Life Is All About Choices

On June 3, 2016, my brother made a choice that impacted hundreds of people; he chose to ride his motorcycle. You may wonder how that single choice could have an impact on hundreds of people and the fact is, it’s actually what happened during that particular ride that has had such an impact. 

We often think that we have control over our lives and the lives of others but the truth is, the only thing we have control over are the thoughts we think and the choices we make.

Mothers can often be heard to tell their children, “be careful” and as much as we would like to think that we are doing our motherly duty, it’s ultimately up to the child whether he or she will heed those words.

How often have you or someone you know said, “Call me when you get there so I know you arrived safely”?  What happens if the person forgets to call?  Do we then pace the floor wondering if he or she arrived safely, assume they did arrive safely and simply forgot to call, imagine the worst case scenario and picture them in an accident, or worse, assume that he or she just doesn’t care enough to call?

Life is much the same way, we can choose to make decisions based on our lifelong beliefs and remain inside our circle of knowing (what I refer to as “The Known Zone”) or we can discover ways to step outside of our Known Zone and begin to live the life we are meant to live.
So, what is holding you back?  What is keeping you in your Known Zone and preventing you from living your life on purpose?

Please allow me to share the most common answers to that question:

• I don’t have enough money
• My spouse isn’t supportive
• My parents would disown me
• I have to wait for my kids to move out of the house
• I don’t know how

Regardless of which of these answers come to your mind first, the truth is, you don’t step outside of your Known Zone because of one or more levels of “SELF” (Self-Esteem, Self-Image, Self-Confidence, Self-Worth, Self-Love).  Every one of the above answers can be directly linked to one of your levels of “SELF”

We become what we think about the most and if you have low levels of “SELF” is it any wonder why your results match your thoughts?  What if you were to make new choices with the thoughts you think and turn your excuses into positive affirmations?

• I will create the money I need
• I will love my spouse in spite of his/her disbelief in me
• My parents will get over it
• This is a great opportunity to show my children what I am capable of
• I will find the person, place or condition to show me the way

Now, as you are becoming the new thoughts you think, your life is also changing in ways you never thought possible because you are actually making a conscious choice to step outside of your Known Zone and create the abundance you have been in search of.

 Life is full of twists and turns and you can choose to stay on the sidelines or get into the game.  Whatever you choose to do, it’s your choice.

My brother has always told me that “life is all about the ride” and he loved to ride his motorcycle any chance he got. Rain, snow, heat or traffic could never keep my brother from riding.  His love for riding gradually led him to find a group of other people who live to ride and they are members of the Second Brigade Motorcycle Club of Ohio.  These men are Veterans and supporters of Veterans whose mission it is to support their members in whatever way possible.  My brother is the president of this chapter and there are hundreds of men who would lay down their life for my brother; I know this because I witnessed it first hand on June 3, 2016 when I met them for the first time where they have been keeping vigil over my brother and his wife while my brother fights to return to us. 

That week the hospital waiting room was full of men and women in black leather surrounding my brother and our family like a protective blanket.  We were all given an opportunity to dispel stereotypical judgments based on a person’s clothing and what they drive (ride) because it was evident that we were all there because each of us had the same thing in common; love for my brother.

As my brother made a choice, like so many times before, to ride his motorcycle.  He was living outside his Known Zone and living his life the way he loved to live.  That night, on June 3, 2016, a dark country road lay waiting for my brother and his bike.  As the road separated my brother from his bike, members of the motorcycle club told us that my brother chose to fight hard to keep his bike beneath him but lost that fight.  And now, we wait.

As much as I long to sit across the dinner table from my brother and hear him laugh as we reminisce about childhood memories, I know that choice is ultimately up to my brother.  His road to recovery has been miraculous, harrowing, emotional, frightening, and full of love, especially Self-Love.  He has known what he loved to do the most and has never allowed anything to keep him from doing it, it was all about The Ride!  My brother is so loved by so many people and there are so many friends and family members that are doing their part during this waiting period.  Who among us can boast to having this many people standing beside us during difficult moments in our life?

We are waiting for my brother to come back to us and be the leader, father, brother, son, and positive influence that he was born to be.  My brother’s choice has brought so many people together in ways that would not otherwise have been possible.  It’s times like these when people truly understand how each of our lives are woven into a tapestry of the lives of others and yet each of us has control over only two things; the thoughts we think and the choices we make.

My brother lives to ride and that is a thought that I hold onto during his journey to recovery. 
What do you live for? 

Remember: Life Is All About Choices ~ you can choose to stay within your Known Zone or you can push the boundaries of your beliefs and live your life your way.  It’s your choice!
​
Nancy Mueller ~ Empowerment Sensei for Women

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