Moving Forward

Posted on by Miriam

When I flipped the calendar onto April this morning the quote down the bottom caught my eye:    “The Greatest thing in the world is not so much where we stand, as in what direction we are moving.”  Johan Wolfgang Von Goefth

Moving forward

How true. When standing still we feel as though we’re not getting anywhere. That’s me lately.  As though I’ve lost my sense of direction.

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I’m a thinker, always looking, trying to capture the moment.  My days, once so routine when I held an office job, now seem all over the place.  The freelance work is ongoing but along with my copy writing work it’s sporadic.  The kids are growing up, they’re on school holidays and don’t seem to need me as much.  I should be more relaxed but there are days when I feel like I’ve lost my purpose.

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Some days I feel as though I’m walking on quicksand. As though any minute I’ll go under as my footing is no longer sure.  I wonder if it’s a stage of life.

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Sometimes I feel stuck between a rock and a hard place.  Not knowing which way is which.  Or how I’m meant to find my way out.

But then I think of my mum.  Of how I can drop in to see her whenever I want.  I can be with her when she has specialist appointments.  I can drop everything and go to her.

And I realise that maybe things are just how they’re meant to be.  How maybe the fact that I didn’t get one of the many job interviews I went for last year was because I was meant to be home so that I could see her.  So that she could have hope in seeing her family when there’s little other hope and meaning in her life.

I realise that I am moving forward.  In the direction where I’m most needed. At this point in time anyway.  We are all ultimately in the place where we’re meant to be.

Moving forward into the light

With the people that need us.  My mum, my family.  Walking into the light.

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This is me with my daughter in the car that we picked up for her last week.  Her first car.  I can’t believe my baby girl is going to be driving this beast.  She was so excited.

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I look back and reflect on all that’s gone but I’ve realised the only way ahead is to go with the flow.  To accept what is and move forward.  I guess that’s what we’re all doing.  All of us and everyday.  Maybe I have found my purpose after all.  And I am right where I’m meant to be.

Wishing you all safe travels and wise decisions as we move forward on our journey through a purpose filled life.

85 thoughts on “Moving Forward”

  1. Everything happens for a reason. Lovely pictures and quote. Congratulations to your daughter! I hope she enjoys many happy travels with her car. It feels like we are standing still, but the Earth is turning. Things are working out and you are moving forward, eventhough it doesn’t feel like it. 🙂

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  2. I do believe things work out how they’re meant to, even if it seems hard at the time. Your mum needs you now and you will cherish the time you’ve spent with her later. When the time is right, you will find the job you want. Best wishes.

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  4. It certainly sounds as though you are exactly where you are meant to be, right now, for this phase of your journey. Life has a way of working out for the best, although we can’t always see that at the time. Best wishes x

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  8. I feel so many of the things you wrote about in this post. I’m out of work entirely and feel guilty every day. I am here for my children and they love that, as do I. But I’ve become mom and caregiver and nothing else. I don’t want to give up being with them but I need something else, too. (Although a horrible corporate job is not it…)

    As always, wonderful photos and writing.

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    1. Sorry to hear that you can relate so strongly. It seems to be a common dilemma today that as much as we want to stay home and look after our kids we often lose ourselves in the process. I’m with you, I don’t want a full time corporate job but eventually I’ll need something else. I guess when the time is right … for both of us. Take care.

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  10. Hi, Miriam. The state of mind your describe — feeling a little useless at times, wondering whether you’ve missed opportunities, trying hard to know where your life is taking you — echoes my current feelings about work and family. Too much of anfocu on the future led me to slice my thumb open in a seriously bad way. I see that as a wake-up call, that cut. And I see it as a catalyst, too, as my friend and fellow blogger Hannah Kenway suggested. The Goethe quote seems to have been your catalyst for clearer vision and a renewed sense of purpose.

    The interweaving of photos and text here is strikingly good, by the way. I hope your good feelings and positivity continue.

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    1. Hey Patrick, it feels somehow comforting to know that I’m not alone in my search for answers and feelings of uncertainty though I am sorry you feel that way too. And that you sliced open your thumb, ouch! Take care and thanks for your good wishes.

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  12. Always forward Miriam, I think when we see our children moving forward we sometimes feel very left behind, but then we think we probaly did the same, it takes a lot of getting use to, but you are right, it opens you up to your purpose now, and you know, no matter what we go through or what we think, our children are always our’s and they always need us, just now its in a different way
    Have a great day

    Brooke

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    1. Thanks Brooke, you’re right of course, growing up we all did the same as we gained our independence. I guess we just question everything and where we’re heading. But it has to be forward of course. Thanks for your words of support.

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  13. Such a heartfelt, honest post. It struck a chord with me when you said it’s like you’re walking on quicksand. I know that feeling. Sometimes it’s like I’m treading water, not really going anywhere … Like running in quicksand. But you sum it up so simply … Maybe those moments just mean you’re exactly where you’re meant to be at that time. Things will move again, just not right now. Thought provoking indeed, Miriam.

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    1. Thanks Kim. I’m sure that many of us feel this way at times, this general feeling of being stuck and not getting anywhere. I really felt a need to get it out. Thanks again for your great comment.

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  14. Being optimistic always helps. Very honest post and the pictures are amazing too. Your daughter is beautiful and brave. Stay blessed

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  15. WOW! I felt like you were writing that specifically for me. Our life has been with direction in the past year – but turned upside down, inside out and all around. We definitely know that “between a rock and a hard place”! I cant help but envy you a little for the time that you have with your mom. I miss my dad sooo much. I wish I would have had more time with him. Please enjoy and spend every possible minute you can with her. Thank you for posting such a great blog for me to read today. It lifted my spirits.

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    1. I’m glad this lifted your spirits but I’m also sad to hear how much you miss your dad, it’s never easy is it? Yes I will cherish the time I have with my mum. It’s time I’ll never have again. Thanks for your lovely comment and take care.

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      1. Please dont be sad…..its all part of grieving. I told hubby that I thought I would grieve for the rest of my life. I do miss him so much. Tomorrow will be his birthday and I would have been on the phone with him for hours. Thats probably why I am missing him so much lately. Take care too my friend.

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  16. Miriam, this is so timely and well stated! Yes, I agree what is meant to be will be. Funny. I started a post about just such a thing this morning while traveling.
    Thank you for sharing your insights in such a beautiful way! ❤ I love how the images reflect the message. 🙂❤️️ Tiffany

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  18. Very well said. I love how you touched on both sides of this. I too work from home now as a freelance writer. It’s fun, but like you there are days when I feel like I’ve lost my purpose. But then, also like you, I look around and soon realize that this is my purpose. All that I’m supposed to be doing right now, I am doing. Your living the life you’re supposed to be right now and as long as you’re not going backward, you’re always on the right track. Even then, sometimes we *do* have to take a step backwards so that we can get back on the right path again. I loved the photos that you chose for this post – they’re such a perfect fit.

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    1. Beautifully said. Thank you so much. It’s such a comfort to know that others, like you, are going through the same and feeling similar uncertainties. And you’re so right, as long as we’re not going backwards we’re on the right track … Thanks again 🙂

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  19. Hi Miriam! Sometimes I WANT to be able to stand still and stop time for a few moments when I feel time is moving forward too quickly for me. I want to stop time, stand still and take a breath ~ For as long as I need to. I have to tell you, though, it’s REAL hard to stop time! I think you are correct that you are where you need to be right now and why not accept that for the moment and be with your Mom and Family like you said and then as time goes on and your mind keeps working your “purpose” or “routine” will reveal itself. Our purposes and routines are always changing anyways, I think. Have a great weekend and enjoy!

    Candice~Marie

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    1. Hey Candice-Marie, not sure if you got my reply to this. My phone went haywire, think I sent it but it went to the top of my comments on this page! Hopefully you can find it there. I Shouldn’t type in bed! Cheers.

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      1. Oh, ya, I found it, it was in a weird place and I didn’t get a notice. Strange! I often work on my phone in bed, too. It can be a little difficult sometimes, I always seem to press send on accident before I’ve finished my thought. Thanks for figuring that out and letting me know.

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  21. For sure you should be more relaxed, Miriam. You didn’t lost your purpose, maybe you have more time than you use to have and that’s not a problem. Now you have more time for you and your family, as you said 😀
    So, enjoy!
    By the way, you have a beautiful family 🙂
    Have an amazing weekend, dear Miriam
    Love,
    Monica ❤

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  22. Time is such an intangible thing that has so powerful an effect on is. If you look back to when you were 18 it is a time when you make many of life’s decisions and oh so quickly. Yet as you age you spend more time analysing outcomes and life. Never fear you are in the right space. Wish I’d had a car that cool at 18! I’ll bet she’s over the moon. Love the pics.

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  23. Hey Candice-Marie, your words hit home for me. You’re right, it’s all about accepting that this is where I’m meant to be right now, home with my family and mum. Things will undoubtedly change down the track as will my purpose. Thanks for your insightful comment and good luck with your own whirlwind of life. Hope you manage to slow time down enough to relax and enjoy!

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  24. Oh, Miriam, how heartfelt! I appreciate your vulnerability and your sensitivity to your current place in life. Many days, I feel like I am drifting, or just floating, without a sense of direction. It feels hard to make decisions when I don’t have a real goal or plan. Like you, I try to remind myself that there *is* a purpose to this time. It’s been profoundly healing and restorative for me. Even though I don’t have a clear course or firm objective, I don’t have a concrete idea of what I want to be when I grow up so to speak, I hope that I end up someplace good by just taking each decision one at a time and trying to do the next best thing as it arises. Sending you hugs from across the seas! Have a lovely weekend!

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  27. I relate so much to this, even though are lives are so different, but that’s the magic I think.
    Constantly jealous seeing your beautiful serene images but maybe that only means that I have to move into that direction 🙂
    hugs,
    Dagmar

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  28. Hey Miriam I think that maybe my favourite piece by you yet so personal and insightful all at the same time. I sometimes feel very similar and think it’s an age thing… But the think I am over thinking things! So then book another holiday! Heehee

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  29. You write with such eloquence and honesty about the difficult issues of life! I think you are definitely in a transition time right now, and that can always make people feel a bit lost. But as you say, even though your life may feel very unfamiliar right now, maybe this is exactly where you need to be at this stage. And on your way to exactly where you need to be going….

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  30. Sometimes it can be hard to see the path we’re on, or where it’s heading. It does kind of sound as though some things in your life lately have a sort of serendipity to them, so going with the flow is actually the perfect thing to do. Hindsight will show you how right it’s all been. 🙂

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  31. Everything that happens shape us and our lives. Nothing is black or white or good or bad even if they appear as such. As long as You make the decisions yourself they will always be good, because they’re Yours ☺

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  33. Such a beautiful piece Miriam. I really can relate. I admire your honesty, your strength and your resolve to continue moving forward no matter the obstacle life presents. Very inspiring, thank you!!

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  34. I so relate to this post. Sometimes I think the hardest thing (for me) is to stop trying to figure out the why’s in a situation and just be with the situation. Reasons tend to show themselves if given time.

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  35. Just go with the flow.
    Not getting stuck and trapped in the quicksand.
    Coping with the changes that our age and the maturity of our children and parents thrust upon us.
    Gee………….I’m beginning to think that there’s something going on in the universe right now.

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