Choices

Three things that made me think this week

1.  "Go first." Quote by Gabby Reece, professional volleyball player. Her motto is to always go first. She tries to initiate kindness by saying "Hi" to the people she encounters during the day. She's found that it brightens her mood and adds a smile to the other person's face. Taking initiative also relieves the pressure on others to speak, allowing for more open dialogue. Her quote made me think about engaging quicker with my wife. I could be the first to apologize or see how she's feeling.

2.  Garden of Eden. Tara Brach discussed guilt and feeling inadequate in her book Radical Acceptance. She mentioned how some people feel pressure to redeem themselves in the eyes of God for original sin. The pressure leads to feelings of inadequacy and a constant need to prove themselves worthy. I never thought of it that way, but I can see how dangerous that could be. I prefer to view original sin and our removal from the garden of Eden as God's way of telling us to trust him. We do not have to be all knowing, just accept him and experience his love.

3.  "Trying is the first step towards failure." Quote by Homer Simpson. This quote makes me laugh every time I think about it. Trying IS the first step towards failure, but it is ALSO the first step towards achievement. Do I want to stay comfortable and not risk any bruises to my ego? Or, do I want to experience life and try new things. It's a risk, but only in how one views failure. Do we chose to view failure as final or a learning experience.