There are immediate yesterdays and distant yesterdays.
I’ve been immersed in the distant yesterdays of the 1700s. Maria Theresa succeeded King Charles, her father, when he died in 1740 and became queen of Hungary and Bohemia and the Archduchess of Austria at 23 years old. Fredrick the Great, ruler of Prussia, was her fierce adversary.
I’m riveted to Nancy Goldstone’s book, In the Shadow of the Empress. It has taught me more about the players in the history of that period than any schoolroom class ever did.
The story causes me to reflect back on who I was at 23 years old. It’s an embarrassing journey. At that age, I was no more capable of ruling a vast kingdom than I was of making good decisions for my own life.
The painful years of early adulthood bled over into my 30s and 40s until I finally refused to do it that way anymore. At 42, I took control, sent myself back to college, and finished a Bachelor-of-Science degree.
That was a major turning point. I gained confidence, self-respect, and a path to financial independence.
In Paul McCartney’s hit song, Yesterday, he acknowledges that his troubles seemed so far away. In the second verse, he admits that yesterday came suddenly, and in the third, he longs for yesterday. The song culminates as he needs a place to hide away. That place, of course, is yesterday. There was a soul stuck in the past.
It’s easy, as I age, to lose myself in remembering. I mean, after 74 years, there’s a lot of water under the bridge. Oceans, in fact. There was much turbulence, and at times, I nearly drowned. But I recall best the stretches of fair winds and blue skies. Joyous days. Epic adventures. Love and belonging.
The challenge now is to keep the story moving forward, to continue to dream and believe those dreams into being. The vision has to be big enough and juicy enough to excite me, like building my house did, because, frankly, there’s not enough energy for smallness.
Without a dream, I’m caught in saṃsāra, the five realms of hell the soul travels through after death. I could be a happy Buddhist if it weren’t for the final scenario of that belief system!
So…
It’s time for a new plan, a project. I have no clarity as to what that looks like, but I’m leaning toward adventure. However, I do know with certainty that I’m nowhere near ready to dwell in the past, no matter how glorious. Yesterdays belong to yesterday.
writing for self-discovery 
Nov 21, 2024 @ 11:57:30
I love my yesterdays as they have led to my todays. Plus my yesterdays gift me many memoirs. Stay well and happy.
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Nov 21, 2024 @ 12:00:03
So true. Some of my favorite yesterdays were at writers’ group surrounded by your art. I’m loving the writing prompts!
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Nov 21, 2024 @ 12:39:23
I have a new studio manager starting work in January 2025. It is time to get back to painting as well as writing. Let’s hope there are enough hours in each day.
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Nov 21, 2024 @ 14:10:25
There will be if you make it so! Best of luck, it sounds exciting!
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Nov 21, 2024 @ 21:22:30
Hi Sheri,
My name is Cheryl I live in Queensland Australia. Thank you for your many post they made me laugh and cry. Bless you. You allow us in. I love your skill and the intimate way of letting us feel we know you through your writing.
I have been following your adventures for years now. Bali and South America and marvelling at your guts, your boundless curiosity and willingness to have a go.
When you were settling back into your original home town I thought this won’t last long. Soon you will need/must do something that gives you purpose. Allows you to grow and feel renewed.
I live by myself (widow for 24 years with two grown sons) 69 years old. I have been on a few adventures myself but now i am yearning for more.
I was raised a catholic, became an atheist but have always had a curiosity and interest in Buddhism and self discovery.
Two things I am about to dive into are –
1. Going to a Buddhist Temple nearby where I live. They have great workshops, I can volunteer. Whatever to learn more about this way of life
2. Diving into ‘The Work’ of Byron Katie. How did I miss her teachings? Introspection on steroids.
Yesterdays are dreamlike edits from an old movie to me. Not as exciting as what is waiting for us and I am ready to partake.
Good luck with your future endeavours.
Best wishes
Cheryl
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Nov 23, 2024 @ 10:26:30
I sent an email response to your much-appreciated comment. Thank you for reading and responding so beautifully.
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Nov 23, 2024 @ 03:57:45
Your new adventure will certainly be a step away from the ordinary and you never do anything by halves. I’ll enjoy seeing your next steps.
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Nov 23, 2024 @ 06:09:18
Thank you, Shane. I’ve dived into planning the trip – more exciting every moment!
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