A Road Map for Life

I am a resident of Newtown, CT, the site of the Sandy Hook Elementary School shooting that broke the collective hearts of the town, state and country.  This senseless tragedy is still difficult to grasp, three weeks after the fact.  And as a recent resident of the town, although I did not know anyone directly involved, it is a benchmark, not unlike 911, that will resonate within me, and I along with the nation am forever changed.   

While going through some "Laurie's Memories" files, I uncovered a letter I wrote in a difficult period of my own life to my three daughters, and I would like to share those thoughts with you...

Love means having to say you are sorry...often

We are all flawed...We are all unique...

Meaningful relationships require blood, sweat and tears - coupled with love, acceptance and forgiveness...and the occasional phone call...

Love in its purest form is unconditional - but not stupid...

We can love each other, but not always appreciate or endorse others' attitudes, actions or choices...

Respect must flow both ways - even when we agree to disagree...

We must first learn to acknowledge and value ourselves, in order to truly value others...

Judging others can destroy love and respect...sometimes permanently if unstopped...

Forgiving others sometimes requires that we forgive ourself first...

A simple "Thank You" enlarges the heart of both the giver and receiver...

True forgiveness erases past mistakes, harsh words and thoughtless actions...

None of us have the right to impose our opinions, attitudes or judgments on others, just because we have them...

But, if we are invited to share them...

...They should always and only be delivered with a heart of Kindness, Tenderness and Compassion...

And when others share their unsolicited opinions...do not react with anger and frustration, instead recognize the love and concern behind the words...because...

...Sometimes, quietly walking away from a fight takes more strength than duking it out...

Just as pencils have erasers...it is sometimes necessary to change our minds and plot new paths to live a life of meaning and worth

We do not always understand ourselves...so why do we think we can always understand others?

Strive to have the heart and memory of a dog or cat...

Not only recognize, but acknowledge the kindness in others...often

Today is all we have...Love is what we need