Create a New Forum Admin Login Member Login Contribute to Voyager Search VoyForums Help Desk VoyForums Exchange VoyForums Directory/Categories VoyForums Homepage VoyForums News FAQ - Frequently Asked Questions

[ Show ]

Support VoyForums

[ Shrink ]

VoyForums Announcement: Programming and providing support for this service has been a labor of love since 1997. We are one of the few services online who values our users' privacy, and have never sold your information. We have even fought hard to defend your privacy in legal cases; however, we've done it with almost no financial support -- paying out of pocket to continue providing the service. Due to the issues imposed on us by advertisers, we also stopped hosting most ads on the forums many years ago. We hope you appreciate our efforts.

Show your support by donating any amount. (Note: We are still technically a for-profit company, so your contribution is not tax-deductible.) PayPal Acct: Feedback:

Donate to VoyForums (PayPal):

[ Login ] [ Contact Forum Admin ] [ Main index ] [ Post a new message ] [ Search | Check update time | Archives: 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, [8], 9, 10 ]

Subject: Re: Up's and downs of life - actually, LAB Author: Susan Taylor Jolly [ Next Thread | Previous Thread | Next Message | Previous Message ] Date Posted: 18:17:54 03/29/03 Sat In reply to: Bruce Wilson 's message, "Up's and downs of life - actually, LAB" on 20:53:21 03/28/03 Fri Hi Bruce! I was so glad to see your post, and so happy to hear you and Val are doing well!! You know, I think you were probably not talking specifically about Alan V., but rather that elephant that is always in the room at every reunion type event, and is the reason why many people avoid reunions like the plague. On some level, because we are human, we all feel we are being sized up based on our type of career, marital status or singleness, height, weight, looks, bank account, clothing, politics, and social contacts. Essentially all those things we thought would go away after high school. Many of us have grown comfortable in our own skin and circumstances, many of us haven't. Many will feel no discomfort in that setting, many will be very uncomfortable. Some will be courageous about being truly transparent, and many just won't be able to. All have had life successes ranging from "average" to wildly successful, and difficulties ranging from annoying to painfully tragic. We're all just folks, and will probably just have to practice rejoicing with those who rejoice, and weep with those who weep, and try to enjoy each others' company for a few hours in April, as well as the really interesting posts here on the web page. As for me, my life is very average, in all respects. I'm still married to Larry Jolly, I have three wonderful children I've stayed at home with for the last 18 years, I am the accountant for Larry's graphic design business (I do the books from home), and though life has been entirely different from what I expected, I do have a tremendous amount to be thankful for and content about. Thanks for your honesty, it's always refreshing. Hopefully, we'll all remember that web-posts and emails can be dangerous ground for misinterpretation because we can't hear each others' tone and inflection. I'll miss seeing you at the reunion, but maybe you can make the next one. [ Next Thread | Previous Thread | Next Message | Previous Message ]

Replies:

[> Subject: Re: Up's and downs of life - actually, LAB Author: Alan D. Valentine [ Edit | View ] Date Posted: 21:25:12 03/29/03 Sat Hi Bruce: It was good to hear from you, and I'm sorry you won't be at the reunion - you will be missed. Even though we did not know each other well, we all share a common bond through our band experiences which should make for an enjoyable time of renewing old friendships. Just so you know, I did not misinterpret your post, and I hope you did not misinterpret my "Careers" diatribe, either. I was simply responding to a specific question about a **single aspect** of my life, and one for which I have **boundless** enthusiasm. It is also an aspect of my life for which I must give my band experience and Mr. K much credit. I never would have "found" my life's calling, had it not been for my senior year in the Marshall band. However, the credit for any success I may have had since, I give entirely to God for doing for me what I cannot, to and my parents for teaching me how to do my part. Susan is right - we are ALL just folks - imperfect human beings. What I have learned about life, however, is that it is all about PERSPECTIVE - not so much about what happens to us or around us, good, bad or otherwise, but how we respond to it. Lest anyone think my life has been a bed of roses, rest assured that I have had my share of ups and downs, and the only thing of which I am certain is that there are more ahead. You should know that I have, in fact experienced and overcome tremendous (almost tragic) adversity in my life. In truth, the low points in my life fall WAY below what one might describe as average. Today, however, no matter what is happening in my life, I am successful because I am allowed to make a choice everyday when I wake up. I can either choose to be miserable, negative, angry, resentful, afraid and filled with self-pity, or I can choose to be happy, joyous and free. I choose the latter. Like Debbie, it just took me longer than I would have liked to learn how (and I am still learning)! And congratulations to you, Bruce, for finding the things that really matter in life! Best regards. [ Post a Reply to This Message ]