No path of life is a direct line to one’s destiny. They all have many forks and t-junctions, forcing us to make choices. Left or right?
The warnings are all over: Beware of potholes, mud holes, swamps, bumps, sharp curves, steep climbs and slumps, cliffs and falling rocks, insurmountable mountains (use detours), deep rivers and broken bridges (use catamarans), thorns, nails, wild animals and all kinds of danger! Please note: All paths of life are dangerous, however passable for those who have acquired knowledge and wisdom.
So Angela, once again you have reached a t-junction and you have no choice but to make a choice. Left or right?
I know you are old enough to make your own choices, but surely I may inform you of all possible dangers. I may even tell you what I would have done in your shoes. But being you, Angela, a headstrong individual with her own ideas and ideals, you will practice the typical human trend you’ve started to practice at the age of two: “I want to do it myself the way I want to do it.”
Typical human you will rather listen to your friends, while friends don’t even realize that they are not really leading each other with advice. They are merely testing their own – and even bragging with their own - capability of making wise choices. You should always remind yourself that nobody but you are walking in your shoes; only your heart beats in your chest; only your mind functions between your ears.
However, Angela, you have to obtain as much as possible opinions and suggestions. In other words, you have to become acquainted with the knowledge and wisdom of others, even if they are sketchy and obscure.
Add them to your own –
those ideas of others -
let it fill your brain.
Then pass it through your heart –
the strainer and separator
of wheat and chaff.
Never underestimate your gut feeling –
that sixth sense of yours –
for that is the finest sieve
preventing crumbs
of chaff
to keep you in doubt.
Then, clearly visible
you will see
the best choice
you can make.
As always, Angela, I share two of my favorite scriptures about the topic with you.
Isaiah 43:1-3: “.... Fear not, for I have redeemed you; I have summoned you by name, you are mine. When you pass through the waters, I’ll be with you; and when you pass through the rivers, they will not sweep over you. When you walk through the fire, you will not be burned; the flames will not set you ablaze. For I am the Lord, your God....”
Proverbs 3:5-6: “Trust in the Lord with all your heart and lean not on your own understanding; in all your ways acknowledge him and he will make your paths straight.”
Love you,
Mom.
The warnings are all over: Beware of potholes, mud holes, swamps, bumps, sharp curves, steep climbs and slumps, cliffs and falling rocks, insurmountable mountains (use detours), deep rivers and broken bridges (use catamarans), thorns, nails, wild animals and all kinds of danger! Please note: All paths of life are dangerous, however passable for those who have acquired knowledge and wisdom.
So Angela, once again you have reached a t-junction and you have no choice but to make a choice. Left or right?
I know you are old enough to make your own choices, but surely I may inform you of all possible dangers. I may even tell you what I would have done in your shoes. But being you, Angela, a headstrong individual with her own ideas and ideals, you will practice the typical human trend you’ve started to practice at the age of two: “I want to do it myself the way I want to do it.”
Typical human you will rather listen to your friends, while friends don’t even realize that they are not really leading each other with advice. They are merely testing their own – and even bragging with their own - capability of making wise choices. You should always remind yourself that nobody but you are walking in your shoes; only your heart beats in your chest; only your mind functions between your ears.
However, Angela, you have to obtain as much as possible opinions and suggestions. In other words, you have to become acquainted with the knowledge and wisdom of others, even if they are sketchy and obscure.
Add them to your own –
those ideas of others -
let it fill your brain.
Then pass it through your heart –
the strainer and separator
of wheat and chaff.
Never underestimate your gut feeling –
that sixth sense of yours –
for that is the finest sieve
preventing crumbs
of chaff
to keep you in doubt.
Then, clearly visible
you will see
the best choice
you can make.
As always, Angela, I share two of my favorite scriptures about the topic with you.
Isaiah 43:1-3: “.... Fear not, for I have redeemed you; I have summoned you by name, you are mine. When you pass through the waters, I’ll be with you; and when you pass through the rivers, they will not sweep over you. When you walk through the fire, you will not be burned; the flames will not set you ablaze. For I am the Lord, your God....”
Proverbs 3:5-6: “Trust in the Lord with all your heart and lean not on your own understanding; in all your ways acknowledge him and he will make your paths straight.”
Love you,
Mom.
