Choices

Choices
by tammie renea

We are born into a world of choices
Naturally and innocently following our hearts
Curiosity leads to discovery
Play is passionate and inspires invention
Each new day is an adventure,
an exploration of unseen lands
Each sunrise is worth waking for
Each day promises something new and meaningful
We are who we are
without comparing ourselves to others
The world is abundant
Love and friendship are plentiful

Then, somewhere along the way
Life becomes serious and complex
We are swallowed by conformity
and allow our heart's desires to be cast aside
Curiosity dwindles
Play becomes a waste of time and inspires guilt
Passion is no longer acceptable
Each sunrise brings dread and promises emptiness
Love is limited and friendship is conditional

Early in life, we are taught how to view the world
Our earliest connections prepare us for our life's journey
We choose our paths based on what we've learned
We may choose a path of
optimism, compassion, sharing, giving and abundance
or we may choose a path of
pessimism, skepticism, fear, judgment, and selfishness

It is our choice, and we are responsible for our choices.
We are responsible for how we choose to live
each moment of our lives
We make mistakes,
and we choose whether or not we will learn from them
Some mistakes will be of little harm,
while others will profoundly alter the lives of ourselves and others
We may carry the burden of guilt,
or we may forgive and let go...
it is our choice

We can choose to travel the high road or the low road,
the dry, desolate route,
or the beautiful, scenic route.
Regardless of yesterday's circumstances,
today offers new opportunities...and renewed hope

Challenges will always be a part of life.
How we meet those challenges is up to us.
We can choose to view the world as we think we are expected to view it,
or we can experience it in our own, unique way.