Daisies and Bruises

“Live and learn” is a common enough phrase, but how often do we inspect it? The phrase is often paired with “experience,” that dreaded word we use when we’re trying to put a positive spin on a mistake. This past week has taught me that we can live and learn in good ways, too, believe it or not.

The feedback you gave me on my last two posts have put me in a better head space. After reviewing the faux documentary A Necessary Death as an extremely triggering film, some readers expressed interest in seeing the movie after reading my blog post. Alarmed, I considered removing my post, but first I asked you for advice. You awesome readers told me that what triggers me may not necessarily trigger other people and that some people might actually benefit from watching the movie since everyone is different. I realized that I’d been feeling overprotective of my readers and learned to let go a bit.

I also had a new living and learning experience today when I flipped back in my journal to find that my car crash was exactly one year ago today. Honestly, it feels like it happened over a year ago because of all the changes it brought forth.

After walking and taking the bus everywhere for a month as I adjusted to my car-free life, I decided to move closer to downtown. BEST DECISION EVER! The apartment I found is perfect for me and now I can say that not only do I love the building I’m in, I’ve made so many new friends as a result of making this place my home. Two out of the four tenants in my house have pugs. Not just dogs, PUGS. My third neighbour loves dogs and loves crafts and is the nicest and funnest person I’ve met in a long time. Within a month or two of moving here, I got my own puppy who turned into a further catalyst, propelling me to meet tons of other people in my new neighbourhood.

I can’t believe how much my life has improved as a result of my car accident. Of course, I hate having lost my car, but really, I think it was worth it. Instead of driving everywhere, now I walk or ride my bike, experiencing my city at a whole new level. Errands take me longer than they used to but now I feel less rushed and stressed by going at a slower pace. I have new friends that sneaked into my life in the most subtle of ways, making a profound impact over time.

There’s some proof for both you and I that the “bad” changes we experience — those events that are out of our control — can invite really good changes into our lives. Like I’ve said before, change is good, whether or not it feels good at the time. So now, a year older, I can recognize that living and learning doesn’t always have to mean something negative. By living, I’m learning that life is full of surprises and it is possible for those surprises to be good.

If we stick around long enough, we will see that even the bad changes over to good eventually. It might not always, but it does happen, and those good things make the bad easier to live with.

How has your life changed in the past year? Did any good come out of the bad?