52 Weeks

As we return to the powerful idea that our every choice builds our being, that our every thought matters, that our every word plays a part in the way that our life ultimately turns out, we might begin to see some of the reason why taking responsibility for our lives is so scary. In some ways responsibility is linked to judgement - but they are completely separate ideas. For example, a healthy individual might be “proud” of their body while an overweight person might be “embarrassed” about theirs. “Proud” and “embarrassed” are both judgements that we force on ourselves and/or let the outside world force upon us. If an overweight person is truly happy and healthy, then the choices that person is making suit them fine. For it is not the opinion of the outside world that matters, but the judgement we make on ourselves. I would like to share with you what I believe to be one of the most valuable ideas I presented to my child. I started sharing this idea at the young age of three years. “Every choice that you make and have made in the past builds the person that you are today and the person that you will be in the future.” At the time we compared it to a house, as a relatively simple analogy. I asked my child what type of house he might like to build, and how strong he would like the foundation to be. Love, truth and kindness are strong building blocks, used to make a house that could weather any storm. Houses built on less could topple, and surely would not stand the tests of time and weather. When it comes right down to facts, life is actually nothing more than a long drawn out series of choices. It is not our circumstances, but what we build with them that matter. Sometimes people who begin in the darkest of places will bring the most light to the world. To know the darkness is also to know the value of of the ability to radiate light. Every choice matters, the small ones, large ones and especially the ones that occur when no one is looking. When every choice matters to the future stability of our home, then we know that good choices are important to the quality and endurance of our home. In this world we are either changing and growing or dying. It may seem a harsh way to look at life, but nonetheless it is true. Decisions and choices are not easy. Taking responsibility for our every decisions and choice is even less easy. Realizing that the predicament of today is yesterday’s decision gone awry, makes the big painting you call your life a bit more challenging to look at sometimes. However, realizing that your painting is yours, and it can be changed or altered at any time is extremely empowering. We can strengthen the foundation of your homes and replace any part of it at any time. It can start today, now! This week, place no blame. Take responsibility for everything before you and for everything that you are. Challenge yourself to make decisions that are powerfully kind, loving and positive. There are no small decisions or choices. Each choice, no matter how big or small, could change your life forever. Most importantly do make choices. Don’t put off today’s choice until tomorrow. Life is too short. Moments are too precious. If you change nothing, nothing changes. Everything can be taken from a man but one thing: the last of the human freedoms—to choose one’s attitude in any given set of circumstances, to choose one’s own way.” – Viktor Frankl