Crossroads and Decisions

Credits to the owner of the image.

In reality there are no repeats, no rewinds and definitely no undo button to rectify a mistake or change a life altering moment.
We’ve all been there, that one single second when our lives have forever been changed because we either took that step forward or retreated and never looked back. We’ve all been at a crossroad, needing to make a decision, weighing the pros and cons or sometimes just taking the plunge without even thinking about it. 

But what if the decision you made turned out to be a mistake (or so you think)?
What comes next?
Do you scold yourself? Wallow in regret? Replay the scenario in your mind, hoping it would change things? Or do you keep on blaming yourself for that single decision, for not listening to the inner voice or heeding the warning bells and red flags?

The truth hurts, but there’s really no turning back anymore. No matter how awful things may seem, no matter how bleak the situation, we must accept the fact that where we are, what we have, everything has been a consequence of what we have decided in the past.

What then is the recourse?

Credits to the owner of the image.

Pick yourself up. Forgive yourself for that wrong turn, learn from it and move forward. Do not let the mistake trap you in sorrow or regret. Look for the good in the bad.

Credits to the owner of the image.

It may not be easy to believe this, but know that there’s a reason why you are where you are right this moment. Do not give up. Better things are yet to come. Wait purposefully while the page has not yet been turned.

“I am with you and will watch over you wherever you go, and I will bring you back to this land. I will not leave you until I have done what I have promised you.” (‭Genesis‬ ‭28‬:‭15‬ NIV)

Don’t lose hope. This is not the end of your story. As someone once said, it’s just a plot twist. It’s bound to become better.

Be blessed and be a blessing. 🙂

When Waiting Seems the Hardest

Oh soul, why do you feel hopeless?
Fearful.
Agitated.
Uncertain.

Stop.
It’s the enemy feeding you lies.

Clear your mind.
Return to the center.
Listen.
God speaks.
He whispers words
To soothe your heart,
Comfort your weary soul.

Take a deep breath.
Let go of what you can’t control.
Trust.
Believe.
Do not fret.

Wait.
Patiently,
Purposefully,
Excitedly,
Wait.

The hour may be dark,
Tomorrow may look bleak,
But never for a moment
Doubt when God speaks.
Just wait.

But those who wait on the LORD Shall renew their strength;
They shall mount up with wings like eagles,
They shall run and not be weary,
They shall walk and not faint.
(Isaiah‬ ‭40‬:‭31‬ NKJV)

Year of Breakthrough

Life’s Lessons From a Ball

English: Former basketball player Michael Jordan (Photo credit: Wikipedia)

Basketball isn’t just something you play for fun. It’s something you feel. All you have to do is believe in yourself and put the ball into the basket. You have to try and dare to win. If you discourage yourself you’re only going to fail. But if you try, if you believe in yourself, if you practice and work your butt off to become the best. And you show your opponent that you’re sure of what you do, you win the game the second you step on the court.

Just Do It.

– From Nike

Basketball is one sport that I love to watch. The excitement, suspense and adrenalin rush that you experience when watching games with scores too close for comfort, really keeps you alert. Every second counts, every shot matters, every possession is important, every play can make a difference and every decision can affect the outcome.

The quote is right, basketball is indeed something you feel. It is more than a ball game. It is more than an entertainment. Basketball is filled with lessons, and not just technical rules on basketball but things that you can apply in life.

Here are some musings from watching basketball:

-Be prepared.

You cannot come to the game without training and practice, chances are, you are going to lose big time. The same is true in life, you have to prepare for whatever task or goal that you need to accomplish.

-Arrive earlier than the scheduled game

Players have to warm up before the actual game to avoid injuries and make sure they are in proper condition to play. It’s part of the preparation. In life, you have to be early or be left out.

-Focus on the “NOW”

The last game is already a thing of the past and so is the last shot, the last play, etc., players focus on the present moment because it is what matters. Yes you have to learn from past mistakes, but that’s it, the keyword is LEARN and not dwell. Yes you have to look forward to the future, but it is not here yet and what you do right now is going to affect that. In basketball and in life, if you focus too much on your past failures/mistakes and keep on anticipating the future, you are not going to get anywhere, focus on the “NOW”, learn from your mistakes but move on.

-Every second counts

Anything can happen in 28 seconds, even in 3 seconds. Make every moment count. 🙂

-You cannot please everyone

You’re definitely going to have supporters and critics. It is important to have a strong grasp of who you really are, to know your purpose and God’s design for you so that you will not break. Improve on what needs improvement but do not be discouraged over negative things or comments.

-The ball is round

You don’t know what’s going to happen, but no matter what the outcome may be, remember that God has better plans. His ways are better than ours. Be thankful for the opportunity and look forward to what He has in store. 🙂

-Do not lose hope

Just when you think it’s over, the tide turns, or rather the ball game changes and you’re on the lead, so up to the very last moment, do not waver. Keep the faith alive. 🙂

-There is a time for everything

As stated in Ecclesiastes, “For everything there is a season, a time for every activity under heaven.” You may not be the champion but what’s important is that you played your best, fair and square. Perhaps it’s just not your season BUT never ever give up, you’re going to have your moment to shine. 🙂

And in closing I’d like to quote the greatest player of all time, Michael Jordan, “Obstacles don’t have to stop you. If you run into a wall, don’t turn around and give up. Figure out how to climb it, go through it, or work around it.”

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Dandelion clock (Taraxacum officinale) For more translations SEE BELOW (Photo credit: Wikipedia)

The clock ticks, the paper remains empty, not a single word, not a single thought; ideas seem to be evasive, hibernating within the deepest recesses of the mind.

Have you ever experienced that? Perhaps.

But what if the scenario is that you are supposed to prepare for your major exams, read books and reviewers, listen to lectures but you find yourself drifting, losing focus and becoming sleepy? You know it’s a necessary step in order to pass those tests, to help you achieve your dream, to get you through that make or break situation but it is as if you are not in the moment, you are physically present but you are “not really there”. What do you do about it?

1. Pray

Seek the grace of God in everything that you do. As American football quarterback Tim Tebow said, “Regardless of what happens, I still honor my Lord and Savior Jesus Christ, because at the end of the day, that’s what’s important, win or lose.”

2. Write down your goals

When you see your goals in print, it seems to come to life. It also helps you to be reminded of what you are working hard for.

3. Be clear about your purpose – it will fuel your drive to succeed.

Remind yourself why you want to achieve your goal. The “WHY” plays a very important role in achieving what you have set for yourself, your purpose motivates you to succeed.

4. Learn from successful individuals.

Prior to the achievement of  Roger Bannister, the first person to break four-minute mile in 1952, people thought it impossible to achieve such speed but that myth was proven wrong, and after that others followed. Take inspiration from people who succeed because they will not belittle your dreams or tell you it is impossible.

5. Set a time table and stick to it.

Most people work well when they have a deadline while others become rattled by it, observe yourself and know what’s best for you. It won’t hurt to set a time table to track your progress.

6. Don’t exhaust yourself. Take breaks.

Learn to listen to your body, it will not do you any good if you overexert yourself, instead of being productive it will only hinder your progress when you get sick, so allow yourself to take a break.

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Be inspired by the following quotes:

Something in human nature causes us to start slacking off at our moment of greatest accomplishment.  As you become successful, you will need a great deal of self-discipline not to lose your sense of balance, humility, and commitment.  ~Ross Perot

Success without honor is an unseasoned dish; it will satisfy your hunger, but it won’t taste good.  ~Joe Paterno

Our deepest fear is not that we are inadequate. Our deepest fear is that we are powerful beyond measure. It is our light, not our darkness that most frightens us.’ We ask ourselves, Who am I to be brilliant, gorgeous, talented, fabulous? Actually, who are you not to be? You are a child of God. Your playing small does not serve the world. There’s nothing enlightened about shrinking so that other people won’t feel insecure around you. We are all meant to shine, as children do. We were born to make manifest the glory of God that is within us. It’s not just in some of us; it’s in everyone. And as we let our own light shine, we unconsciously give other people permission to do the same. As we’re liberated from our own fear, our presence automatically liberates others. ~Marianne Williamson

Try to discover
The road to success
And you’ll seek but never find,
But blaze your own path
And the road to success
Will trail right behind.
~Robert Brault