Choices

We make choices everyday. Some of these are of no consequence - and others can be life changing. This week I have made both kinds and rather spectacularly, some have not been the best decisions either.

CHOICE ONE
Last week I received tickets to listen to a band. As the hype built up over the following days, so did my decision to go. I changed my attitude from being nonplussed - to actually attending. The problem was the venue. I had never been to a venue like that before because of my faith and beliefs. So why did I do it? After a few days of healthy self-reflection, the only logical reason I came come up with is 'peer pressure'. Yep, forty years old and still making choices based on not what others would think about me - because at forty I simply don't care anymore - but choices based on an invite to somewhere I would never have gone to before, by someone whose respect I value. The choice to attend this gig compromised my lifelong standards.What did I learn? I learnt that this choice, although the wrong one in so many ways - helped me solidify my standards yet again. Some choices help remind us of better ones made before.

CHOICE TWO
I have been living with a tooth problem for about three years. I had a root canal done in 2006 and a bit of the filling cracked and it was never the same again. Every now and then I would have a terrible toothache that I medicated with whatever I had, usually painkillers. A couple of months ago, an abcess developed that I found some penicillan that seemed to reduce the size and the pain. This week, I was quietly celebrating to myself that I could chew chewing gum on side of my mouth. So away I chew..... and glunk - out came the filling in my tooth that used to sit on top of the site of my root canal. Needless to say, a trip to the dentist, the very place I was trying to avoid - became a necessity - and no longer a choice. I learnt that some choices need to be made while we still have freedom to do so....

CHOICE THREE
I was part of a panel that was appointing a senior management role where I work and we narrowed the search to two candidates. I went with my gut feeling as to the quality of the applicant and my opinion was based on that. Some choices require trust in your own instincts and the value of good advice.

CHOICE FOUR
I had a report due this week and was running late. After being off work for two days, I decided to stay at work longer and write it before coming home. I had previously arranged to be home by 7pm  however when I checked the clock, I still had a bit of my report to go and it was already just past 7pm. In that instance I made the choice to stay at work and complete my report. I got the report done, but by then it was almost 9pm. I rang the boys and asked them why they hadn't called? Their father got on the phone and reported that there had been a power cut and the boys had been sitting in the dark for a couple of hours, sitting around with candles - and no way of contacting me.  Was my report worth having my two babies that I love more than life sitting in the dark without their mother? Some choices are are between good and better. My sons have to become the better choice for me!!

CHOICE FIVE
Yesterday my husband and I finally decided that we are going to get another car. He has traditionally chosen every vehicle we have owned for the last twenty years. However, he has finally decided that we will be deciding together what car we drive this year - and I cannot wait. I haven't owned a new car since, since, since - forever. This particular decision is the culmination of 20 years of car choosing domination that I am finally being let into. Some choices take patience ;-)

I am going to work on making better choices this week. I wish you well with yours.

Yours in friendship,

Mxox