Choose Wisely

Writing for the HUM LIFE BLOG is one of my favourite things to do.  But after almost 5 years, there are times I struggle to find something new and interesting that I can write about to inspire your practice and your journey…in a 3-4 minute read.

Sometimes, inspiration comes from unexpected places.

Last week I received a completely unexpected gift in the mail from a very beautiful soul. She knew I’d been through some very challenging times in the last year.  So when I opened the box, I immediately felt the highest vibrations of kindness, compassion, generosity, love and joy burst out of the box and straight to my heart.  In the box were some very intentional and incredibly thoughtful gifts that all reminded me there is always joy even during the difficult times, that joy is always a choice. 

This got me thinking about choice.  I’m a believer (and I’ve written often about it) that one of the beautiful things in life is that we get to choose how we want to feel, choose what we want to do, choose how we want to live our life.  But sometimes we forget we have that freedom to choose. 

Think about this: 
➔ What parts of your life did you really choose for yourself and your own soulful purpose? 
➔ What choices did you make based on expectations of others (family, tradition, culture), based on past conditioning or based on circumstances? 
➔ What choices could you make to feel more fulfilled and to be true to your authentic self?

There was a point in my life that I realized I had made many important life choices based on the expectations of "others”, on what I had been brought up to believe was the right choice, what success “should” look like, rather than choosing for my own authentic self.  It took a whole lot of living (and self-understanding) to realize this and to find the courage to change course, to shift my journey, and to make choices that are more suited to my true desires and my true nature.  These choices have brought me so much more joy, peace, serenity and satisfaction than I’d ever experienced.

Everyday, you have choices, from the tiny ordinary ones to the immense life-changing ones.  You have the power and the freedom to choose.  So choose wisely. 

• Choose how you want to feel in each moment
• Choose how you want to meet the world each day
  
• Choose how you want to react and respond in each situation, helpful or harmful
  
• Choose how you take care of your health, both body and mind
  
• Choose how you treat the planet
  
• Choose which stories, habits and people you want to keep in your life and what you want to let go
  
• Choose what you want to create in your life 
  
• Choose to change your life if it doesn’t suit your values and your true purpose

Some of our choices can make us VERY uncomfortable.  Our journey is not always easy.  And it takes courage to make choices that seem at odds with everything we’ve learned and lived to this point. But one thing I’m sure of is that our most profound lessons and transformation come from our zones of un-comfort.

Some of our choices are made in a split second.  These are likely reactions rather than intentional choices. Sometimes we just choose automatically based on conditioning or tradition.  Sometimes we actually take/make the time to really think about a choice in front of us, to analyze our options, and choose with intention.  

Mindfulness helps us to be present to the circumstances, to our thoughts and emotions so that we can intentionally make our choices.

Here are 9 mindful steps you can take to choose wisely, in any situation, in a few seconds, a few minutes or as long as it takes.

1. Slow down and take a breath to allow space for reflection, and to prevent reactions and rushed choices.
   
2. Observe your thoughts and emotions around the situation and the choices available.
   
3. Ask yourself what choice most aligns with your values, with your true purpose and your authentic self.
   
4. Imagine the future outcomes of each choice. Which one feels best?
   
5. Listen to your body - it knows the truth, it lives in the present moment and can often tell you things you mind cannot.
   
6. Commit to your choice with courage- once you’ve made your choice don’t hesitate.
   
7. Let go of any regrets and any guilt, let go of your habit to follow old patterns.  Hold on to the knowledge that you are making a choice for your authentic self and your best future life.
   
8. Be kind and loving to yourself, and soon your old choice-making ways will relax away and let the true you shine through.
   
9. Ask for help if you need it - an outside perspective can help you to see things clearly.

You’ve only got one precious life, so be sure to make it the best one you can possibly live.  Make it the life that is best for your authentic self and your true desires.  When you do, you will flourish …and you will bring so much joy the world.