Recycle Your Life

Variety is the spice of life! At least, that’s the word on the street. For most of us, change is challenging to embrace and we sidestep it at every opportunity.

We also hear that the only constant in life is change. Why is it that knowing all of this good stuff doesn’t make it any easier for us to let go and let it happen?

Frankly, I don’t believe that we are mentally and emotionally wired for the roller coaster rides that life sometimes offers us. However, all of us at a certain age can recall times in our lives when we managed to handle changes that we thought would undo us at the very core.

For example, coming to grips with one’s sexuality requires deep change. Yet, when we meet the challenge of being out and proud, we are likely to gain inner strength that will serve us in other situations. In other words, we gain confidence when we are able to embrace and learn from a difficult experience. We realize our inherent abilities and develop the wisdom, fortitude and resilience to lean into other circumstances that would otherwise cause us to run.

It is customary for many of us to face the new year with relief and resolve; to let go of “what was” and to get ready for “what’s up” with high doses of optimism and determination. I am the proverbial goal-setter, consistently writing down my goals for the day, the week, and the year. I am always happy and fulfilled when I accomplish my dreams and desires, yet I can be perplexed by the many goals that do not come to fruition. That’s where recycling my life comes in…more specifically, making the necessary changes to my thoughts and ideas to visualize other uses for what life has in store for me.

With lots of prayer, meditation, and self-reflection, I am able to see that my needs and desires change, and that the goals that I set for myself earlier in the year do not have the same meaning or significance at year-end. Often, there are many pleasant surprises and unplanned happenings that work to my benefit. Along my journey, I am learning that while it is perfectly fine to have goals, I must continue to learn to live in the moment and try not to predict outcomes.  There is something to be said for learning to go with the flow. There is certainly more peace, tranquility, joy, and contentment.

I relate this process to recycling. I am avid about giving away items that I no longer use, finding other uses for objects, and sharing what I’ve outgrown. This type of recycling is fun for me. I get joy out of living more simply, making space, and clearing the air. I liken this to making rainbows out of roughage. My challenge these days is to find joy in discarding some of my old habits and embracing new ways of being. Yet, with a heart full of gratitude and the willingness to try, I am able to recycle my life today with a smile on my face and a glint of hope in my eye.

Recycle your life! Your happiness is worth it!

Karen Williams is an avid recyclist…if there is such a word! Recycle your ideas with her at karen@sfbaytimes.com.