Woulda, Coulda, Shoulda

Do you live with regrets? Are there moments when you think to yourself ... If only I had done this or that? What if I had reacted differently? It's not often life gives us a Re-Do, but we do have opportunities to learn from our actions.

 

There will always be things we SHOULD do; like exercise and eat better.

 

There will always be things it WOULD be wise to do: vote to share our voice and obey the laws and the 10 Commandments.

 

There are the things we are REQUIRED to do; get a driver's license if you want to drive and have health insurance.

 

Then there are things it would be MORALLY right to do; be loyal, be honest, and be respectful of one another.

 

There's a lot to remember if you want to live a good life that both you and God can be proud of, but we're human and we're bound to make poor choices and bad decisions and even occasionally do or say things we wish we could take back. We don't get a 'rewind' button. We need to face our choices head on and deal with any consequences. But in the midst of trying to stay on track and remember all the woulda, coulda, shoulda scenarios we need to make sure we also honor the things we WANT or NEED to do. There are things that help curb our mounting anxieties like laughter (or ice cream). There are things that help us clear our heads like fresh air and taking a walk in the sunshine. There are things that help our minds stay active like crafts, crossword puzzles, and taking time for prayer or reading a daily devotional.

 

Life is full of big decisions and difficult choices, but it also needs to be about creating a healthy balance.

 

How do you balance your life? What WOULD you do if you COULD? What SHOULD you be doing differently?

It's Never Too Early To Take Your Life Seriously

Some people live life way too seriously; they're workaholics, they read EVERY newspaper article and Internet headline before their second cup of coffee, and they're planning next week in great detail while forgetting about tomorrow. Then there are other people who never take life seriously in the least. Their idea of planning for their future revolves solely around the dinner menu.

So what has me contemplating life choices? Like others, I read headlines about a 21 year old shooting a roommate over a minor disagreement. I see daily selfies being posted on Facebook by 12-15 year old kids that make me wonder where their self esteem is. Do they really need to post a new staged selfie 3-4 times a week? What's the point? Have they evolved that much in 24 hours?

I'll admit I ponder through Facebook and my limited Instagram connections to see what's going on, but I often see stuff that just makes me wonder. I'm not writing on my blog to bash anyone's choices or try to convince you of my viewpoints on piercings or tattoos. My views are my views. My point, though, is that I wonder how many people ask themselves how some of their spontaneous choices they make today will stick with them for the long haul. Will they be happy with their trendy tattoo when they're 65 or even 80? Will their fellow neighbors in the senior living center think to themselves, 'WOW, YOU ROCK'? Or will they have to put their glasses on to look at it and say, 'What the heck is that?'

Will posting that picture of yourself today wearing the low cleavage dress while holding a cigarette in one hand and a drink in the other scream out to a potential employer, "Choose me for the job. I promise to represent your company with nothing but pure professionalism."?

This post isn't meant to be a rant or imply that all morals and self-respect are falling by the wayside. I am merely suggesting, by my observations, that it's never too early to take your life seriously. When making the short term decisions, take a moment to look forward at the long term picture. If your current decision doesn't look like a good mesh with the long term goal, maybe take a step back and rethink the drinking and driving idea or the texting or driving without a seat belt thought. Remember that the choices you make today can easily stick with you forever.