Revelation time

There have been a few regrets stewing inside me, that I have found it difficult to transcend. Tonight though, I think that I got a handle on one big one. I have felt that other peoples' lives are somehow a testament to better decisions than my own. I felt this acutely when my neighbor kept waxing philosophically about her ex in a way that practically sainted him. She went on and on about what good choices they made for their children, and what a great relationship they share now...it was a bit hard to take, when she has nothing good to say about my ex at all. Not that I hold her as a standard of virtue, or as someone who has made amazing choices...but I do not want to get side tracked...her opinion led me to think about the things that I believe I have not had the opportunity to experience because of the things that have happened in my own relationship. I feel as though I have lived with more misery than joy. But then, the turning point came for me when a series of small things occurred....sending a message to a few people on Facebook.looking at so many " friends" looking so glowingly happy with their significant other in heir costumes for Carnival, and my little one watching Superman and telling me that this is the new interest for them. It dawned on me that I have the liberty,and the power to make my life my own,on my own terms. It woun't look like other people's lives. But I can certainly fill it with love and anticipation, beauty and my idea of success. I almost laughed out loud. Of course. It was so easy to be dragged along by what the world insists is the way that things should go. But is that really the only way? Of course not.