Happily Ever After

I was watching a story about a widow who had recently lost her husband of many years and during the interview she spoke tenderly about how they met and how their families did not foresee them getting married to each other when they were younger.  Like in many instances when parents want to exert their influence over whom the proper bride or groom should be for their beloved child, they ultimately want only the best for their offspring.  However, history has shown that what children want versus what a parent desires can be two very different things, in particular when it comes to matters of the heart.  The story of this person was no different and she did marry the love of her life, while proceeding to share a wonderful number of years together despite the obstacles which were part of their marriage.  When you recall the many unlikely couples through the course of time which may have been destined for failure, I think the more surprising number is of the many who did not make the headlines while going against the wishes of family and standing the test of time.  I thought about those families who spent years in a bitter feud or harboring resentment as a result of these types of situations, which was ultimately saddening that people are subjected to this negative draining energy and it could have been put to rest many years prior.  Think about how much stamina it can take to carry on in this manner day in and day out.  I am firm believer that it takes a huge amount of effort to consistently harbor negative emotions and when the stillness of night comes, those individuals may find it difficult to sleep given the lack of peace in their lives.  It can be challenging to stand up for one's principles, however, those with the courage to do so find that not carrying that large weight on their shoulders releases them from impassioned burdens.  We can all applaud those that stood up for what was right and as such, we should continue to champion the efforts of those who face scrutiny in the midst of them finding their true love.  For the many folks which decided to not pay attention to the opinions of the rest of the family, friends or other connected group, my hat is off to them.  I personally have known many individuals who were part of feud legacy which in some cases was created by the people which came before them.  It is interesting in retrospect how some folks hold on to the resentment of others without fully realizing why they were still doing so after many years.  To this, I heard a great quote in an interview recently, where someone stated that sometimes a journey which began a long time ago, must be concluded by the next generation.  For me, this came full circle in that the new generation has the capacity to end an old misunderstanding or ill feelings which have made their way to their present day living.  The opportunity to finally put an end to something which can bring peace of mind and release a heavy sentimental strain is worth it in paving a positive future ahead.  Whether the expectations of your prior generation came with legacy issues, it is up to you to determine what your next steps and future will look like.  My suggestion is that you paint the picture of the life you would like to see and be part of, with those individuals who add value to you and let go of things that no longer serve your best interest.  My wish is that your final chapter is filled with only the good things you cherish in order to meet your best expectations for a bright future ahead.  Hopefully, your tale will also end with a happily ever conclusion along with joy, peace and harmony as part of the closing credits.