When I was a pre-teen some of my favorite reads were the “Choose Your Own Adventure” books series authored by Edward Packard and R.A. Montgomery. I still remember many of the story lines and the excitement that would wash over me as I read the famous introduction: “Remember—you cannot go back! Think carefully before you make a move! One mistake can be your last… or it may lead to fame and fortune. Good luck!”
It was about this time I really started to visualize the consequences of both good and bad decision making. In the book series you could see the results of your choices in the form of the book’s dozens of endings. Sometimes I will rewind my own story line and try to imagine the dozens of possible endings at different pages in my life. I imagine many of the paths I could have chosen would have ended in my untimely death, abject poverty, maybe an incredibly complicated and dis-organized existence, or perhaps exceeding riches and happiness. I can look back at my life and see the consequences of lazy decision making, as well as carefully calculated decisions. I am happy to see there are several examples where I have made conscious decisions to choose better paths. As a result, I’m pretty dang satisfied where I’m at. But rest assured, there is lots of room from improvement.
Over the past two or three years I’ve noticed that my choices are steering me away from a life of dread and towards a more simplistic hakuna-matada life. But one must determine to live a little more care-free, it doesn’t just happen. I know (from my own life experiences) that if I don’t live a determined life that “stuff” will accumulate in my house, “things” will occupy my free time, and “job” will rob me of doing the things I love. That’s not cool with me; when I’m faced with multiple options I try to recognize these decision points as an opportunities to choose the life I want to live over a life or existence if I made no decision (after all, indecision is a decision). Essentially, you’re going to have to choose your own adventure.
What about you? Perhaps there are decision points in your life where you chose a “meh” life over adventurous life. Unfortunately, unlike the book series, we can’t go back and choose another decision. However, are you determined to get your story line back on track to live the life you’re meant to lead? I certainly hope so. Here’s my only hint… “choose adventure.”
keep moving.. So much life ahead..