This picture was taken at Torrey Pines beach today after a hike with Coach Carrie (who interestingly solved alot of my issues. Oh yes, it’s true. I’m a sane person. No, really).
I love this picture. Thousands upon thousands of smooth stones. Thousands. As far as I could see. The beauty was striking.
I took this picture because it struck me with a metaphor. (I know. You’re shocked. Hey, at least it’s not a peanut butter metaphor. Oh, wait…that one’s coming…)
Our lives have thousands and thousands of choices each day. To wake up, to brush teeth, to do or not to do. Thousands of choices over the course of our weeks, our months. Over a lifetime? Millions?
Life may be like a box of chocolates (hopefully, peanut butter ones).. but I think it’s also like a beach full of magical stones.
The stones represent choices. You can pick them up and carry your choices with you, one by one, your bad choices, your good choices. The regrets, the egotistical ones… you can pick them up, and haul them, mile after mile after mile. Until eventually, the beach still has miles to go, but you’re carrying all these stones, and you’ve got nothing left to walk the rest of the way.
Choices shouldn’t define us. Yes, choices often make our paths. Paths and self-worth are two different beasts. Think about it.
Choices. Should. Not. Define. You.
Going forward, I am going to (continue to) try and make good choices, the best I know how. But then, much like releasing my scale fetish, I am going to let my choices go… Whether my choices were good or bad, smart or stupid, I will just let the waves crash over them. Wash them away. Bury them in the sand.
I won’t carry them. And I won’t be weighed down. And I won’t be defined by a single choice.
For eventually, all choices will be washed smooth and beautiful, forming the ever so slight backdrop of your true spirit, your whole life, the wide expanse of who you are.
Just a beautiful beach, and one you’ve earned to tread upon.
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beautiful post
What a great thought – and one I will try to go with…….
Choices shouldn't define us. Yes, choices often make our paths. Paths and self-worth are two different beasts. Think about it.
Great! Great! Great! and so many people believe that choices define us, yes, they make up part of us but they don't define us.