Monday, July 16, 2012

IT'S YOUR CHOICE


It is past half way! I don’t really know why I forgot to update my blog again. But hey, I’m here again, earnestly writing a topic to unfold. It is laughably easy to forget to stop and take stock of how far we have come in our lives. “No matter where you go, there you are.” ~Confucius. All of us are and will be in crossroads no matter where life gets us into. What we are now and in the future MAY or MAY NOT be the one we have imagined and dreamed to have or to do. I tried to rest a bit, yet I have a lot in mind to talk about.  Often, life experiences, happenings are the most valuable things that I really want to scribble about. I’ve been contemplating criticisms lately.

It's one thing to feel that you are on the right path, but it's another to think that yours is the only path." -- Paulo Coelho 

We all know that each of us have been questioned about choices, beliefs and feelings.  I have been criticized for the path in life I have been called to walk. I live my life the way I wanted to without worrying about what others think of me. I've felt the "who cares what people think" phrase misguided for years, and it's potentially very dangerous. What we present to the world and how people view us is VERY important. It affects how we relate with friends, family, co-workers and any one who happens to see us frequently. No, we shouldn't change with the wind and falsely live our lives for others, but valuable, sometimes, harsh criticism can be important to consider. While the phrase is meant to deter bullies and those with harmful motives, it can block one from growth. It can make one very defensive to any negativity, inflating egos and leading to very bad decisions. As an extension of this, or I've also found I have a choice in accepting what I feel is beneficial to my growth, so if that means it feels deep down that I am challenged by criticisms, but I reflect and check out if there is something in it, then I can accept it for what it is as a reflection, if it doesn’t feel right then I let it go and pass me by.  The same as if I feel someone else praise or adoration, etc is truthful I will choose to embrace it. I think caring what others think is a natural part of being human -- everyone wants to belong and feel loved and paying attention to how others receive us is a natural extension of that. I think the thing to be careful of when caring what other people think is how much importance you give it. For instance, I can care what you think of me, but when I allow that to take precedence over how I think about myself, then I'm in trouble. The important thing is that we don’t let caring about people or circumstances detract from our ability to care for ourselves.Sometimes someone else’s criticism contains a valuable lesson. Sometimes someone who seems like a jerk really needs someone to take a chance on him (or her). Sometimes someone else’s choices help us illuminate the path we really want to take. But oftentimes, those who disagree with the path we have been called to walk try so hard to dissuade us because they believe in their hearts their path is the right path (aka, the "only" path). The practice is to know (in our hearts) that, for them, it is the right path because they are on it and, at the same time, have the courage and conviction to continue to walk in the direction we are being called. I guess with regards to my relationships with friends and my family, it is essential to care for myself as they care for me. With their guidance, support and love, I can be able to choose which path to take. What I know is that it is never too late to begin living our own lives, being who we are -- we just have to listen to that voice within that never lies and take the first step and then the next step and then the next one. Be at peace in knowing that GOD knows how to get you to your unique point of destination, which is that sacred and precious moment you arrive at fully being who you are.

As long as I believe, I WILL DREAM! BELIEVE! SURVIVE!

-dyoyzee-

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