Thoughts on Choice

Sometimes things happen in life that are beyond your control. Life is like the proverbial roller coster. There are parts that are smooth and seemingly easy, while at other times they are chaotic and maybe even scary. Much of the chaos and fear are created within our minds. Are we not the ones who put ourselves in the situations we get into? For example, maybe you are in constant fear of not having enough money. Well, look at the situation you are in. Do you have a mortgage or rent? Did you not agree to that amount of money you owe? Do you have a credit card? Were you not the one who agreed to the terms when you signed up for the card or handed it over to the store clerk to be scanned and used? If you said no to any of those questions I challenge you to take a better look at those answers. There is always the option of saying  "no" or finding an alternative solution to our needs.

We are the ones who create our situations, although, I can imagine there are many who will disagree with me. Again, if you disagree with me, I challenge you to look at your choices. Where was it that you did not have a choice in your life? I can think of a few scenarios where this would be the case and they are pretty grim: you were born into a war torn area or an area of conflict, you were abused (sexual, physical, verbal, or all the above) as a child, rape, or kidnapping. I'm sure there are other extremes, and even with these I'm sure these experiences have shaped you into who you are. Can you imagine being who you are without these experiences?

Perhaps this goes deeper then when I began. We are certainly shaped by our experiences. As a child we are completely dependent on our parents to supply us with everything we need. I have even heard people state that all our life lessons begin with our parents. They will teach us everything we need to know. So, certainly, many of our early experiences shape who we are and drive us onto a specific path, but then there are the individual choices we make that define who we are. These small choices are the like fine details we can't always see on a piece of artwork from far away. It is only when we come closer to the artwork that we can see them. The same goes for the life we are leading. When we look at the details of our life, we can see how the choices we make affect and alter our life. In this way, we shape and control life.

But then, there are those things that the universe/god seems to throw at us from left field and we have almost re-wire our brain to accept them and move forward with life. However, I think even here we have a choice and maybe even a warning that life was going to throw a wrench in the plan. Maybe we just weren't listening.

Life is always changing. It is the only constant. How we choose to react to that change can affect us deeply. Each of us has the decision on how to react what is going on in life. You have the choice to react negatively or to find the positive and maybe even learn something from the situation thrown at you.

Where you walk is in your hands.

Is This the Year of Magical Change?

I know there is a lot of talk of 2012. This is not what this blog post is about. I am merely reflecting on what has taken place in my life and the lives of those around me. I've noticed a pattern and that is change. I know that everything is always changing, be it small or large. However, what I seem to be noticing is that change is everywhere. It is filling the corners and cracks of everyone this year and it is only mid-April.

So, is it the year of change? Is it the year of magical change? I think the answer to that differs depending on who you ask. For me personally, the answer to that is yes. I've had some extreme changes happen in my life that began in January of 2011 and I feel has mellowed out this month. That is a long expanse of time for extreme changes to be taking place. Now, I'm beginning to see it in others as well. I will admit that change could've have been happening to others when it began occurring for me last year, but I wouldn't have noticed it. I was too engrossed in my own stuff. It could also be that those "seeds of change" were planted last year and now we are finally seeing the growth, the outcome. Whatever it may be, we all seems to be in a time of flux.

Is it good for you? Or is it bad? If you would've asked me last year if I thought my change was good I would've answered with a resounding "NO." Now that things have calmed down and I get to see the real outcome of that change my answer is an ecstatic "YES." I think it depends on where you are with your process if you like the change you are seeing in your life. Even if you don't, know that it won't always be like it is. You may look back on it at some later point in time and realize that the change was a good one. If you believe this, give yourself a pat on the back for the growth you've allowed yourself to accomplish. But, if you are still bitter about something that has forced changed upon you, ask yourself why? Why are you still bitter? What was it about that particular moment in your life that you are so attached to? Is it an idea of yourself? Are you ready or willing to accept it?

No matter what the change, it is in the air. It is part of the season of full blooming spring. It is part of what will happen this year (all the predictions aside). I can feel the change and I have been a part of the change and change continues to happen as I see ways in which to fine tune my life. I open the experience to you as well no matter where you are in the process of change.

If you are just beginning, know that you are not alone in your journey. There will always be someone you can reach out to you just have to know and be willing to ask. If you are already on the journey of change. You may not know where you are going currently, but you know it is some where good. You've trusted in yourself this far, so continue that trust a little further. Or if you have already concluded your journey and you can look back on everything you've accomplished.

You are ready for the next journey.