Baggage Claim

In every marriage, there is baggage; from both sides. Some choose to travel light but many go with all their allowances plus more. They may bring along parents, siblings, their desires, wild dreams, give aways, set rules, traditions, pasts, likes, dislikes etc. which are very different from our own.

So far I was trying to unclaim the baggage from our marriage. It was too heavy for me to consider and seemed unncessary in many cases. I am sure my better half would say similar things about mine.

When I look back at our 11 years of marital bliss it is this baggage that has always caused a rift. As long as we ignored it the ship sailed smooth; but when we chose to discuss it, it sure rocked the boat.

So, what is the solution here?! Of course, claiming the baggage as your own! That's my lessons learned. It took me many years to accept that; but when I tried it, my burden became light.

At the end of life there should be no regrets. Generation passes, life moves on, kids will be in our shoes sooner or later, if we can't claim our baggage there is no way we can set a good role model for our children's marriage.

How much we saved or how big we lived will have absolutely no effect when we are all wrinkly and frail. How did we handle our luggage; did we handle it with care or we dragged it hard up and down, did we lose any valuables on the way, was there anything we could have done to make life better - would be the things our minds will return to. So when time is still in our hands, let's claim our baggage and set forth in the journey - rest of the way.

I once read, if we were all asked to bundle up our problems, all put them in a bucket and each of us were asked to pick one bundle from the bucket, most of us will be happy to claim our own bundle back. Isn't that ineteresting? So my baggage will seem heavy only until I check with yours; comparing with others, mine might not be so bad after all...

It's a wonderful life folks and we get only one chance to attempt it. Lets not let petty things spoil the fun. Trust me when we are ready to bear, Almighty cares and makes it easy & light!

Bon voyage!

"Praise be to the Lord, to God our Savior, who daily bears our burdens." - Psalm 68:19
"Come to me, all you who are weary and burdened, and I will give you rest... For my yoke is easy and my burden is light." - Mathew 11:28-30
"Carry each other's burdens, and in this way you will fulfill the law of Christ." - Galatians: 6:2