are layers of lessons that make me who I am today.


I think we always assume that given the opportunity, a "do-over" would bring nothing but a more desirable outcome. We rarely imagine that changing the past might offer us only heartache and struggle.


But we'll never truly know.


That's why we should embrace every day. Don't wait till it's over to do the things you want to do. Take chances. Be bold. Reach out. Dance.
You lose 24 hours of your life everyday. It gets shorter, older, less full of energy and power.
And you've only got one chance at it.


It took George Bailey a trip back in time to be grateful for the present.And he came to realize that there will always be struggles, misfortune, and unfinished dreams.


Feeling Zuzu's petals in his pocket made him aware of the moment. The now. The chance to make this day better. He suddenly knew that nothing is sweeter than family and friends and the reality of new possibilities.


So-
Hold tightly to your Zuzu petals. 
Grasp the moment.
Be happy. 
Sing. 
Fly.
Don't live in regret, but rejoice in today.
Because after all, it is a wonderful life!

12 comments:

sisterlinda said...

I believe, that at one time or another, all of us wish we could go back in time, and redo it. Change a few things.

It would be great to travel back in time and undo the wrongs and mistakes. To take back the hurt you might have caused someone.

The past makes us who we are today.We learn from our mistakes and failures. It makes us who we are.

I like who I am.....Lord knows I made many a mistake and had many failures but those were all lessons learned and makes me who I am.

I will hold those zuzu petals and enjoy each and everyday. I have regrets but I cannot do much about that....so I will grasp each moment,sing,be happy and rejoice in the day!

Anonymous said...

Got the petals firmly clenched in my hand, but, if I COULD go back.....

Joanne said...

As soon as I saw the title of you post I knew what it was. Thats one of my favorite movies of all time. What a great heartfelt post! I loved it and it is soooo true! Thank you for this. great job on "Z"! Blessings, Joanne

Sherrie said...

Hi!
Everything you said is so true. Cherish the ones you love and live each day as if it's your last. Have a great day!

Sherrie
Just Books

Elizabeth Mueller said...

Rae, we did it! Congratulations! I have an award for you!!

Tracy said...

WOW!!! That was a lovely post and so true!
I enjoyed that very much; thank you!

PK HREZO said...

Hi there. Nice to meet you. I love your colorful blog. And I love your words of wisdom. We watch that movie every year too. It's so wasteful being sad for our choices of the past.
I think it's when we learn to be happy with what we have that we truly find peace with ourselves and peace with God.

Gail Wilson said...

I keep Zuzu's petals close to my heart always. Of course There are moments I would like to do a do over but if I did I would not have my wonderful son. So I am happy with my life and so full of love and joy for my life and husband that I would not change a thing. As Garth sang..."Thank God for unanswered prayers"!!
Hugs, Gail

Margaret Hall said...

Congratulations, Rae, my friend, for your Z posting and with such a lovely remembrance...Holding tightly to the petals, dearheart..
And, we made it, Kiddo...Now I think I will get a "game plan" set up for some gardening and some artsy/crafty nonsense..lol...
I will be over to visit whenever you post, just leave the side door open and the teakettle on...K???
Hugs, Just me

Theresa Wiza said...

I didn't think anybody else would write about ZuZu's Petals for the A-Z Challenge. I did too! Here: http://myheartblogstoyou.blogspot.com/

Joann Mannix said...

Oh, Rae, I miss you!

I hope to be back soon, and it's posts like these that make me miss the blog world.

I'm bad at being in the moment, but I have this husband who preaches that to me every day. He is my ZuZu's petals. And I am so very grateful that he's there, reminding me.

This was a beautiful post. We all have a destiny. It's how we live that destiny that makes the difference.

Jan Morrison said...

Rae - I'm glad to have met you over the last month and I LOVE this post. You're a terrific writer and my kinda gal. See you around the water cooler!