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“When in doubt, choose change.” – Lily Leung

I haven’t written a blog post in over four months. I haven’t written consistently for nearly a year. If you’re still here, I thank you and I feel I owe you an explanation, a reason behind my absence, and inconsistency.

The title of this post gives a clue.

“When in doubt, choose change.”  Lily Leung

I’ve undergone major life changes: Divorce. Selling our beloved family home of 18 years. Moving into a rental/storage unit for 6 months. Buying and moving into a new home. Yeah, basically starting over.

“Getting over a painful experience is much like crossing monkey bars. You have to let go at some point in order to move forward.”  C.S. Lewis

I am the one who filed for divorce, but that doesn’t mean it wasn’t heartbreaking. Dave and I had been together for 35 years and married for 32 of those. I’d struggled with making that move for way too many of those years. I don’t usually live my life coming from a place of fear, this was the exception.

“The greatest mistake you can make in life is to be continually fearing you will make one.” Elbert Hubbard

“Taking a new step, uttering a new word, is what people fear most.”  Fyodor Dostoyevsky

The longer I held on, the more unhappy and resentful I became. The thought of “being alone” was not the fear, it was the crippling fear of hurting those I love and the sorrow of letting go of the life I’d, we’d, planned. Fortunately, it was an amicable divorce.

“We must be willing to let go of the life we’ve planned, so as to have the life that is waiting for us.” ~ Joseph Campbell
“Life is a series of natural and spontaneous changes. Don’t resist them – that only creates sorrow. Let reality be reality. Let things flow naturally forward in whatever way they like.” – Lao Tzu
I still struggle with sorrow, hurt, and loss. But I also have so much hope, and I’m steadfastly working on my new life plan. It has begun with this new home. It takes a lot to move into a new home, something I never gave a thought to. We had to pack everything, decide what to keep and what to leave behind, and with that came emotional turmoil. Every object reminded me of memories connected to it.
Though now we are here, all settled! It truly feels like home, and I am very content and happy here.
“The best way to get rid of the pain is to feel the pain. And when you feel the pain and go beyond it, you’ll see there’s a very intense love that is wanting to awaken itself.” Deepak Chopra

“Sometimes good things fall apart so better things can fall together.”  Marilyn Monroe

So there you have it. This is where I’ve been and now I’m figuring out where I’m going.

Later this week, I’ll share my new home and my new backyard project with you. Soon after that, we’ll get back to cooking!

Again, I thank you for sticking in there and coming back to Les Petites Gourmettes. I hope you have enjoyed all these amazing quotes and if you’re in need of inspiration, that they have given you a little strength or boost. They inspire me.

“Destiny is not a matter of chance; it is a matter of choice. It is not a thing to be waited for, it is a thing to be achieved.”  William Jennings Bryan

“The dream breaks into a million tiny pieces. The dream dies. Which leaves you with a choice: you can settle for reality, or you can go off, like a fool, and dream another dream.”  Nora Ephron
“Nothing in the universe can stop you from letting go and starting over.” ~ Guy Finley
And possibly my favorite of them all – because it defines the human condition.

“When things are bad, we take comfort in the thought that they could always get worse. And when they are, we find hope in the thought that things are so bad they have to get better.”  Malcolm S. Forbes

xoxo
Linda

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16 comments

1 barbara fenzl { 03.20.18 at 9:44 AM }

Wow, powerful stuff, and thanks for sharing your journey and all the amazing, inspiring quotes. You are a strong woman, my dear, and I’m so grateful you’re part of my life. Much love –

2 Betsy Storey { 03.20.18 at 9:45 AM }

praying for you as you move forward- welcome back to blogging world !

3 Betsy Storey { 03.20.18 at 9:46 AM }

love the quotes and will save them

4 Teresa { 03.20.18 at 9:55 AM }

Linda, I’m so glad you’re writing again. You and your quotes do inspire me! Can’t wait to see more. Love you Mucho!

5 Karen Cady { 03.20.18 at 10:14 AM }

I am so sorry to hear about your struggles. Knowing your children, I am sure that it was a very difficult decision for you to make. You future looks bright and your mind and heart are strong. I am looking forward to more of your posts. God Bless!

6 Laura Mackey { 03.20.18 at 10:27 AM }

Hope you find bliss in your new beginning. So enjoy all the powerful quotes. Sending lots of love your way.
Love, Laura

7 Sue Robinson { 03.20.18 at 10:28 AM }

Sorry for all your sorrows but happy to see you back in action. Love all the quotes- they apply to so many different situations. Best of everything to you from a longtime fan.

8 Sheila { 03.20.18 at 11:08 AM }

Onward, with much love and happiness

9 Ginger { 03.20.18 at 11:16 AM }

Linda, I love your quotes. I am sorry you have had the struggles, but I know your future will be very bright. I am glad you are back blogging again. Thinking of you often.

10 Sloane Ellen Hansen { 03.20.18 at 2:16 PM }

Your strength and determination are awe inspiring! Welcome to part deux! You got this….you always did!

11 Renee { 03.20.18 at 5:24 PM }

Beautiful! Can’t wait to meet my sisters sister.

12 Amy { 03.20.18 at 5:53 PM }

Linda, So good to see you are back in action. Hugs to you as you go forward with your new life! And thanks for sharing those wonderful thoughts on life!

13 Linda Hopkins { 03.20.18 at 8:50 PM }

Beautiful ladies, thank you all so very much for the love and encouragement. I means everything to me!

14 Rita Dickinson { 03.20.18 at 9:16 PM }

What Barbara said. You are amazing. Thank you for sharing.

15 Ronnie Jaap { 03.22.18 at 4:50 PM }

You are one of the strongest and most amazing women I know. Wishing you all the best of life and happiness.

16 Anonymous { 03.22.18 at 10:53 PM }

You are strong and change means growth. Hugs to you.

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