A
young man in search of wisdom asked, "Please tell me,
Grandmother, how can I attain wisdom such as yours,? Which path can I
take to follow you?" The wise old Grandmother replied, "Dear
child, you can journey to where I am, but you can not follow me. The
path to wisdom is a personal journey. There are many different roads
to take, and no two are ever the same. You will find many guides and
signs leading you along the path to wisdom, but only you can make the
choices at each fork in the road.” “But, Grandmother, how will I
know which way to go when I reach a fork in the road?” “Dear
child, do not fret over which road to choose, all paths eventually
lead to the same place. Some may look easier and faster if you are
following in someone else's path, but it is when you make your own
way, following your own path that you will not only find your way,
but you'll have found yourself in the process.”
Resist
the urge to think that your way or your path is the right way or only
way. Allow others to travel their life journey according to their
own heart. By respecting the beliefs and choices of others we have no
need to defend our own. It demostrates that we acknowledge that
everyone has their own path to forge, including ourselves. When we
try to control other people we are taking their personal power away.
Allowing
others to walk their own path does not mean we have indulge people
caught up in victim mentality. Those are the people who seem to be
looking for advice, but actually just want to draw you into their
drama. They are looking for sympathy not solutions. Years ago, I
used to give advice to others, and when they didn't follow my
direction it would cause me to feel frustrated. I was attached to
the outcome of how I thought they should act. If we can get to a
place where we can offer guidance without attachment, have compassion
for those who are still struggling to find themselves, and a let go
and let God attitude, then we release ourselves from stressing over
other people's lives.
When
we constantly seek guidance and approval of our choices we give our
personal power away. Seek wise advice as necessary, but always make
the choice according to your own heart. Decide if what you are
choosing is aligned with who you are. Is it aligned with your values
and dreams of the future? Is the choice made out of love or out of
fear? These questions will help you evaluate your life decisions.
In the end, there really is no wrong choice made with awareness and
love. You may decide that after a time you want to make a new choice
in another direction. That is fine too, because all paths are tools
for self introspection and offer lessons in life. Never regret
anything you've done if you have learned an important lesson through
the experience. Forgive yourself for being human. We all make
choices that in hindsight we would do differently. Yet, we all do
the best we can with the level of awareness we have at the time. If
you are tolerant of your “mistakes” then you'll be tolerant when
others make the same “mistakes.”
Lesson:
Life
is a personal journey of self discovery. Allow others to have a
chance to find themselves in their own way.
Exercise:
Does
it upset you when people close to you don't follow your advice?
Practice bringing awareness into the situation. Release your need to
control their life choices because you know what is best for them.
What is best for them is to figure out what is best for themselves by
learning to follow their authentic self. Practice guidance without
expectation. Be supportive of your loved ones even when they make
choices that are different from what you would do.
Be happy,my Friends-
Laura Barrette Shannon
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