Reflections of The Strawberry

Reflections of The Strawberry 

By  Katherine Aguilar 

Reflecting on my chapters of The Strawberry, I realize that all the trinkets I have gathered throughout my life have made me who I am today—a writer, sister, and substitute, plus whatever other jobs have come my way. I was placed in each position for a reason. If I misunderstood the message I was hearing from God. He made it work, and I have been used to live for others and not for myself. That may sound as if I feel like I have sacrificed what direction my life had taken had things not turned out how they have so far, when I was in all those years back. Feeling alone and forgotten. I cried out to God. He answered, and When he told me I would never walk alone." I knew He meant it, and I haven't felt alone ever since. Life has been a rollercoaster. I have friends and family come and go. At times, they come back again. People will come and go in my life.   I know the one person who will not go is God.  

Life is what you make it at this moment. I call myself retired, which is funny because I work five days a week. It's a reminder that a change in mindset can bring happiness and motivation. I was so used to working seven days a week. It is annoying when people say, "Just think of how much money you are saving!" I start laughing. I am like, what money? I worked that much to run away from issues going on in my life. I worked at jobs because I actually liked the people I worked for. Not because I got paid a lot of money. Work was my social outing. I now work five days a week. I kind of don't know what to do with the   

 two days off. It almost feels like someone is expecting me to go on vacation every weekend. That is not happening.  

Set expectations

Set expectations for what you want out of your life. People will never be satisfied. People will always find a way to complain about something. It is a chain. Yes, it is a Chain. People have locked minds set in their heads. They are chained to it.  

The other day, a courier went to work.   I asked, "How are you doing today?! She says IT'S HOT! I am ready for it to be over with." My reply was. "So you are ready to die!?" She said, "No, I want to live!" I then told her. "So you are not ready for it to be over! Then change how you think!" You have a family, friends, a home, etc. What more do you want?! You already have it all. She stopped and thought for a moment. She said, "I do have it all!" I told her When you change how you think, you will be much happier. She left feeling happy, for she realized. She had nothing to complain about. 

Not the Big moments 

It is not big moments in life that people remember the most. It is the simplest moments, for they are the most real. These small encounters, like passing someone at a coffee shop or grocery store, can plant meaningful seeds in us. Recognizing these moments fosters gratitude and a sense of connection in the audience.

I have heard the saying, "They are too old to change." People are never too old for self-improvement. I consider myself to be writing self-improvement. I am still placing the pieces of the puzzle of writing together to form the message I am trying to write. When I realize it. The way I write is part of who I am. I cover various topics all in one chapter, which flow in my mind at the time of writing. It makes what I am writing real and raw. What you are reading is pretty much who I am.  

Open to Correction

The other day, a person pointed out to me that I covered about six topics all in one conversation. They put it this way: I was talking and expecting them to grasp all the topics at once. The person was an adult, but they explained it as if they were students in kindergarten and I was speaking at a high school and college level. They were trying to catch up with what I was saying. I didn't realize I did this. I told them next time to tell me to "Pause". That I would not be offended. I am not too old to learn to correct myself. So now that is my cue to pause. I now do self-correction. When I am speaking with people, I want them to join in the topic. I realize I am not that way in writing. When I write, it flows as it goes through my mind. 

Still open to correction. That is a valuable trinket. 

Changing with a few words

You can change someone's life with just a few words or just one word. In The Strawberry, I have written a few key words that have helped me in my life. You likely have IMPACT words you use daily without realizing their power. Recognizing this can empower you to be a positive influence on others.  

IMPACT

Be the IMPACT a person needs to change the world for the better.   Remember, keeping ideas, thoughts, and words to yourself is not good. Go start throwing seeds around.