On nearly every walk I’ve taken lately, I’ve been shown a much-needed life lesson. So this morning when I started out, I immediately began looking around expectantly for today’s gift. I passed ten or so houses without a spiritual revelation, but then my attention went to my feet, my steps actually. 

 

I watched my feet walk for a few seconds (sounds like bad grammar but hang with me) and then I had this elemental epiphany. When I walk, my steps are going to determine where I go. My pace will determine how quickly I get there. In other words, the more steps I take in the direction I want to go, and the faster I take them, the sooner I will see the results of my actions. Immediately I knew this translated to life and I realized the importance of frequently asking myself several questions.

 

For starters, Are my mental steps pointed in the direction of where I want to go?

 

My body will follow my mind. It’s like when you’re teaching your child to ride a bike and you caution them to look where they want to go. Our minds are the vision for our bodies. We have to look with our minds first and with enough focus, our physical lives will follow. 

 

More questions:

 

 

Woah! Lots to think about. And while goals and intentions are important in helping us reach certain destinations, I also never want to forget to relish every step and to know that life is the culmination of our steps, not any one arrival point. Because we never really arrive. We land somewhere and then immediately start a new journey. 

 

Even doing nothing is a journey in itself. We are always going somewhere even if it’s staying exactly where we are. Everything is a choice, yes, even doing nothing.

 

Side note, when I’m feeling like a victim of someone else’s choices, I can take my power back and remind myself of my own choices. We always have choices. We can change, we can leave, we can take a break, we can say no, we can say yes, we can say I don’t know and take a time out until we do. No one chooses our lives but us. 

 

And another great question to ask ourselves about the choices we’re making (or not making):

 

 

That question will really help us align our steps physically and mentally and cast out any illusion that another person, place or thing is controlling our lives. We decide if the payoffs are worth the steps and the less-than-optimal parts of the roads we take. We don't always like to hear it, but we don’t do anything without buying into the payoff, which may simply be to avoid the consequence of choosing otherwise.

 

What are the payoffs for where you’re headed right now? Sometimes it’s less obvious but if we look hard enough and are willing to be super honest with ourselves, we’ll find the answers and take even more ownership of our lives. Answering that last question helps us see that we truly are choosing, or purposely not choosing, where we want to go.

 

I love questions. Questions bring answers and sometimes more questions but either way, they propel us and keep us from remaining stagnant with our heads buried in the sand, afraid of getting the answers. Be brave and ask the questions anyway!

 

Let’s take a step in the right direction first, by honestly acknowledging where we are now and then deciding where we want to go and what we really want. What sacrifices are we willing to make to have that? What are we not willing to tolerate to have that?

 

Personal fulfillment comes from taking the steps we have thoughtfully planned while also authentically navigating the detours life has served us unexpectedly. We will find contentment when we are true to ourselves while also continually asking questions to clarify our intentions, hopes and dreams … AND to determine what steps will take us there.

 

Enjoy your walk today! Leave me a comment or send me a reply and tell me where you're going. : )