I am sure like me, there have been times when you have wondered what difference might have been made to your life, if your younger self had been gifted with the experience and knowledge you have accumulated over the years.
I invited several friends from the writing community to share their thoughts on this subject which I am sure you will enjoy as much as I did.
Today in wonderful style, Rebecca Budd… a huge supporter of the creative community across her several artistic and promotional blogs, shares her thoughts on the prompt. And one of the key elements, is to live in the present and make every moment count.
Rebecca is on a ferry on her way to celebrate the retirement of her younger brother, and it is a perfect time for reflection on her own life and journey.
I Wish I Knew Then What I Know Now! by Rebecca Budd
My thanks to Rebecca for creating this wonderful video that shares her thoughts on her own youth and aspirations, but also reminds us that whatever time of life we might be in to make the most of the present and what is to come. I know she would love to hear from you.
About Rebecca Budd
I’m your host, Rebecca Budd.
I am a Blogger, Photographer, Traveler. Above all, I’m a life-long learner.
Tea, Toast & Trivia is about exploring the creative spirit within a dynamic, ever-changing global world. The pursuit of creativity is essential. It speaks to the soul of our culture and society. It allows us to celebrate our individuality and our togetherness. We live in a world that offers unimaginable possibilities.
My goal is to encourage a deep and profound awareness of our personal journeys. There is always a story to be read, an adventure to be imagined, and an idea to be understood. Our conversations and connections give meaning to the present while expressing the universal hopes and aspirations of humanity.
Sharing a cup of tea signals a pause, a breathing space.
Toast signifies bread – the staple food that has been with us since ancient days.
And trivia – those seemingly insignificant details that we soon forget – they are important. They influence our actions and define our lives. Isn’t it time to give relevance to what we overlook in our busy, even frantic schedules?
So put the kettle on and join me for Tea, Toast and Trivia.
I’m looking forward to sharing in our ongoing conversation.
Connect to Rebecca via her blogs including: Tea Toast and Trivia – Clanmother – Lady Budd – Chasing Art – Facebook: Rebecca G. Budd – Twitter: @ChasingArt
Thank you for dropping in today and it would be wonderful if you could share the post.. thanks Sally.
What a treat to watch Rebecca’s video! I smiled all the way through it and just felt GOOD for hearing such an eloquent reflection on the past, the future, and the here and now. Thank you, Rebecca!
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I agree Liz.. very uplifting xx
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Thank you, Liz, for your generosity in sharing your story in prose and poetry. You continue to inspire me with your support of our community though your encouraging and insightful comments . Your story has added so much joy to mine.
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Loved hearing from Rebecca and seeing the beautiful setting:)
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It was stunning.. fabulous way to travel.. thanks Becky..xx
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Yes!
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Thank you, Becky for your lovely comment. I really enjoyed making this short video. I didn’t know whether, with all the noise of the engine, that my voice would come through!! I always look forward to the ferry trip between Vancouver and Victoria, because it allows me to pause and reflect. My brother’s early retirement milestone reminded me that life moves on and we must too. One of my favourite quotes is by Virgil: “Death twitches my ear. ‘Live,’ he says. “I am coming.” So let’s live with bold enthusiasm.
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Yes, your voice was very clear:) Important reminder about life! Take care, Rebecca.
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Rebecca summed your question up perfectly Sally the video was a joy to watch and listen to…Thank you ladies Hugs xx
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Thanks Carol.. I loved it too. ♥
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Carol – thank you, thank you for your support and encouragement of TTT. I enjoyed meeting up with you and look forward to my virtual return to Thailand. Sally has such great ideas, doesn’t she? I have enjoyed this series and have been encouraged by the words of wisdom that comes through in every presentation. Life is the very best when shared with kindred spirits.
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Absolutely Rebecca the blogging world can be a wonderful place I have virtually met so many people whom I never would have met in my lifetime…I too look forward to virtually meeting you from Thailand once again.<3
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Packing my bags!!! I’m ready!
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Yeah! 💕
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A lovely video and Rebecca’s message is so supremely important. Toni x
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I totally agree with you Toni… ♥
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Thank you, Toni, for your heartwarming comments. Your thoughts in your “then and now” article about embracing kindness and not tolerating bad behavior resonated with me. I am grateful that I am part of this wonderful compassionate community that thrives on the exchange of knowledge and experience.
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Rebecca is a gift to all of us! Thank you for showcasing her Sally. You are a gift to all of us too.
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Thanks so much Cindy.. delighted you enjoyed ♥
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Cindy – what a wonderful adventure we have had over the years. We started blogging in the same month and year. The universe brought us together and continues to spread serendipity into our pathway. Thank you for your amazing support of the blogging community. You spread joy everywhere you go – and you go many places and take us along with you.
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What uplifting positive thoughts from Rebecca! And a great setting, one which I know well, having taken that ferry many times over the years.
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Wonderful Audrey and I enjoyed the scenery very much and the message..hugsx
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Many thanks, Audrey, for your lovely comments. Just think – we could have passed each other on the ferry. I feel a sense of tranquility come over me as I watch the islands go by and the hear the cry of seagulls overhead.
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Yes, and going through Active Pass one can often see eagles perched in the trees.
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HI Sally, it is always wonderful to listen to Rebecca’s podcasts. She is such a positive person and experiences so much joy and happiness in life it rubs off on all of us. Thank you for sharing her video and for this terrific series.
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Thanks Robbie.. I am enjoying everyone’s responses and so pleased you are enjoying ♥
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Robbie – I am convinced that you and Sally live in places that have more hours in a day than I do. I am inspired (stand in awe) by the breadth and depth of your engagement in blogging, writing, and poetry all the while working in a corporate world and taking care of your wonderful family. I have traveled with you throughout South Africa and have met up with lions, elephants, ostriches. I have read your stories that bring the past to life. Thank you for adding joy to my life.
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Hi Rebecca, thank you for your lovely comment and for your support of my blog and writing. I really appreciate it. Sally was one of the very first bloggers I discovered when I started Robbie’s Inspiration in August 2016. I soon learned to appreciate her wonderful support and blogging style and she became my mentor. I learned from her and embraced her advice. I am extremely grateful to Sally for everything she does for us all and for being a wonderful role model.
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Thank you very much Robbie and hard to believe it has been six years since we connected.. time flies when you are enjoying yourself! You have also been a huge support over that time so don’t underestimate your contribution to us all ♥
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Thank you, Sally. I try.
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And succeed!!!
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How very very well said, Robbie. I have met so many brilliant writers and poets through you and Sally. Isn’t it wonderful to share life with kindred spirits that span the globe!! Sending many hugs your way.
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Hugs back to you and Sally.
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Living in the moment, boldly and with great joy should be our mantra. Thanks for the words of wisdom, Rebecca.
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Thanks Pete.. a wonderful message from Rebecca xx
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I am so glad that we connected, Pete. If anyone knows how to live in the moment, boldly, with great joy – it is you. Thank you for sharing your insights and reflections on TTT. My mother, Frances, called me the moment she listened to your podcast and said, “I REALLY enjoyed Pete Springer!! What a wonderful teacher. I must read his book.
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I didn’t realize that Frances was your mother, Rebecca. I remember a lengthy comment from a Frances on your blog. How special that she follows your blog. Our son occasionally reads my blog, and I’ve been slowly printing all my posts off so that his dad’s words will always be with him after I’m gone.
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What a lovely idea Pete.. xx
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Oh Pete, that is a great idea. I treasure the notes and letters my father left for me. The more I move down my timeline, the more precious they become. Frances LOVED your podcast and reminds me that she wants to hear your read from your book!!! Will be in touch.
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Yes it is best to live in the moment, but so hard to do if life has not always been as great as you thought it would be at the age of 18. I love reading all these stories, Sally. x
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Thanks Stevie.. me too. I think the hardest part of growing up is that you are usually steered towards other’s expectations before you have created your own. Some, once on that path never get the chance to get off it. xxx
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Many thanks for your insightful comment, Stevie. Life presents many challenges as well as opportunities, grieving as well as gladness. At 18, I envisioned a much different life than the one that I lived. When I look back, I realize that every disappointment, every regret, every decision, every hurt has led me to where I am now and to what’s next. I love the quote by Douglas Adams: “I may not have gone where I intended to go, but I think I have ended up where I needed to be…”
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I love the enthusiasm, energy and joie de vivre of 18 year olds. However, by middle age the wonder of it all has dampened a bit, lol. Where we end up is a result of the choices we made along life’s path, some good and some not so good.
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What a joy to see Rebecca and to hear her reflect on her life’s journey. Living in the present and sharing that moment with the ones we love is a strong message and great advice. Beautiful video. Hugs
Reblogged on Improvisation – “The Art of Living”
https://williampriceking.tumblr.com/
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Thanks William.. a wonderful response by Rebecca to the prompt..Thanks for passing along to Tumblr too..hugsx
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Thank you William for your heartwarming and encouraging comments. I love visiting Sally’s place because I meet the most wonderful people who becomes friends. I love the title of your blog “Improvisation – The Art of Living.” How very well said! We are creating art by living! Let’s continue to improvise!!!!
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Reblogged this on NEW BLOG HERE >> https:/BOOKS.ESLARN-NET.DE.
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Thanks for sharing Rebecca’s post Michael..hugsx
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Many thanks for sharing my message!!! Very much appreciated, Michael.
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I really enjoyed Rebecca’s wonderful idea answering your question by creating an very touching video, with a great positive impact. Thanks for this to Rebecca, and to you for this very interesting series, Sally! Have a nice day! xx Michael.
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Thank you very much Michael.. delighted you enjoyed Rebecca’s unique response.. I loved it.. hugsxx
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Sally has the best ideas, doesn’t she, Michael? I look forward to seeing these posts come up in my reader. Thank you for your heartwarming and encouraging comments. It was so much fun to record the video on the ferry with all the background noise. Just as I turned off the video recording, the ferry horn sounded. Perfect timing.
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Thanks Rebecca ♥
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I loved this! Rebecca has such a calming and uplifting effect and she took your prompt and delivered it whilst in ‘transition’ on a ferrry, in one beautiful and considered response. The allegory of our lives as chapters in a book worked perfectly and I took down the same words as Pete – ‘Live boldly and with great joy’. Another unique take on this series, Sally, and one that was supremely positive and embraced an acceptance of the ‘now’. xxx
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Thanks very much Alex.. lovely setting for Rebecca’s words of wisdom. Something to live by..♥
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Thank you, Alex, for joining me virtually on the ferry to Victoria. It is a great time for meditation. I have just followed you on Amazon and am looking forward to exploring your writing. I love visiting Sally’s blog because I meet up with amazing writers, poets, storytellers. It is a “happening place” – a Smorgasbord of literature. Your heartwarming and encouraging comments are very much appreciated.
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Sorry to have missed this until now, Rebecca. I completely agree with you about Sally’s Smorgasbord being a “happening place”. Through her I’ve come to know and appreciate amazing authors and their writing – books that I wouldn’t otherwise have known about because they sailed under the radar of the big publishing houses. Many thanks for the lovely comment!
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♥♥ thanks Trish
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What an inspiring video! Rebecca is indeed a bright light within the blogging community. Thanks for sharing, Sally! xo
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She is Jill and loved her video…hugsx
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I am so pleased that we have connected on Sally’s blog, Jill. Many thanks for your heartwarming comments – they are an encouragement to me. I am grateful that I have found this amazing indie community where storytelling is honoured and shared.
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I so enjoyed this reflection! What a wonderful and inspiring story for all of us to enjoy, and especially for the young Rebeccas out there!
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I agree thanks Dorothy and loved Rebecca’s video response.. hugsxx
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Your comments made my day pure sunshine, Dorothy. I am so proud of our new generation. They are pursuing their dreams within a dynamic, evolving and complex world. What I want them to know is that their personal stories will have many twists and turns, happy and sad times, challenges and opportunities – to live it one day at a time. Most of all, not to be afraid of moving on in their timeline. Every stage has gifts to bestow.
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No truer words than these Rebecca! 💕
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Wonderful video, Rebecca! Thanks for sharing her story with us, Sally! 🙂
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Thanks very much Yvette.. hugsx
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Many thanks for your lovely comments and for joining me virtually on the ferry, Yvette! I am delighted that you enjoyed the video. Sally has great ideas, doesn’t she?!!
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Wow! I just loved this. It made me somewhat homesick as I watched the scenery go by. I have taken that very same ferry many many times and never grow tired of it. Thanks so much, Rebecca for your words of wisdom and hope. My favourite part of the video was “And it turned out even better than I imagined.” which resonated with me because it certainly did. Thank you Sally for featuring Rebecca. The fact that my two favourite bloggers are connected, makes me so happy. You both rock!
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Thanks very much Darlene and I would love to take that ferry ride.. loved the video and certainly delighted to have met up with Rebecca last year and been part of her podcast.. She is amazing ♥
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I was thinking of you, Darlene, because I knew that you have travelled this way many times. I was also thinking about Marcelle because I want to make that voyage to Mudge Island one day too. Many thanks for your heartwarming comments, for sharing your ability to tell stories, to bring joy to children 8 – 91. My mother, Frances, is looking forward to Amanda in France which I have pre-ordered on March 21, 2022. I love the quote by Colette, “What a wonderful life I’ve had! I only wish I’d realized it sooner.” What I love best about moving on in my timeline, is that I have so much to look back on and can see more clearly, how wonderful my life turned out.
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I love the Colette quote as well. Thanks for pre-ordering Amanda in France. I hope you and Frances enjoy it. xo
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We will. Frances has every one of the Amanda books in paperback and I have in Kindle. I splurged and bought a Kindle. What I found out was that all I need to do press a button on the screen and the book is immediately purchased. It is so exciting and I am practicing my “button pressing” skill sets.
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A beautiful setting and message 🙂 A video is such a personal way to inspire, and I was . Xo
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I agree something Rebecca excels at and lots of wisdom in this video.. loved the backdrop..hugsx
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Many many thanks, for your lovely comments, D.L. Finn. I have met the most amazing writers on Sally’s blog. I just started to follow your Amazon page and look forward to exploring your writing.
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Thank you Sally, for your support, encouragement, and care of the indie community. I am honoured that you would include me in “Then and Now” series, alongside such wonderful writers and storytellers. You create compassionate communities wherever you go – you embrace a global world. Thank you for your support of TTT – I am looking forward to our next conversation over tea. Sending much love and many hugs along with my gratitude for all you do.
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Delighted to share your wisdom and unique response Rebecca… Always very happy to have you over for a visit and thank you for your wonderful support of all of us with TTT… a lovely platform ♥♥
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It is an honour to share a cup of tea with writers and hear their marvelous stories. Their efforts to bring stories alive is a gift to readers. Thank you Sally!!!
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Inspiring! I love this!
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Thank you, Jan! Your comment was very encouraging!
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Thanks Jan.. ♥
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What a positive way to look back, keeping the darker parts away! Thanks for an inspirational message Rebecca, much appreciated and yes, Sally builds a community wherever she goes! She is a light that brightens our blogosphere. 😊🤗
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Oh, those darker parts are what built my hope and resilience, Balroop. They are now embedded within my soul, joyfully accepted for the strength that they give as I continue on my timeline. Sadness and grieving are part of the human experience. Robert Frost, who endured many losses in his life, says it better than I could: “In three words I can sum up everything I learned about life: it goes on.” Many thanks for your insightful comments.
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Thanks very much Balroop ♥
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So great to see and listen to Rebecca tell her story. And so uplifting to hear her speak of her happy life from 18 and still today. And a lovely mention of you too Sal. ❤ xx
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Many thanks for your lovely comments, Debby – I LOVE our conversations . I met you through Sally’s community. I have come to believe that Sally is serendipity in action. You two make a brilliant duo. Sending many hugs!
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Thanks Rebecca…. double trouble.. goodness knows what will happen when we meet in reality lol.. ♥
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Thank you so much for your kind words Rebecca. And I do agree, Sally is serendipity. Hugs xx
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Thanks Debby, Rebecca is always very generous and loved her words of wisdom..♥
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She truly is ❤
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A wise and wonderful video from Rebecca, with a gorgeous backdrop. Inspiring! As so many in the blogging community know, Rebecca is a treasure.
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Thanks Dave and I agree.. Rebecca is a treasure.
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And your blog and the work you do are terrific, Sally!
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Thanks very much Dave..
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Many thanks Dave for your heartwarming comments. You were there from the start of TTT, encouraging and supporting us as we climbed the steep learning curve that continues to curve upward. Don was especially grateful for your kind words that said the audio was becoming clearer with every conversation, even though we knew that we had a long way to go. Your weekly blog posts challenge me to reflect and consider how stories influence my life. Your two books are beside my computer desk for easy access. My mother Frances and I look forward to our daily adventures with Misty and you on Facebook. I am grateful for our friendship and to the many conversations that are awaiting our arrival.
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Thank you for all those very kind words, Rebecca! 🙂 Your podcast was fantastic from the start, yet still got better and better through your efforts and Don’s. A must-listen-to every week! I am grateful for our friendship as well. 🙂
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I love the idea of telling your 18 year old self to look at life as a story. I think I would have told my 18 year old self to enjoy the ‘ride’ more just as you were enjoying that lovely ferry ride as you were telling your story.
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Thank you for adding your thoughts to Rebecca’s lovely post.
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How very well said, Mandy – enjoy the ride. The other day I came across a quote by Ovid, a Roman poet who lived from 43BCE to 17 or 18CE. “Happy is the man who has broken the chains which hurt the mind and has given up worrying once and for all.” Oh it that were only possible!!!! It seems that enjoying the ride is not worrying about what happened in the last chapter or in the next chapter. The chapter that we are in needs our attention. Many thanks for your support and encouragement of TTT. Sending many hugs!
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Perhaps that is why I am so much enjoying the new style of reading ( for me) of only a chapter a day which I learned via The Brothers Karamazov.
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It is a wonderful way to approach a good story!
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Beautiful video, Rebecca! I’m glad the weather held for your trip to the island, it’s been a windy, wild spring so far 🙂
Your message is inspiring. I especially like your analogy with life being a story and all of our encounters, facets of that story- beautiful.
Hope you enjoy your brother’s retirement party, congrats to him!
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Thank you Jacquie for your heartwarming comments which are very very much appreciated. Do you live on Vancouver Island? If you do, we must meet up! I agree – it has been a wild and windy spring so far and I still wear a coat when I go for a walk. It was a wonderful family reunion and plans are that we will return to Victoria next year for another one. I love walking the breakwater and Beacon Hill Park.
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Thanks Jacquie ♥
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What a beautiful story of your life, Rebecca. It was so lovely to hear your voice. I always enjoy your thoughts. ❤
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Thanks Colleen ♥
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My dear friend, I am delighted that we connected. Sending many hugs your way.
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Thank you, Rebecca. I’m sending hugs back to you. 💜
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Rebecca puts together such a beautiful video, only matched by her inspiring positivity. What a treasure she is to our writing and arts community. I also share her belief that life is a story and most of us are free to write our own. It’s not a story to waste. Lovely guest and share, Sally. Thanks to you both for the beautiful post to end my day. 🙂
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Thanks Diana and it is wonderful that we unlike previous generations have far more opportunities to tell our stories and be heard. ♥
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That’s a great point, Sally. And encouraging. ❤
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