Article #1

It took several days and some nights to think about my first website article. I actually took even longer to start building the website to create a platform for my ideas. Before choices, I asked questions. What will I write about? Will anyone read my work? Will they enjoy it and learn from it? Eventually, I made the choice to just start writing, so welcome to article number one.

Life is about choices. People are required to choose quite often, sometimes without realizing it. Certain circumstances may limit choices, temporarily dictating some outcomes, but then again, a choice must still be made. When people make choices there is a perception of controlling an outcome. Hopefully their goal is to create a positive outcome but as we have seen in our world lately, that is not always the case.

How often do you choose? How often do you notice it? Choices happen more frequently than the passing seconds in a day. Some choices seem significant, others not so much, and some go unnoticed as involuntary actions. The ramifications can be either short term or long term, good or bad.

The moment a person wakes up they make choices. Reach to turn off the alarm. Time to check the weather. Tap the social media app to check notifications. Push the covers off and stand up. Walk to the bathroom and grab a toothbrush. It might take longer to read the last few sentences than perform the listed actions. These choices sound simple. But what happens if you don’t brush your teeth regularly?

A Tale of Two Wolves

The whole point of this website is to tell stories and talk about life. Let’s start with one of my favorite stories: A Tale of Two Wolves.

An old Cherokee is teaching his grandson about life. “A fight is going on inside me,” he said to the boy.

“It is a terrible fight and it is between two wolves. One is evil – he is anger, envy, sorrow, regret, greed, arrogance, self-pity, guilt, resentment, inferiority, lies, false pride, superiority, and ego.”

He continued, “The other is good – he is joy, peace, love, hope, serenity, humility, kindness, benevolence, empathy, generosity, truth, compassion, and faith. The same fight is going on inside you – and inside every other person, too.”

The grandson thought about it for a minute and then asked his grandfather, “Which wolf will win?”

The old Cherokee replied, “The one you feed.”

Both wolves are present when people make choice, but try not to overthink it. There is no reason to dive too deep into symbolism and philosophy. Make good choices for yourself and for others.

3 Choices for Taking Care of Yourself

1. Personal interest education. Read, watch, converse about things that interest you. I am not talking about going back to school. I am currently reading The Richest Man in Babylon by George Clason and Talking to Strangers by Malcolm Gladwell. Also watching a ton of baseball and animated movies with my son.
2. Hydrate and eat some vegetables. I eat eggs EVERY morning. It took me until I was 26 to throw a handful of spinach in. Don’t even notice it now. Day starts, protein and vegetables: check.
3. Find time for hygiene. Brush your teeth, take showers, cut your fingernails, use soap. You will feel better.

3 Choices for Taking Care of Others

1. Old friends, colleagues, and teammates pop up in conversations and thoughts often for me. Reach out, say hello. It’s good to stay in touch with people. They appreciate it. You will surprise yourself with some fun conversations.
2. Listen more.
3. Clean out your closet. This is my wife’s favorite. I just donated some jeans I haven’t seen since high school (2009). Makes room for your next pair and someone could use them.

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