You Can't Step Into the Same River Twice...

Some days I feel a bit like Pocahontas...not the historical Native American but rather the Disney princess who must choose her path in life. I only wish I had a kindly old Grandmother Willow to dole out sage advice! 

The Potomac River at Harper's Ferry

Every day we make choices, some are of little consequence...decaf or regular...black shoes or navy...but many choices we make will impact our direction in life...who we choose as friends and mates, our schools, our careers.

When we are young, we see a far off horizon, a world filled with seemingly endless possibilities, but each choice we make, means we leave another choice behind that cannot be revisited. We exponentially decrease our options every time we choose.

 I envision our life's journey as beginning by stepping onto a vast open landscape. As we walk, every path is open to us, but too soon the landscape changes, trees and hills block our view, rivers and ravines force us to change and alter our path until, as we approach the end of our journey, we find that we have few choices left to make, all the choices we have made have brought us to this very spot, our options are limited.

This is not to say we are "stuck" but as the number of options decrease; we cannot, for instance, decide in our 50's to become an Olympic high jumper, we must choose even more wisely!

So why does this make me feel like Pocahontas? Because I still want to see, "What's around the riverbend..."  I've never taken the smoothest  or safest course, but as I've matured I wonder how much risk can I still take. When does it become impractical to continue following  your dreams? When should you settle and be safe? Where is the tipping point? This is one of life's grand mysteries, different for each person, and no Grandmother Willow can give you the right answer, other than follow your heart!

Own your choices, make them because they are the best choices for you, and good or bad, realize that each choice and outcome shape you into who you are, today.

“Today is your day, your mountain is waiting. So get on your way.” - Dr. Seuss

Be Well!