Life’s Directions
August 24th, 2010Life can take us in many different directions. We also get opportunities to decide which directions we might take.
I was thinking about this a lot last week. I decided to post a “direction” question on Facebook each day and see what people responded.
The questions where: left or right; up or down; forward or backward; yes or no.
Lately with having to stop being an athlete I feel as if I’m headed in a direction I didn’t decide on. What I DO get to decide on is what direction(s) I take from here.
Do I decide to go left or right? Do I go left and follow the path of no training and lots of rest? Or do I go right and just keep training and rest a bit more than I use to?
Do I decide to go up or down? Do I stay up and keep a positive attitude and trust that at the end of this I will be in a better place? That something good will come out of this time? Or do I get down and wallow in self pity? Do I think life sucks and why me, my life is over?
Do I decide forward or backward? Do I look forward and believe in what lies before me is exactly what I need to do and where I need to be? Or do I look backwards and kick myself in the @$$ for not realizing that something was wrong sooner? For not taking more time off after the Ironman, for not……the list goes on?
Do I decide yes or no? Do I say yes to what is being suggested I do? Do I say yes to the new and different adventure I’m on as my body heals? Or do I say NO! I’m not going to listen to anyone and I’m going to do it MY way and the heck with you all! Or….. is it that I say No to exercise and Yes to resting and recovery?
There are so many moments in life, both big and small, where we get to choose the direction we will take. We are constantly deciding the ups and downs, yes and nos, left and rights, forwards and backwards. They come at us, and we don’t even know they’re there. We just decide. And then there are the times when life leads us in the direction we didn’t really want, and we take some time to think, and then make the decision on how we are going to be.
It’s not always easy. It’s not always pretty. And sometimes we might decide one thing and then switch our minds….but the beauty of life is, that we do have the chance to choose. We do have the chance to be.
Just be-ing
Awesome thoughts. I am thinking of you and wish you patience and faith that you will find your comfort zone. Maybe it’s not an “or” decision. Maybe it’s a bit of both, depending on what you need at the time.
I feel much the same. At a crossroad. I am moving in directions that I never imagined I would. I have come to the conclusion that you take one step at a time and you eventually get there (where?, is the question).
I like what Janet said. Athletes are so used to “black and white” in a race. “If I’d only done…” “That one choice cost me…” It’s hard sometimes to adjust that train thought in life. Gray areas are sometimes the best places for an “oh, yeah. All decisions don’t have be rushed. Some are right and left because their paths cross later or reasons you will never know.” That’s the fun of it. All the best!
oops didn’t mean to leave it anonymous!