Fork In The Road

I woke today seeing a large fork in the road of life.  It was more prominent that other forks I’ve seen in my 50 years of navigating life’s highways.

Everyone eventually comes upon this fork. Yet, this morning, because of the crisis created in life, it loomed bigger and beckoned prompt decision.

The road separated to the left and to the right.

The road to the left was paved in the color of dole.  People followed neatly in line.  They donned their masks.  They carried their subsidy checks in freshly hand sanitized hands.  Neatly packaged rations of toilet paper, and chicken under their arms.  The path was smooth, well-trodden, the evidence of thousands passing down this fork.  The road sign pointing to the left said “Victim.”

The road to the right was not nearly as smooth.  It was rocky, and in some areas, not well marked.  A small sign, barely visible, hidden in the shadows of overgrowth pointed to the right and said “Victor.”

When you look back on your life, and you remember today and the decision before you at the fork in the road, will you have merely survived?  Or will you have thrived?

Has the experience of the first few months of 2020 softened you or hardened you?  Have you even noticed?  Did you even see the signs at the fork in the road?

The road you chose is up to you and you alone.

When you feel stuck, when your life is stagnating, it takes courage to turn down a different path.  It takes effort and resolve to break free and walk a different path.   Traveling a different road gives you a new perspective, an interlude to the mundane, and forces you to be alert and to learn.

Stop waiting for the instructions.  You already know what to do.

I know you want to hear it.  I know you need to hear it.  But, no one is going to tell you it’s finally “safe.”  It will never be completely safe. That’s the whole point of life.  Growth does not occur in restraints.  When you’re not feeling safe, remember, you’re growing.

Many voices can be heard beckoning you down the well beaten path of ease.  Sure, you could live out your life on the couch.  It’s softer and safer there, quarantined upon your familiar couch.

Stop waiting for someone to re-train you, re-hire you or even reassure you.  Reassurance is only momentary.  Stop waiting for the next “expert” to change your life with an enlightened YouTube video.  The herd will never be immunized.   That’s why you were given you own immune system.  Stop waiting for a vaccine, a magic pill, or the sound of “all clear.”  It will never be all clear.  Lean into the challenge.

Stop waiting for someone to re-open your life.  No one is coming to save you.  The sad but honest truth is no one really cares.  So, stand up, step out, work a bit harder.

It’s up to you to protect, provide and steer your carriage down the road.  Do not give up that greatest of all your gifts, your ability to chose.  Yes, you must chose.  If your ability to chose is taken, you’ll never see it again in your lifetime.

The road will never be the same, it never is.  The road you chose today determines the level to which you just survive or thrive.  Chose to thrive.

Let me help you thrive.  My membership program and concierge program is designed just for that purpose.

 

6 comments

  1. Chris Weakland says:

    Thanks for the tough love, Doc! As has so often been said — while other choices may be taken from us, we all choose our attitude. “Victim” should never been the attitude of choice, but it’s one so many take when they are focused on themselves rather than on lifting others. You lift me every time, and I’m thankful for that.

  2. Jay M says:

    I am confused doc…..are you saying forget the masks and take the risks?
    Your previous posts looked to indicate the very seriousness of the current situation…..
    All the best.

  3. Ruth C Bennett says:

    This is so good and so true! We need to responsible for ourselves and our own health!

  4. Heidi Arens says:

    Exactly what I needed to hear today! Thanks for always sharing such relevant and inspiring messages.

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