Everyday we are presented with choices. Most of the time, the choice is clear. Yes, I'll go to work or school today. No, I don't need to get gas today. Sure I'll donate a dollar at the checkout. I often wonder about the decisions we make that alters our life though.
When I was in middle school, I wanted to learn an instrument. I was personally dead set on violin. It ended up that we had a trumpet from when my dad and uncle were in band. I gave up my cause pretty early and took up the trumpet. From what I remember of that time, I hated it. I quit without even giving it a year.
What if I had pursued my interest and held out for a violin though? Would my life had been changed that drastically? Being so early in life, I think so. The friends I had would of changed to band and orchestra friends. I might of tried harder to keep up with friends in grades. This would of most likely led to college right after high school. Maybe my love of music would of come earlier in life and I would be following my dreams of performing or being a part of a major orchestra.
The choices you make shape your life. I don't feel you are stuck on a path that you don't want to walk. The only force that keeps you on that path is yourself. Make yourself wander into the forest of uncertainty every once in awhile. Break your routine to see how it feels and what comes of it. Introduce yourself to that stranger because they might be that secret millionaire.
And this is what happens when I think to myself "I wonder how different my life would of been if I played the violin?" Do you ever think "what if" and what is that moment you feel would of completely changed your life?
Quote: "As simple as it sounds, we all must try to be the best person we can: by making the best choices, by making the most of the talents we've been given." -Mary Lou Retton
Beautiful post. Really made me think.
ReplyDeleteim happy i picked up an instrument, really useful in expression and a good hobby
ReplyDeleteThoughts too long on what if take us away from what could still be
ReplyDeleteLovely post. I like to think that even my bad decisions have had a positive effect on my life, if only to put me through hard times so that I come out stronger. We can't know how things would have turned out if we'd chosen differently. Maybe if you'd stuck with violin, you would have ended up hating it anyway. Maybe if my husband and I hadn't chosen to move to LA, we would have ended up somewhere were life was easier, or maybe it would have been harder. The most we can do is try to make the decision that works best at that moment in our lives.
ReplyDeleteI wouldn't change anything about my past because it got me where I am today, but I believe that even small choices could have completely altered it! I think many people live with the belief that they are stuck or will be. It can make decision making paralyzing. What if I choose to leave this job for the other one and it turns out that I hate it? So what! So you quit the other job and find a new one. We're never stuck. Fear keeps us that way though. It's easy to get comfortable and not step outside that comfort zone. GREAT post!!
ReplyDeleteI do that so much!!
ReplyDeleteWhat if I studied hard for the midterm?
What if she never had a miscarriage?
What if I stayed?
What if I was nicer?
What if I said "yes"?
Beautiful deep thought process there and very up lifting. I've come to the conclusion we ask ourselves that question because we have yet to arrive at the place we need to be. Lord, did that make sense? :)
ReplyDeleteJules @ Trying To Get Over The Rainbow
Great post! Each choice definitely affects our future. And sometimes, or even a lot of times, our choices affect those around us. Thanks for posting this.
ReplyDeleteGlad you enjoyed it! More soon!
ReplyDeleteThats so true.
ReplyDeleteI wonder about choices, too, sometimes a little too much. If I had done one little thing differently, would by life be a million times better? Or a million times worse?
ReplyDeleteIt can be paralyzing. But sometimes, you just have to go for it and remember if you don't like it, you can change later.
Beautiful.
I read something not long ago from an author saying that if we pick something we love and choose to devote massive amounts of time to it, in time we'll become really good at it. Natural talent does have a part in it, but also it's where we devote our time every day.
ReplyDeleteWhat a crazy random happenstance, I play violin. :3 I think you should give it a go now, it's never too late to start.
ReplyDeleteBut your post really does make me think.
What an awesome post. Good stuff to remember about choices and making some too lightly.
ReplyDeleteAs years go by, it saddens me this feeling I have where I can see how my window of opportunities and choices is getting smaller. :(
ReplyDeleteWhat an insightful post, it started me thinking about small choices I've made and how they changed the big picture.
ReplyDeleteI think it's human nature to ask ourselves "what if".
what if the recession never happened? my entire LIFE would have been different.
ReplyDeletethis post made me think of loads of other What If questions and how my life would be if things were ever so slightly different, such as: what if i wasn't sick and hadn't lost my voice today? there is SO much i wanted to say today but i couldn't. i think i could have left a completely different impression on people if i wasn't sick today.
True true! Hay, in middle school I played (or tried to play) the clarinet. Me & my girlfriends decided to join band. We ended up only staying for the first year & not signing up again! It was horrible. lol I'm just not very musical... except when I pretend to be lol.
ReplyDeleteI do wonder what would've happened a lot when I think about how my life changed when I got sick, but thank God for it being over & me being able to start my life now!
Ah the curious mind.
ReplyDeleteCool quote. Is she the Olympic Gold medal winner back in the 80-90's?
I actually try not to think too much about choices I make for fear of regretting them. I try to take life day by day and accept all outcomes of all choices. But very interesting post.
ReplyDeletei think the "what if" is the most dangerous thing to a man, because it makes you doubt yourself, it has crossed my mind(i wont lie) but i always end up recalling what i did and why did i choose that answer, and if i could change it probably wouldnt anyway
ReplyDeleteIn the multiverse all those possibilites exist.... we just need to find a way to cross the boundary
ReplyDeleteThis is all I think about when I'm under the influence.
ReplyDeleteExactly! It's easy to get stuck in a routine... sometimes you really have to give yourself a kick in the butt.
ReplyDeleteAlso: The Butterfly Effect.
I don't like what-if questions ~ unless it's to help my story! For my life, though, I try to live it without regret. When I was 30 I took ballet lessons because I had always wanted to, but never could. I wanted to know what it would feel like to wear a flowy little ballet skirt and move my body in such graceful arcs.
ReplyDeleteYeah, well. It was fun while it lasted! At least I can say I did it. And it was a wonderful experience. That's how I came to be a writer. It was one of things that "had always wanted to do", and so ... I did it.
Now I try to live life with no regrets, and try to teach my children the same. We're all dreamers ~ but it is possible to be a dreamer AND a doer!