I recently heard a speaker comment that she “used” to have a lot of high-paying jobs. She “used” to share the stage with the biggest names. She “used” to travel all the time. With the economy collapsing, things just aren’t what they “used” to be for her.
We can obsess over our “I used to” statements. I used to weigh less and not have a belly. I didn’t have gray hair before. I used to be and do a lot of things.
I used to go to high school, be a pom-pom girl, and work at a fast food restaurant. Those shaped me, but not where I want to be again.
I used to be a mom of little boys. As much as it was a joy, life with college kids is an even deeper joy.
The progression of life is its beauty.
I used to be afraid of speaking in front of groups. Now, I come alive when I present. I used to not eat seafood, Mexican or Chinese food. I am grateful that my palate has expanded. It made me nervous to walk into a room full of people where I didn’t know anyone. Well, I’m still a little nervous about doing that, but I remind myself to relax and know that the room is full of wonderful people and it’s not my job to impress anyone.
I used to think that’s what people were all about: trying to impress. Now I know that we all just want to express ourselves and sometimes we don’t know how. But we are too cowardly. I used to be a chicken to do a lot of things. Now I’ve ziplined, ocean kayaked, and hang glided.
I used to be someone who had never been on a plane. Now I travel everywhere and I love it. I used to be someone who worked at the IRS and thought life was just one big to-do list before you die.
I used to think a lot of things. Earth people used to think that the world was flat. We used to think that man would never go to the moon, and now there are plans to send people to Mars. We used to think…
He collected Beanie Babies, jingle bells, and tea sets. He used to think that people with tattoos were just for bikers. She used to have soft drinks for breakfast. I used to refuse to sing karaoke.
What are some of your “users”? Are you glad you got rid of some of them?
I used to put other people’s opinions of me above my own. I used to defer my decisions to others. I used to not speak up and say my point of view because I was always the good girl. I used to…
He used to drive a minivan. I used to drive a smart car. I used to wear a tiara while driving my smart car.
I used to have fun. And thank God, I still do. He was never the first to walk out onto an empty dance floor.
We are all a compilation of our “users”. Be grateful for all that has been. Be grateful for all that is now. That is the thread that remains. If you find that your life has gone downhill, ask yourself, “Did I used to be grateful?” Get that back and you’ll be fine, regardless of your used-things list.
(See if you can add this: I USED to worry!)
(Kelly Epperson Simmons is an author/speaker/trainer who used to color paint by numbers as a child. To work with Kelly, email [email protected] or call toll-free 888-637-3563.)