Leave it to chance: when the choice is no longer ours to make

 

Since I began blogging in 2010, of all the topics I’ve covered in my posts, the vast majority revolve around a common theme: choice. Obviously, there are circumstances beyond our control—our best friend moves away, our spouse severs ties, we lose our job or we become ill. But, we still have a choice (see “It starts with a choice”): how we react to XYZ. If someone insists they don’t have a choice, then what they really mean is they lack determination, resolve, backbone. Free will. Bottom line: Even when we choose not to make a choice, it’s still a choice. When I went back to school as a non-traditional student to pursue my bachelor’s degree, I chose to embark on a new career path. Nearly a decade later, I feel, at times, that my age is a stumbling block to future growth, change. Yet the biggest obstacle is that one day the choice will no longer be mine to make.

What choice do you leave to chance?

Photo courtesy of marin at FreeDigitalPhotos.net.

You are not defined by your past: stay rooted in the present

 

When you start to make the right decisions and pieces of your life begin to fall into place (see Falling into place… ): beware. This is also when the curve balls (may) start to fly. At least that’s been my experience over the past several weeks. And I don’t believe it’s a coincidence that every time I think I’ve got my bases covered, certain issues continue to bubble to the surface, threatening to define me and, in turn, undermine progress I’ve made in the areas of self-improvement, relational growth and my vocational aspirations. Here’s the scoop: When you’re assaulted with reminders of your past failures, know that you are not the sum of your mistakes, your poor choices or the number of times you’ve been struck out. In fact, each time you replay your past creates a stumbling block—and hinders present and future growth. Don’t allow the past to rob you of today. You’re an MVP: start believing it.

How do you stay rooted in the present?

Photo courtesy of amenic181 at FreeDigitalPhotos.net.

Change your thought patterns, change your life

 

In my recent post, “Be a miracle worker…,” I list a few examples of what self-improvement might look like, and I introduce a need to focus on my personal growth. For me, this means making changes to my everyday approach to life, including a radical shift in my thought patterns. Plus, I must look at the long-term with an open mind. These aren’t new epiphanies yet, during a recent hike, they materialized in a more profound way. Every several hundred feet, I’d look up from the rock-strewn path to the cerulean skies above. The mountaintops towered over me, reminders of how tiny I am… the fragility of life. And that instead of lamenting the stumbling blocks and detours on my journey, it’s essential to express gratitude for my daily blessings. When we shift our gaze on the things we’re thankful for, we have less time to “see” the disappointments. And sometimes what we think we want is nothing compared to what awaits.

What thought pattern can you change?