TO DECIDE OR NOT TO DECIDE

In life there are some decisions we make and some decisions life makes for us.

We can either become victims to the decisions life makes for us or we can decide to be victorious over what life has decided for us.

There are times in life when we can set goals and prioritize our schedules. There are also times in life when priorities and goals are dramatically altered by unscheduled occurrences.

Very few of life’s decisions remain unaltered and sometimes need a complete overhaul.

Since long ago I became aware that most of what I think and say has been thought and said by many others. I, therefore, am sure that the statements with which I have opened this week’s Thought will have probably been said in one way or another by someone, somewhere. However, the unplanned events of the last couple of weeks (Kathleen having an appendectomy) have brought thoughts about how much of life we are really in control and how much of life we are just part of the ebbing of life’s tides.

CHILDHOOD:

I didn't really have much to say about where I lived, but I did have control over how much of my environment I was going to enjoy.

I didn't really have much to say about what meals were put on the table, but I had a lot to say about how much of those meals I would eat.

I didn't really have much to say about the schools where I was to receive my elementary education, but I did have a lot of control of how much education I would take from those schools.

I didn't really have much to say about my church affiliation, but I did have a lot to say about how much faith I was gaining in its tenets.

TEENHOOD:

I cannot always control the mobs and masses which begin to surround me, but I can select those among the many I wish to make part of the influences in my life.

I cannot always control what and how a teacher teaches, but I can control what I choose to learn.

I cannot always control the level of language which invades my spaces, but I can control the language which fills my mind and leaves my mouth.

I cannot always control the choices which even my closest friends are making, but I can control my degree of involvement in those choices.

ADULTHOOD:

I may not be able to determine the declarations of governments, but I am able to determine my reactions to those declarations.

I may not be able to avoid the consequences of the ways others use their agency, but I am able to control the degree of bitterness or anger stimulated in me by those events.

I may not be able to fulfill all of my dreams and ambitions, but I am able to control the amount of fulfillment I have in the roles I have been given to play.

I may not be able to make my mountain of minutia as large as I would like, but I can like the stuff I have.

EXPERIENCEHOOD:

I will not have a lot to say about the adjustments my body makes as it ages, but I can make an adventure out of adjusting.

I will not have a lot to say about the friends of youth going the way of all the earth, but I can enjoy those who are still on the upper side of the grass.

I will not have a lot to say about the reversing of parent and child roles, but I can be supportive of those who are finding their way in their new roles.

I will not have a lot to say about the repetition of generational mistakes, but I can strive to ease their burden by not becoming burdensome.

GENERALHOOD:

Just because the whole world seems to be rushing toward decay I can choose to keep my small corner of existence clean, well nurtured and alive.

Just because some find a necessity to pray only when the plane is plummeting I can choose to have continual communication with my Father.

Just because others find it difficult to testify of the reality of Eternal Truths doesn't mean I can't become a publisher of peace.

Just because others choose a shortsighted selfish way of life doesn't mean I can't dedicate my life to bringing joy and happiness to others.

When all is said – agency remains paramount – we all make the final decision on all that is decided in our lives!!