What If???

As a writer, inspiration often emerges from the most unexpected places. It may come from my surroundings or by the emotions I am feeling at the time. Sometimes, a mere word or phrase can set my creative gears in motion, compelling me to express what is stirring within.

Recently I was watching the movie "Letters to Juliet" with my sister Judy, and a particular quote, delivered by Vanessa Redgrave, not only resonated deeply, it hit me in my core - I couldn't sleep that night thinking about it. The quote went like this: "What" and "if" – two words individually non-threatening, but when paired, they possess an uncanny ability to linger, to haunt, and to accompany us for a lifetime. "What if? What if? What if?" Damn, Damn, Damn, like an arrow to the heart!

And so, in the wake of those two simple words, my mind started to wander through the maze of possibilities. What if I had chosen to go to college instead of getting married at 18 years old? (no, I was not pregnant!) What if I had found the Atkins Diet at 14 years old instead of 41 (thank you, Karen!)? What if I had the strength to say "no" to the narcissist who held me "captive" for 24 years? What if I hadn't experienced the heartache of a miscarriage? What if I had ventured out that fateful night, avoiding the tragedy of a home invasion? What if I had resisted the pull of California and caring for my aging father? What if I remained silent, merely to preserve family harmony? What if I had insisted on an written offer, instead of trusting words alone? What if I had embraced my intrinsic self-worth, rather than surrendering to the judgements of others? What if I summoned the courage to reclaim my power, to be unapologetically me, genuine, resolute and demanding more because I knew I deserved it? What if?

It's these moments of introspection where we confront the ghosts of opportunities missed and choices made. We're reminded that this journey we are on is threaded with uncertainty - what ifs - lurking around every corner. They haunt us, they challenge us, but they also invite us to explore the endless possibilities that are waiting for us...

What if - you started at this very moment - to rewrite your story, carve a new path and embrace a life that truly reflects what you desire and truly deserve...it's never too late for a new What If...

#WhatIf #Reflections #SelfWorth #GoHappyYourself