Your Next Decision Is Entirely Up To You

You clicked on this article? Like that decision, it’s up to you to decide what you’re going to do next.

If you want to, look at yourself in the mirror. Look at the creases in the palms of your hands. Maybe your hands are a little shaky. Maybe they’re small and bony, or maybe they’re big and strong. Maybe your hands have blisters. Now remind yourself of all you’ve accomplished already, and what you dream of accomplishing next. Think big.

If you want to, think about the present for a moment — the good and the bad.

If you’re also willing to, let’s reminisce on the past — the good and the bad — it doesn’t seem so black and white anymore, does it?

Neither our present nor our future has to be so black and white either, although that may be hard to grasp right now. Especially when we feel like the weight of the world is on our shoulders, and especially when whatever we’re carrying on our backs is starting to feel too heavy.

Maybe we’re not thrilled with where we are right now.

I hate how clumsy I am. I hate how easily distracted I get, and I hate how I act when I get nervous. I hate my boyish figure, and I hate how I hold onto grudges, and the people and things in my life that have made me feel anything less than secure.

I could write an entire article in itself listing what I don’t like about myself and where I am right now. And if you feel like you could join the hate parade with me, let’s stop in our tracks for one second.

Anne Frank said it best: “Think of all the beauty that’s still left in and around you and be happy.”

There may be things, maybe even several or numerous things that we don’t like about ourselves. But let’s remember and hold onto the things we do like. They don’t even need to be entirely about us.

I like where I’m writing this article. I like Frank Sinatra, and I also like Justin Timberlake and (secretly but now not so secretly) rap music. I like the way the silhouette of the dress I’m currently wearing falls on me. I like how sunny it is today.

We have blessings all around us. Start counting.

Even if you can only think of one, that’s more than none. And if you honestly think you have none, then you’re honestly being completely dishonest with yourself.

You’re blessed enough to have woken up today, and even luckier to be literate enough to read this.


Now it’s up to you to decide what to do next.