We’ve all been there. At some point in our lives, we’ve lost something good. Whether it was a relationship, a job, or an experience, letting go is never easy. I recently realized something that changed my perspective. I hope this idea resonates with you.
My husband, Jer, and I recently wrapped up a two-week camping trip where we spent half of our time in the Superior National Forest and the other half on Lake Superior’s North Shore. This area of Minnesota is very special to Jer and I. We first visited this area the year we were married and that trip sparked an obsession with exploring this magical place. It’s a place full of memories and a place that renews our souls.
During the last leg of our trip, we enjoyed a gorgeous campsite overlooking the greatest of the Great Lakes. As we broke down camp, I was overcome with sadness. I couldn’t bear to leave this beautiful place.
My sadness confused me. I enjoy my life and am grateful for all that we have experienced. We have been very intentional about creating this life and it gets better each year. Am I not grateful enough? Why was I feeling like this?
Not long ago, a vacation coming to an end meant something very different. I thought about our last trip before I left the corporate world. Three nights before we were scheduled to leave, I began having terrible nightmares about work. I actually looked for an apartment and told Jer I wasn’t going home.
That’s not the case anymore. We both enjoy each day and love what we do. We even spend time working while on vacation. I struggled to understand why this was so hard.
In an effort to console myself, I thought about the Dr. Seuss quote, “Don’t cry because it’s over, smile because it happened.” That didn’t help. So I shared my feelings with Jer. We discussed why I felt conflicted, what would make it easier, and what’s next. We discussed our long-term dreams and plans.
Then it hit me. There’s so much more that we want to see and do. And the next adventure can’t begin until this one comes to an end. I thought about all of the things in my life that ended and the possibilities they made room for.
That’s exactly what happened. On our somewhat somber drive down the majestic shoreline, we happened upon a newly reopened black beach we had never been to before. It was beautiful and a special experience for us both. We would not have found this place had we not let our adventure come to an end.
The next time you’re faced with a good thing ending, “don’t cry because it’s over, smile because it happened.” Dream about the new adventures that are waiting to begin. On your journey to freedom, sometimes you must let go of a good thing to make room for something great. Take risks, take action, venture into the unknown.
When have you had something great come to an end, later to find that it was making room for something better?
Share in the comments below.
In 2011, my husband and I opened a business in WV. We poured our life savings into it and took out a half mil in loans. It seemed God was telling us to do this, and we were ecstatic about bringing entertainment and jobs into a very depressed area. I actually told my husband I would give up my art career to do this with him, and I did for a few years as we prepared. The business failed and we closed in 6 months! We lost it all, and limped back to VA to try and put together our shattered lives. It was then that God gave me the art and book project I’m working on now. It was then that Jim got active in mission work with his son’s Christian foundation, both of which we’d never have done if the business had flourished. A good thing we tried to do ended with better things we are doing now!
Oh wow, I so feel this! It was HARD to leave Costa Rica last year after being there for a month. I still get homesick seeing the pictures from our time there. A part of me is there and it’s crazy how in one month I so fell in love with a place to call it “home”. But we knew it wasn’t time to move, and there was so much more to explore that we haven’t. Thus launched our plans for RVing the States, and it’s finally becoming a reality – we launch this weekend!!! Ack!! 🙂 I can’t wait for what is in store for us, and know that we will go back to CR again, with many more adventures under our belts in the meantime!
Jean,
Thank you SO much for sharing your story. I can’t imagine how painful that experience was for you and your husband. I am sorry you had to experience that.
At the same time, it’s inspiring to see what has come out of your experience. It’s just the beginning of these new journies and I imagine the best things are yet to come. I think there’s a lot of interesting opportunities with your new project. You could take this to women’s groups worldwide. What an exciting opportunity and adventure that as you said, never would have come about had the business flourished.
Again, thank you for sharing your story. You set a great example for us all! <3
Ashley,
Congrats on launching your RV trip! That’s so exciting. I can’t wait to read about all of the amazing places you’ll go to. I’ll be taking notes. 😀
I love the way that you explained the feeling of “home.” That’s exactly how I feel on the North Shore. So much so that I told Jer we should sell our house, move to Tofte, MN, work at the State Parks during the summer, and live in Mexico in the winter. 😉 He didn’t think that was a good long term plan. But oh, the feeling I have there is indescribable. I also have that feeling in Hawaii. We got married there, so it’s become our hometown of sorts.
But you’re right, there is SO MUCH more to explore! And I for one am not ready to settle on one place, just yet.
Thanks for commenting and being an inspiration to take the path less traveled. Experiences are more precious that gold. I life full of experience is a life well lived. <3
I have been in a boarding school for 4 years, basically 1/4 of my life. I entered as young innocent boy, aiming for something big. I only saw my family over the weekends and I never realised how attached I grew to boarding life with friends. Over the years I grew, matured and became more independent. But I never realised how much this meant to me, I always was looking forward to leave and start anew, thinking I would be joyous to finally leave.
Now I’m in my final year here, and looking back, I started breaking down. I looked at my juniors who have just joined and myself when I had just joined 3 years ago. I missed everything. I miss all the life-changing experiences, the sufferings I endured with my friends. And I whispered under my breath, “Don’t waste it, cherish it.” In a few weeks time, it would be the last time I check-out of boarding, and I can already anticipate a whole night of crying. I will miss the late night shenanigans, the week-long camps we did, the moments we shared. They became my family, and I will miss them forever.
A lot of wisdom right there … Don’t waste it, cherish it! There are exciting adventures ahead and these memories you’ll always cherish. Moving on is never easy at the time. Best wishes for a smooth transition to whatever comes next!