Choices

I have been thinking a great deal about choices in the last 7 or so weeks. 

 

Even in putting together this little picture I had to make a choice.   Originally I was going to choose the pronoun 'you' or 'we'.   At first I shunned "I" because it might sound selfish or self absorbed; but instead I came to the conclusion that I needed to choose the pronoun "I", because it is only I who can put forth the effort to achieve the results I desire to achieve.

 

Within this 7 week period, Duane and I chose to begin our walking routine, again.  But...each morning at 4:45, Duane gently wakes me up, and asks "Do you want to walk this morning?"  I have to make the choice! (as I lay in my cozy bed, not wanting to wake up).  So far my choice has been, "Yes!"

In this last 7 weeks I have made the choice to get well; knowing that there is no 'magic pill', no one can do it for me, and there will be no easy way to do this. I choose to do this, knowing that it will take time, determination, going against the 'norm' and a great deal of research.  AND....a great deal of work and effort.  My choice is to be well.  My choice is to take my health and well being seriously and find the solution. 

This week, the 8th week in this journey of choices, I determined that just walking with Duane is not enough.  The years have passed, the time is long gone when I can lose weight fairly easily and it is going to take more effort than a 2 mile walk every morning, so I have made the choice to begin riding my bike daily, as long as it isn't lightening or raining too hard.  (I have rain gear)

 

As many of my friends and family know, I have a very limited diet, so there isn't much of anything more that I can delete out of my diet to eliminate calories.  I used to wear off calories by worry and anxiety.  A few years ago I made the choice to work on overcoming that issue.  So I went from a hyperactive A+ personality to a more relaxed B+.  I like the results of not fretting and the lack of chronic worry, but not the weight gain that ensued. So it is now a matter of jumpstarting my metabolism, again. 

 

It isn't easy, it will take determination and a great deal of work making the choice to get out there and ride everyday; but every choice that I have made in my life that I have had to work for, that I have had to put forth effort and determination, have been the choices that helped me to achieve the best things in my life. 

 

I have more choices to make: choices in my family, choices in my quilting and designs, choices in my business.  Small increments and I will climb the mountain to the top.  Small, determined, well placed steps and I will navigate the path properly and with joy.

 

At junctions, I will stop for a breather, to make the choice of which way to go.  The choice I choose will determine whether I enjoy the work of the climb or if I only end up sitting on the path, looking up at the summit, with longing and regrets. I am determined it will never be 'the easy path', but the path with the most to achieve, the path that makes the journey worth it. 

 

Choices: The choices I make determine the results I achieve. 
Only I can choose to make the best of situations.

 

A while ago, I chose to make the 'choice' of living in Joy.

Only I could make that choice for myself.  Oh, sure someone could make me happy for a moment, but the choice to find joy, even in the scraps of life; can only come from with in.  Taking those scraps and choosing to make a beautiful quilt out of those scraps, can only come from within.  

 

I don't do this alone, but, just as Duane asks me each morning  "Do you want to walk?",  God also asks me each morning, do I want to sit longing for the summit, or do I want the joy of climbing the mountain.  He allows me,- the "I" - to make the choice.   He will let me sit longing for the summit, if that is the choice I decide to make.  

 

It isn't always easy, but when I keep making the best choices; when I choose to seek joy even in the scraps, I ALWAYS find joy. 

I am then able to spread out that fun, scrappy, colorful quilt, upon the bed of life, sharing it with all who wish to enjoy it with me.

Happy Quilting; with all those scraps in life. ~ Barbara