"No matter how far you have gone on a wrong road, turn back."
 - Turkish Proverb -

This simple yet incredible piece of wisdom reminds us that we are always at choice.  Sometimes we forget that.  We get going along in our lives, doing our things, getting swept up in the illusion that "this is just the way it is, it's
too late to change anything now".  Granted, trapping ourselves in this mindset
IS a choice, but it's like we move into this place by overlooking the fact that there are so many other options available to us.

For example, many of us travel along on roads that lead to unfulfilling careers, toxic relationships, or negative beliefs about ourselves. We plod along, year after year, in a situations that frustrate, frighten, worry, annoy, stress, depress, and downright suck the life out of us.  Often times people stay on these roads because they think have to, like they're riding in one of those little track cars at Disneyland that you only pretend to be steering.  This is what I call choosing through autopilot.  It's not that we have no other choices, we just think it's too late to change course so we don't even look for a new road.  Whether conscious or unconscious, this kind of resignation can be extremely destructive.  It not only affects our day-to-day attitudes and outlooks, it actually spills over to every aspect of life.

If there are areas of your life where this is sounding a wee bit familiar, it's time to take a good, hard look.  Are you demanding yourself to stay at a job that crushes your spirit because after another 14 years you'll have a pension waiting for you?  Are you experiencing an uncomfortable, overweight, out-of-shape body because of eating and exercise habits you've fallen into for the last 30 years?  Do you continue to struggle in relationships that feel harmful to everyone involved just because you have history there?

Okay, I know there may be some of you that think I'm suggesting you quit your job, dump your best friend, and plunk down a big wad of money for the deluxe Get-Skinny-Now home gym and protein shake ensemble.  Although these are all options, that's not my intention.  I'm merely reminding us all that as we travel down the road of life we are ALWAYS at choice. 

The first step is remembering that if you don't like the road you're on, you can make another choice.  Maybe your road is way too bumpy and treacherous and it IS time to turn back.  Or perhaps the road you're on is fairly smooth, and getting a new set of directions and some different traveling companions is what's really in order.  No matter how far you've traveled, if you're not completely happy where you are, pay attention to that and make another choice.  Maybe it's time to get off the road you're on and make some big changes, or maybe a slight swerve in your perspective or attitude will do the trick.  Either way, taking responsibility to be at choice in your life makes all the difference in the quality of your journey.

Happy Travels!

Gail