I Guess I Haven't Learned That Yet: Discovering New Ways of Living When the Old Ways Stop Working

by Shauna Niequist

I’m old enough to realize we don’t get everything. We don’t get an unlimited number of do-overs or fresh starts. There are some options that do, at some point, close for good. I’m probably never going to be a ballerina or a chef or a cast member on SNL—I think those ships have sailed. But there are still a lot of ships in the harbor, to extend the metaphor. There are a thousand places on this earth my eyes have never seen. There are people who will change my life, somewhere down the road, whom I haven’t even met yet. There’s work I’ll do that I can’t even imagine right now. There’s more to learn, more to taste, more to discover. There’s more to experience, more to leave behind, more to grasp with both hands. And I’m going to. I’m going to keep walking, keep loving, keep writing, keep praying. I’m going to keep learning, keep forgiving, keep apologizing, keep moving forward. I’m going to keep inviting, keep listening, keep opening my arms to all of life—terrible and beautiful. There are meals to savor and faces to fall in love with. There are sunsets to watch like movies and songs to dance to in the kitchen—maybe this kitchen, maybe six kitchens from now—who knows? I don’t. That’s for sure. I know less and less and less. But I feel more. I believe more. I trust more deeply in the goodness of our God than I ever have. I’m more aware of the darkness, and more grateful for the light. I’m walking away, in search of another dream, another adventure, another chance to open my hea...