• Skip to primary navigation
  • Skip to main content
  • Skip to footer
Marla Deen

Marla Deen

Finding ways to fit it all in each day . . .being fit, being healthy, enjoying BEING each day !

  • Home
  • Blog
    • Blog Archives
  • About Marla-Deen
  • MD Mats
  • Shop
  • Contact Us
  • Videos
    • Video Bundle #1
    • 30 Minute Arm and Abs
  • Login/My Account

Seasons Change as Do Our Adjectives

September 28, 2014 by Marla-Deen Brooks 1 Comment

Print Friendly, PDF & Email
Picture

As I’ve grown I’ve seen lots of changes around me.  I see changes in the people around me and the places I have been.  I also see a lot of changes in myself.  Life brings change and those life experiences change us.  Some changes are good, others not so good, and other changes are just natural occurrences as we go through different seasons and grow.

I look back on myself as a young teenager and sometimes wonder who that was.  I would describe myself as silly (which my Daddy hated!) and light-hearted and extremely blessed.  I changed gradually growing up.  Going through college gave me experiences and brought new people to my life and opened my world.  Traveling opened my mind and broadened my experiences.  Sitting through three years of law school classes certainly thickened my skin.  I still shudder thinking about the time my Tax professor grilled me for an answer I had absolutely no idea how to give.  I left the classroom in tears of shame and embarrassment. I was too afraid to ask questions or for help.   My first job made me become responsible, budget conscience and unafraid to ask questions.  My second job initiated me by fire by forcing  me right into the courtroom and in front of a judge.  It also took me to prisons throughout the state where I saw and learned a whole other side of life.  I became so sympathetic  and wanted badly to help some of these folks and undo some wrongs done to them, but also unsympathetic and jaded toward others.  

Marriage was another big changer.  Living with another person definitely changes a person.  Learning to navigate ups and downs, moods, temperaments, habits and not kill each other is a huge never-ending lesson.  Wife is an adjective in itself!  Becoming a mother was one of the biggest, heartwarming, painful and gut-wrenching changes in life.  I’ve learned to survive on no sleep, the art of patience, the power and exhaustion of tough love, the beauty of a hug, and how to handle the constant stream of dirty socks, empty refrigerators and never-ending worry.  I’ve also seen changes in just how The Husband and I parent with each child and as our boys grow.  I feel as if it’s a constant education and evolution.  There are so, so many adjectives to describe being a mother.  Endless adjectives.  

I’ve seen change come to my friends by way of illness, death and life events.   I have hated seeing some of the changes happen to my friends and family and being completely unable to help them.  These events change my friends.  Maybe they become stronger, more faithful, maybe bitter and beaten down or seasoned, experienced and wise.   There have also been second chances, new births, opportunities and new life experiences that bring change.  Often people become more thankful, gracious, appreciative.  These can be such good changes to see!

I was talking with someone about life’s changes this week.  This person had, until recently, been relatively untouched by any major life event.  This person made the comment that until you had something happen to you “you just really didn’t get it.”  Life touches people differently at different times.  Joyous times come and, unfortunately, tumultuous times may come, as well as sadness.  It struck me that I absolutely “got it” and so empathized with this friend.   I have been thinking  about how people become changed and how the the adjectives that describe them also changes.  


Personally, I have become a different person than I was three years ago.  Losing my three family members in three years has changed me in many ways.  One of the biggest things I know about myself now is that I have gained so much more empathy for other people and their loss or pain.  Empathetic is one of the best adjectives I have for myself.  I want to wrap other people in my arms, send them words of comfort and just listen with my heart.  I can so feel other people’s pain in a way now that I just couldn’t experience earlier.  

I have tried not to let loss and grief define me and stay sad,  angry and bitter.  With time I have learned to handle the sad moments, the punch in your gut times and loneliness better.  I want the changes in me to be for the better and for some good.  I can’t help the overwhelming hurt in my heart when I hear about another  person’s loss or pain.  I hope this is a good and healthy change in me and that this new adjective finds its purpose.  I know that other changes will come as well as new adjectives.  I just hope they will be positive ones. . . . like strong, spirited, fun, kind, giving, fabulous mother-in-law, crazy grandmother. . . you get the idea!

What adjective describes you?  How have those adjectives changed?  What changes have you had that have changed your adjectives?

Picture

Filed Under: General Post

Reader Interactions

Comments

  1. Marie Rossiter says

    October 3, 2014 at 8:20 am

    What a beautiful reflection. It takes a great deal of honesty and courage to share like you have in this post.
    As for describing myself, I would have to say evolving. I am in the process of letting go a lot of the hurt feelings and resentment from my past and moving toward living in and appreciating the moment as it happens.
    You’ve motivated me to do a similar reflection piece on my blog. I think it may be exactly what I need to take a big step forward.
    Thank you for sharing your words, your thoughts and yourself!

    Reply

Leave a Reply Cancel reply

Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked *

This site uses Akismet to reduce spam. Learn how your comment data is processed.

Footer

Subscribe

* = required field

powered by MailChimp!
Privacy Policy

Photographer: Deborah Celecia Wagoner – www.dcw-photo.com

Search

© Copyright 2018-2021 · All Rights Reserved · Website by TecAdvocates

This website uses cookies to improve your experience. We'll assume you're ok with this, but you can opt-out if you wish.Accept Read More
Privacy & Cookies Policy

Privacy Overview

This website uses cookies to improve your experience while you navigate through the website. Out of these, the cookies that are categorized as necessary are stored on your browser as they are essential for the working of basic functionalities of the website. We also use third-party cookies that help us analyze and understand how you use this website. These cookies will be stored in your browser only with your consent. You also have the option to opt-out of these cookies. But opting out of some of these cookies may affect your browsing experience.
Necessary
Always Enabled

Necessary cookies are absolutely essential for the website to function properly. This category only includes cookies that ensures basic functionalities and security features of the website. These cookies do not store any personal information.

Non-necessary

Any cookies that may not be particularly necessary for the website to function and is used specifically to collect user personal data via analytics, ads, other embedded contents are termed as non-necessary cookies. It is mandatory to procure user consent prior to running these cookies on your website.