Up to you

I know that celebrities are usually the last people you should take relationship advice from, but a lot of times, I attribute Blake Shelton and Miranda Lambert for inspiring me.  When asked how they felt after tying the knot, one of them happily responded with something along the lines of: I married my best friend. It's gonna be fun.  It's so simple, but it makes so much sense.  As imminent as a promise like this is, doesn't it still involve our own choice?  So why not make it a good one, if you can?

When I think about where I am today, it occurs to me how many choices we end up making in our own lives as we live it.  And I should clarify, because I know that could be easily interpreted as believing we have much control over our lives.  But I don't think that we can control what happens necessarily, especially when things often happen beyond our control--and in most of those cases, unexpectedly so.  Instead, I think that we make many choices when we are able to in our lives.  And when things don't go our way, we are able to make our own choice in how we will react to it.

But sometimes the knowledge of our own abilities leads to a matching fear.  You see, I had been somewhat of a developing hoarder in my life.  Whether it was the collective junk I kept in my closet or the smorgasbord of "for just in case" items I kept in the trunk of my car, I had a cautionary mentality of "what if?"  What if I needed (this) later?  What if (something) came up and for (whatever) reason, (this) will be important?  What if I forgot, unless I could refer back to (this)?  While my habits grew to unusually high stacks of clutter, this train of thought isn't unusual; I think everyone worries this way to some level or another.  It's our inherent fear of our inability to respond to emergencies or surprises.  In one way or another, we fear how many options are available to us when we're given the choice.

But let's not forget: these special cases are literally defined as the deviant situation--they are far from the usual.  So, usually, we're fine.  We're actually a lot better off than we think.  So then in your own life, you're gradually presented with reasonable options.  I hate to cut the chase so quickly, but the point is: when it comes down to it, are you making the choices you want?  Are you happy with the choices you've made in your life?  

Someone once told me, "Bloom where you are planted."  Despite (though it could be in thanks to) where you are, live as who you are, and live out the best of who you can be.  So, grow on, my flowers.  Now is our time.