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Life Lessons. Patched Quilt.

Anyone who has recently heard me speak has heard of my Patched Quilt.  A beautiful quilt comprised of ten (10) pieces that make up the fabric of my life.  Every patch is different, each is important, and none is taken for granted.  Sometimes a patch is seemingly missing.  Sometimes it temporarily takes a backseat to other patches.  But, it’s when I incorporate all of them into my life that I feel the joy and appreciate the grace I GET to experience.   

Each patch of the Patched Quilt is a life lesson.  Those simple things that I’ve learned over the course of 65 years.  Things that have enabled me to live the life I live—DESPITE the roadblocks that sometimes get in the way.  Perhaps it’s because of those roadblocks that I GET to experience these amazing lessons, or gifts, as I choose to call them.

Different Labels–Maybe.

Depending on the group I am speaking to, the patches may be labeled differently. Nonetheless, the idea behind them remains the same.  They are tools for an amazing fulfilling life.  Here are just a few of my patches:

  1. Service – There is always someone who needs help.  It could come in the form of a smile, a kind word, an offer of help, money, and any number of other things.  And when I have a consciousness of giving, I am always able to see the need and say YES. I cannot help everyone, but I can reach out and help someone.
     
  2. Gratitude – Regardless of what is going on in my life, regardless of how sad or challenged I feel, there is always something to be grateful for.  Some days, that thing is as simple not drinking or using drugs.

  3. God – I am not one who says everyone must believe in God, or else.  That is a personal choice that we each get to make.  For a long time, I didn’t believe, but now I do.  And today, my God does not look, feel, or act like the God of many.  All I can say is once I started to grab ahold of a belief in a power greater than myself, I no longer have to carry life’s load by myself.  There is a freedom in that.

  4. Friendships – Another patch is fellowship or friendships. No doubt, I could probably function without friends—if I had to. Many folks live in isolation either by choice or as a requirement of their work.  But this patch is critical to my well-being.  While I don’t label everyone in my life “a friend,” everyone who is in my life contributes to my life.

Feel free to say hello, inquire about the other patches, or share how this post has helped you. Francine Ward, grateful human being. Esteemable Acts Twitter page, Esteemable Acts Facebook Fan Page, Google+.

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