Sometimes you come to a fork in the road because you’ve created it for yourself; sometimes the fork is created for you.
In lieu of focusing this next post on health, wellness, nutrition, etc., I am making the focus on “the fork in the road” and the decisions we all must face at some point in our lives – decisions related to certain life events common to all of us – moving, marriage, new job, birth of a child, loss of a parent, a poor economy or a loss of a job. Any number of things can shake-up our lives and knock us off our otherwise steady feet. That’s not a reason to hide away or waive the flag. If anything, it should only make the fire inside of you burn hotter and brighter than the fire around you.
The Gist
As of May 20th my life and the lives of my family and friends suddenly changed. I unexpectedly lost my job due to “budget cuts” (the quotes are intentional and yes, there is subtext – but anyone reading the media reports already knows the how’s, the why’s, and the who’s). I need not say a word. Wait for my book to come out and the story will reveal itself. 🙂
Rising Above & Letting the Garbage Roll By
The point here, my friends, is this: Sometimes certain events or circumstances in our lives occur because of a celestial alarm – an intervention from some other force that violently, but quickly disrupts the familiar and routine homeostasis of life. At the moment it feels like sudden death or as if a black hole has swallowed you up never to return you to your life. Well, in reflecting, maybe that’s exactly what needs to happen in order to remove you from someplace you don’t belong. Not because you aren’t good enough, don’t possess value, aren’t successful, or don’t have skills. Quite the opposite – it may be because you place integrity over conformity, honesty over popularity, and truth and wisdom above political and personal agendas. In essence, you are a threat to those who lack those same characteristics and, God forbid, you hold them accountable. Do it anyway. Accountability leads to credibility. Never sacrifice your own credibility for the sake of someone’s less honorable desires or veiled threats. To quote my dad quoting Mark Twain (I think?), “Never wrestle with pigs. You’ll just get dirty and the pigs like it.”
Far, Wide & High (A Sue-ism from my dear friend and mentor)
If you find yourself in some situation that seems to have shattered the pieces of your life, sweep them up and start to make a new picture. You know what you can smell when you do that? Opportunity. Although I’m stuck in a gray area of my feelings juxtaposed with my freedom, nonetheless, I smell opportunity and it smells good! Think far, think high, and think wide at the potential yet to be cultivated.
Here’s to you and anyone that has ever been or will ever be faced with something similar. Stand tall. Stand proud. Stand brave. Confront the ugliness of the situation with your character and values and you will walk away intact – changed, but in tact and ready to start a new journey. Don’t think of it as having to choose to take a left or take a right at the fork in the road. Think of it as a leap of faith – faith in yourself, your instincts, your skills, knowledge, education, and character. No one – not even a bully in a three piece suit – will ever be able to take any part of you unless you surrender it. Don’t. Just don’t. Keep taking one step each day and breathing in and out and remember that whatever is done in the dark will always come to light. Be true to who you are and true to your beliefs.
Here’s to new beginnings and GIANT leaps of faith.
Until next time…Meet you at the Well.
0 Comments