Life presents us all with a lot of crossroads, right? The place where moving in one direction versus the other creates a different reality for you. The difference may be huge, like choosing one job or another, a partner or remaining single, living in one city or another. Or, the choices may be smaller in impact like going to the gym or not; or eating a burger and fries or a salad.
The crossroads are endless and the truth is that whatever you choose will affect you tomorrow and all the days that follow.
Take an easy one like working out or binge watching The Diplomat on Netflix. Trust me, this has been a decision for me as I LOVE The Diplomat. However, not working out messes with my head because I know that today is a workout day. It’s always been a workout day and it fits into a pattern of working out that is benefiting my health. Yet the struggle is real and tomorrow I’m going to be mad that I didn’t hit the gym.
I’ll call it a cheat day to make myself feel better. I’ll try to make it up by doubling up on my next gym visit. Not. Or, I’ll adjust my schedule in a feeble attempt to forget that I didn’t work out the day before. What I know for sure is that my choice of not working out will affect something tomorrow! Like that weigh in that happens just as I awaken. If only I had gone to the gym!
“The thing about taking that next step is that there’s always another one right after it.”
Then there are the harder ones. The big life moments that require careful consideration of as many possible outcomes of my decision that I can come up with. These are the ones that I talk with my partner and best friend about. I consult folx who know something about my decision and can offer hard questions and sage advice. Not the folx who come to the table with an answer in mind but those who are armed with keen awareness of me, my life, and how I move in it.
The thing about taking that next step is that there’s always another one right after it. Consider those when you reach a crossroad. The first reason is never the only reason. It’s the ones that comes after the excitement and joy of the first reason that matter the most. It’s the ones that reassure you that you made the right decision or nag at you that you didn’t.
Ponder that next step with a reasonable dose of discernment. Your tomorrow and the tomorrows that follow are counting on that.
Now, about that burger and fries… make mine a turkey burger and I’ll meet you for lunch. Right after I finish my workout.