Days That Change Your Life- Part 2

When I was 15 I learned a really valuable lesson about gossip. I had a group of girl friends who went to the same church but different schools. Some of us spent more time together than others but we tried to get together as often as possible to hang out. I remember one friday (maybe saturday) night all but one of the group went to see a movie. As we were waiting for the movie to begin the girls sat there talking about the one girl who wasn't there. I was amazed, but I'm sure that didn't stop me from joining in on the conversation. At the time, it seemed like the "popular" thing to do.

Wednesday came and the girl who had missed out was inquisitive about the events of the weekend. As she and I began talking it was as if someting had taken over my body and I felt it was my God appointed duty to tell her every last detail about the weekend, including the part where everyone was talking about her. Of course being I'm detail oriented I'm sure I left nothing out. At some point in our conversation, she and I made it into her car. As she tearfully began driving us around I continued to spew superfluous word vomit from my mouth. After some time, our conversation was ended abruptly when she ran a stop sign and later we realized we'd been hit by a drunk driver.

That day as those series of events unfolded I had little idea the lessons and hardships that lay ahead of me. I had friends that would want to confront me and talk through issues- rightfully so. I had Dr. appointments upon Dr. appointments that would follow me, well, for the rest of my life. Little did I know when I chose to not wear a seat belt that day because we'd just be driving around a neighborhood that would be how the story would end and little did I know I'd suffer a rather traumatic brain injury resulting in managable but life long effects. That day changed my life- for good and bad.

That life altering day I made a decision to be reckless with my actions and with my words. I disregarded consideration for her feelings and for the feelings of anyone else that might be involved. The truth is, I was quick to forget that words spoken about someone often stem from a much larger issue and that there are 3 sides to every story.

That day, I made a commitment to myself to do my best to never be reckless with my words and actions again. I haven't been perfect, by far. Maybe some days I've failed royally. Maybe some days I've failed worse than others and other days I've done far better than others. I'm human. But, I have taken some significant strides in learning to bite my tongue. Everyday is a new day and everyday I try harder to be better than the day before.

Recently, I have been on the backend of some rather silly gossip. I'm now the girl driving the car, although I'm much older. Being that I'm much older I have significantly less tolerance for this type of behavior. I digress. I must say what I'm hearing about myself is not only half true but it's half the story (if even half).

All of these things brought me back to that chilling day where I sat on the side of the road paralyzed by fear, disgusted with who I was, and vowing to be vastly different. I look back evaluating to see just how much I've changed and look forward welcoming continued life changes. It is a simple reminder to not judge a book simply by it's cover or even by the review of a critic- but to delve in with reckless abandon and find out for myself what lies between the marred covers.

I'm eternally thankful for days that change my life and for simple, still reminders of who I was, who I am, and who I want to be.