Smorgasbord Blog Magazine – Guest Post – #Life – I Wish I Knew Then What I Know Now! by D.L. Finn

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.

Early teens Hawaii

I wish I knew then what I know now! by Denise Finn

There are many things that I wish I knew then that I know now. Yet, I doubt my current knowledge would have made a difference to that rebellious teenager. I was told to save my money for the future, which always made me shake my head. The future? I only had the now. When my well-meaning grandma worried about me driving seven hours to Disneyland with a friend, I smiled, nodded, and packed my bags. Another time, I drove to the ocean at two in the morning during a rainstorm. Even with a blowout, I had a bag of cat sand in my trunk from shopping earlier to pour into the mud, so a kind passenger could change the tire.

It all worked out in the end, no matter what chances I took. I was completely unaware that anything bad could happen to me. Take better care of my health? Nothing would change my diet or drinking habits until I had no choice. My youth was a place where I lacked the worries I have now.

But there was one time in my teenage years when I wished I could have assured myself it would be okay. I attempted to end my journey at fourteen years old because of an unpleasant family situation. Four years or four days felt the same through childlike eyes. If I hadn’t gotten to that low point, though, I wouldn’t have the faith and hope I do now.

All the things that I learned the hard way made me the person I am today. And hearing a voice tell me, “You have to go back. You have things to do,” is something I think about daily. It makes me want to do as much good as I can in this world for the time I’m here.

So, instead of wondering what I could say to a younger me, I pondered what I could learn from the girl who still looked at the world so full of hope despite that moment of darkness. I realized I could embrace the message of faith I had received in my youth.

After that moment, I approached the world differently, and maybe I always had on some level. I asked why a lot and often. I hardly watched the news in my younger years and was always pleasantly surprised when it rained. If someone needed my help, I didn’t stop to think about it—I helped. There was never any worry about where my next meal was coming from or how I’d pay the rent. I just had a way of figuring it out while watching the sun rise and set with awe.

High School Graduating from Beauty School

Of course, as an adult, we know there are bills to pay, and we must take care of our health. But do we need to get rid of that joy we had in our youth? That waking up and living each day to the fullest? To use our current wisdom but lifted by our innocence from the past, where good wins over evil.

It’s a full circle where we need faith from our past and our present insight. It’s when we become completely whole and feel our entire powerful and magical selves. To hang on to our wonder as we amass more knowledge. When dancing in the rain seems like a good idea until there’s that whisper, you’ll catch your death of cold. No, you’ll only feel whole again.

So, maybe I wrote this backward, but I think my youthful Denise would approve that I’m still embracing that light even after learning about all that darkness. That’s the message I try to create in my words to myself and others—then and now.

Knottsberry Farm on trip

©D.L. Finn 2022

My thanks to Denise for sharing this poignant and inspiring response to the prompt and I know she would love to hear from you…

About D.L. Finn

D.L. Finn is an independent California local who encourages everyone to embrace their inner child. She was born and raised in the foggy Bay Area, but in 1990 relocated with her husband, kids, dogs, and cats to the Sierra foothills in Nevada City, CA. She immersed herself in reading all types of books, but especially loved romance, horror, and fantasy. She always treasured creating her own reality on paper. Finally, being surrounded by towering pines, oaks, and cedars, her creativity was nurtured until it bloomed. Her creations vary from children’s books, young adult fantasy, and adult paranormal romance to an autobiography with poetry. She continues on her adventures with an open invitation for her readers to join her.

A selection of books by D.L. Finn

A recent review for Bigfoot

Pete Springer 4.0 out of 5 stars A Giant Conspiracy? Reviewed in the United States on April 21, 2022

A man, Steve, learns details of a family of three who mysteriously goes missing. Bob Simon was working for the Fish and Game and received a report to clear the fish out of Lake Tina using a chemical compound to kill the fish in the lake. This tactic was not unheard of, but when Bob digs deeper, he learns that he’s supposed to poison the fish because Bigfoot feeds on them. Bob says he was threatened with his job if he didn’t follow his orders. Bob, his wife, and their doctor son go missing. What has become of them is the mystery? Who had something to do with their disappearance? Was it the government, aliens, or some other mysterious force?

This is a good read for those who like wondering about Bigfoot, aliens, and conspiracy theories. I read and enjoyed D.L. Finn’s short story in thirty minutes.

Read the reviews and buy the books: Amazon US – And: Amazon UK – Follow D.L. Finn: Goodreads – Connect to D.L. Finn – Website: D.L. Finn Author – Facebook: D.L. Finn Author – Twitter: @dlfinnauthor

 

 Thank you for dropping in today and it would be great if you could share Denise’s guest post.. thanks Sally.