Be the things you loved most about the people who are gone

'Be the things you loved most about the people who are gone'  I read this quote a while ago and it really touched me.  Not only does it make me think about who has influenced me during my life but also what life lessons they have taught me.   As the Beatles once sung 'Though I know I'll never lose affection for people and things that went before, I know I'll often stop and think about them.'   If I think about it, in my life I have known hundreds or even thousands of people - some have been close relatives or friends, others short term acquaintances and I like to think they have all had an influence on me.  Some of those people have passed to another shore, others have moved away or friendship has faded. But their influence remains. 

I don't claim to have amassed a great deal of wisdom during my life time, but any wisdom I may have has probably been imparted by others.  After my marriage broke down eight years ago, I tried so very hard to deal with that pain without it making me bitter and twisted, I knew my life had changed but I wanted to try to make the most of the new life I had.  Of course, even since then, life, illness, grief, pandemics and frail mental health all take their toll and make life difficult.  The last year or two was difficult for me in places, lightened considerably by friends who supported and accepted me and allowed me to be myself. 

I shall never really understand people and the pain they can inflict, however if I've learned anything it is that I have very little influence on the actions and thoughts of others.  All I can do is to live my life according to my own values, listening to the wisdom of those who are gone, acting with love and gentleness as often as possible and seeking joy as often as I can.