A Tough Line to Toe

"Faith is taking the first step, even if you don't see the whole staircase" -MLK, Jr.

Relationships. Careers. Spirituality. Etc. Everyday we face decision making. Whether its deciding to move, change a relationship with somebody close to us, quit our jobs, go back to school, convert to a new religion, enter parenthood, etc. There are so many facets of our lives that can alter all the other pieces. Sometimes we've already made the decisions and need to choose whether we are going to stick to that choice, how we're going to share the news, how we're going to let that one piece affect the whole.

I've made a lot of unpopular decisions in my life. When I chose to become a special education teacher. The first time I decided to move to Australia. When I decided to get married at age 23. When I ended my relationship with my father. When I decided to mend bruised friendships despite past hurt on both sides. When I quit teaching special ed to take on yoga teaching. The second time I decided to move to Australia.

Its a really tough thing, finding the line between making decisions independently and being selfish. I absolutely believe in living for yourself, following your dreams, letting your heart guide your decisions with a little help from your head, and making mistakes. I also believe in doing right by everybody else in your life. Where you decide to place that balance is a personal decision. Where the line lays is up to you, as long as you are willing to accept the repercussions.

Something I've heard a lot in my life is "Wow, you really just do what you want"- the tone has changed depending on who says it, sometimes it infers selfishness, other times admiration, even indifference. I've just come to accept that my decisions won't always be popular. I don't let that hold me back. Thats a tough thing to accept but it will bring you so much happiness.

I'm young, I don't have a ton of advice for others- but I do have this: Follow your heart. Go out of your way to make yourself happy. Trust your decisions and accept that others won't. On that same token, do what you can to ease the blow on those around you. Deliver news gently. Understand the frustration of others. Let those people make their decisions the same way that you made yours.

Get married if you're in love and ready. Stay single and 100% independent if thats whats working for you. Change your career if you're unhappy or change your attitude so that you love your job again.  If you want to move far away, do it. If you want to live forever in the town you grew up in, thats wonderful too. Travel. Love. Make mistakes. Change your mind. But do it because its your own path. Do it to make yourself happy. & find a way to make the people you love happy too.