Life is about changes. As we draw ever closer to the new millennium and beyond, the choices about these changes will be given to us more often and will be put in our path at a faster pace.

What we are guided to do is think through the options, and as best we are able, visualize what may happen if we go this way or that way. Then allow our Higher Self — our Soul connection with God, the Universe, or whatever term appropriate, to show us the answer that is best for us through how we feel emotionally and physically and through the signs or symbols that may pull at our attention. Our bodies are great indicators of making choices. For instance, I had a decision to make about using a large sum of money for an investment or paying off a loan. The investment was the best way on paper. The funds were there to draw from if I needed them in order to meet the large loan payment. Both my financial advisor and accountant recommended that I do the investment. However, my shoulders opted for the pay-off! I must say I haven’t regretted paying the loan.

Another example was when I kept going back and forth about selling my bookkeeping service. One day it would be "I want out" and the next was "No, I want to expand." After I finally surrendered, I received an obvious sign to sell, and it was confirmed. Not only was it a relief to have made a definite decision, it was a relief not to do the bookkeeping! When I started the business, it was the right thing to do — at that moment in time. It was the stepping stone, the tool, to nudge me into writing and other things. I wasn’t passionate about bookkeeping, although I thoroughly enjoyed the consultations. Yet, I had expected it to be forever.

Sometimes we are disappointed because things don’t work out as we expect. Our expectations will not necessarily give us what we need (whether we realize it or not). However, our souls do know what is right for us. If we will just let go of control and surrender to that Higher Power within us, we will achieve more with less stress and we’ll be happier.

Does this mean no more rough patches and everything will flow smoothly forevermore? We wish! Yet, do we really wish that? Isn’t it the valleys of our life where we learn the most about ourselves? And if we didn’t have the valleys, how would we recognize the peaks?

This doesn’t mean we are looking for extremes in our lives; we are looking for balance That balance comes, not from what is happening to us in life, but from how we handle the ebb and flow. Do we automatically react and bounce off walls, or do we take a deep, calming breath (or several!) and respond to a situation?

About 20 years ago, I received a letter from the IRS that I owed an amount more than what I originally sent in. "What? How can this be? Where did I mess up? I don’t have the money." I worried over this for a couple of hours, at least. Then, I pulled a Scarlet O’Hara and let it go for awhile. Later, I re-read the letter. As I paid more attention, I realized they had not posted the check I had mailed with my return. I knew it had been cleared through the bank, and all I had to do was send a copy to the IRS. So simple — and look at what I had put myself through emotionally by reacting to the situation. Had I calmed myself and re-read the letter from the beginning, I wouldn’t have gone through the gut-wrenching worry of how to come up with that much money, nor would I have been putting myself down for "being a screw-up."

How do you handle the curves thrown to you in life? Do you react or respond? Do you get thrown off-kilter or do you stay balanced, take things in stride, and take one step at a time?

It’s Your Choice.

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