How to make better life choices

Life choices had not been easy for Emily. She sat in the garden remembering the mistakes she had made when she was young; but life had taught her not to regret. There was no sense in regretting. It didn’t change anything. Her life choices as a young girl seemed somewhat silly now that she was viewing them through the eyes of an 80-year-old woman; nevertheless, she had learnt over the years to accept herself and her past and managed to use it to make her life better.

Life choices for Richard were somewhat different. He was here in this slummy cell for the 20th time. This time it was for stealing while on probation. What seemed like his millionth probation. Life sucked and his life choices sucked. He had grown up with his brothers and had everything, so he couldn’t cry poor boy, hard done by. One day he just decided to pinch a car with his mates. He was a bit drunk at the time, just a bit, and that’s where it all started.

Life choices for Cecily were also not easy. She had decided to give up her job to look after Ma and Pa. They were old and becoming incapable. She loved them dearly and it was hard to see them this way. They had forgone much and made many difficult life choices to bring her up and this was the least she could do for them in their old age. So Cecily did the shopping, took them to the doctors, explained to Dad when he couldn’t remember for the 30th time that it was John who had visited and brought him the Garden tool because he still loved to do a bit of gardening in his spare time.

We always have the choice to disconnect from what is holding us back.

‘Pour me another drink Alan, please,’ came Margaret’s voice, loud and clear, through the halls of Campbell House. ‘Yes, madame,’ came the prompt reply. Alan had worked for Margaret for 20 years now and his job had given him a good life. He had made many good choices and in effect was also a rich man, saving his money over the years and taking it easy. Margaret was a good boss. She was generous with her staff as much as with her husband and children. The grandchildren burst into the room and Margaret stooped to greet them. Her husband was downstairs in their gym and the kids (her kids) by the pool. No one knew the life choices Margaret had made to be there. They saw a stylish, rich woman happily celebrating Christmas with her family. Indeed, she had been lucky.

Now what about you, my reader? What have your life choices been? Where are you now as you are reading this? Are you happy? Are you balanced? Or are you fearful and afraid of life? Which is it? What have been your life choices over the years? Were they good ones How did they serve you? Did they serve you? Maybe not. Reflect.

It’s never too late, you know, to do a U-turn. Life is not a street with no turns. If you are not happy, you have the choice. You have the power in your hands to make your whole life different. Whether you are 16 or 65 reading this, while there is life there is hope. Hope for a brighter, better future. Hope for a different future. Even if your life choices have been pretty good until now, they could perhaps still be better. It’s no good regretting. It’s no good beating yourself up for the things you didn’t do, for the opportunities missed. Move on!

Now, at this time of the year, you still have the time to reflect. Sit a few minutes and take a look where you want to be this time next year. What is your dream? What would you like to be doing?

Every morning, it’s your choice: what to wear that day, which way to comb your hair, what to take for lunch, whether to go to work or not, whether to stay in the same city, the same job. We think we have to do it a certain way but we don’t have to do things the same way. We are not stuck unless we want to be. We always have the choice to disconnect from what is holding us back. It may not be easy but it is our life choice to make.

So what is in your heart yearning to grow, for you to become better – in your own eyes? Where do you want to be next year? Write it down. That is your first goal for the year ahead. Don’t worry if it looks too hard or too far away. Have faith and start to take one action at a time to make the life choices that will bring you love, joy and fulfilment.