Shakspr #3; Love's Labours Lost

[Shakspr]

What I have learned thus far through this(in no particular order):

I can't change anyone but myself. However, my words and actions do affect others. I must choose words of encouragement and life whenever possible.

God loves me. My faith in him is real, now and forevermore.

Hope can abide in the face of unbelievable trial. It still does, and if my W chooses to change, I will still be standing for our marriage for quite some time. My love for her may diminish. It will never die completely. It will be remade a new thing if she wants it and God wills it.

Complete strangers care about me because we share a common bond. We all know that this life is hard, and it is better with friends. I will seek more bonds like this in my daily life, and affirm others when they have no reason to believe that I even care.

I can not be a perfect man. But I will work from this day forward to be a very good man, and I will like myself much better when my current situation resolves. And, by then, because this world is as it is, there will be new trials and triumphs. I will be ready for them.

Grief is universal. It comes to us all eventually. It is a painful yet necessary emotion. Through it, we see that we are alive. We are human. We feel, even though we wish it not.

No one, not even the worst MLC, WAW, cheater, etc. is really "the bad guy." Behaviors are a personal choice, and they come with rewards and punishments. They are framed by the past, but happen in the present. Dispassionately examining those choices and making a decision - not a reaction - about them is a sign of maturity. It is also incredibly hard to be rational when those behaviors come from a person you trust and love.

Feelings - good and bad, Love and Indifference, Hate and Hope...live and die repeatedly throughout a life lived richly. Give the good feelings fertile ground to flourish. Weed the bad ones out when and whereever you find them.

That's it. Feel free to add to these thoughts in whatever way you choose. I affirm each of you, my brothers and sisters - you are women and men of incredible integrity. I am honored to call you my friends.