<?xml version="1.0" encoding="UTF-8" standalone="yes"?><oembed><version><![CDATA[1.0]]></version><provider_name><![CDATA[Sithy Things]]></provider_name><provider_url><![CDATA[https://aggiesprite.wordpress.com]]></provider_url><author_name><![CDATA[LC Aggie Sith]]></author_name><author_url><![CDATA[https://aggiesprite.wordpress.com/author/aggiesprite/]]></author_url><title><![CDATA[Reflections]]></title><type><![CDATA[link]]></type><html><![CDATA[<p>I&#8217;m not very good at looking inward. I try to just go along and do what needs or has to be done because there is no other alternative. When I was giving birth to Eldest, I dilated so fast, I had to start pushing without the aid of an epidural. I had no choice in the matter! I see Life in pretty much the same way. One can reflect on alternatives that are available, but I usually fall back on Occam&#8217;s Razor™. The simplest solution is usually the best one.</p>
<p><a href="https://aggiesprite.files.wordpress.com/2012/05/water-drops.png"><img data-attachment-id="1845" data-permalink="https://aggiesprite.wordpress.com/2012/05/19/reflections/water-drops/" data-orig-file="https://aggiesprite.files.wordpress.com/2012/05/water-drops.png" data-orig-size="374,506" data-comments-opened="1" data-image-meta="{&quot;aperture&quot;:&quot;0&quot;,&quot;credit&quot;:&quot;&quot;,&quot;camera&quot;:&quot;&quot;,&quot;caption&quot;:&quot;&quot;,&quot;created_timestamp&quot;:&quot;0&quot;,&quot;copyright&quot;:&quot;&quot;,&quot;focal_length&quot;:&quot;0&quot;,&quot;iso&quot;:&quot;0&quot;,&quot;shutter_speed&quot;:&quot;0&quot;,&quot;title&quot;:&quot;&quot;}" data-image-title="water drops" data-image-description="" data-medium-file="https://aggiesprite.files.wordpress.com/2012/05/water-drops.png?w=222" data-large-file="https://aggiesprite.files.wordpress.com/2012/05/water-drops.png?w=374" class="aligncenter size-full wp-image-1845" title="water drops" src="https://aggiesprite.files.wordpress.com/2012/05/water-drops.png?w=374&#038;h=506" alt="" width="374" height="506" srcset="https://aggiesprite.files.wordpress.com/2012/05/water-drops.png 374w, https://aggiesprite.files.wordpress.com/2012/05/water-drops.png?w=111&amp;h=150 111w, https://aggiesprite.files.wordpress.com/2012/05/water-drops.png?w=222&amp;h=300 222w" sizes="(max-width: 374px) 100vw, 374px" /></a></p>
<p>Sometimes, it fails. That&#8217;s usually when I do have to take the time to reflect on the various possibilities available to me, either to grow, or to find happiness, or to deal with loss and pain. I am not one to ask myself if I&#8217;m happy. I assume I am since my family is doing well, and there are no major calamities wreaking havoc in our lives. Usually that is enough for me. But for the rest, I do take the time to analyze what has to be done. Sometimes going the simplest route is not an option.</p>
<p>I suppose the trick is in knowing when to cut to the heart of the problem, and when to carefully trim away the excess. I&#8217;m still learning, and trying to do what is best for everyone. It will be a long time before I can make decisions solely based on me. Being part of a family precludes that luxury. But in the end, it&#8217;s totally worth it 🙂</p>
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