Decide

To make decisions on a lifestyle of simplicity - sounds easy? It is a decision, however, that requires a lot of thinking, commitment and determination. This is especially true when you change from a lifestyle involving a successful career, and all the associated conveniences of living in a major city.

The nagging question that kept running through my mind was, "Am I content to stay where I was?" The answer was, "How could I be content with a lifestyle where I had little control of my time, a lifestyle comprised of stress and demands, a lifestyle of insecurity with never knowing from one day to the next the long term stability of the company I worked for."

As I talked about a lifestyle of simplicity, there were many people who gave their advice freely. Many people thought my goal of a simpler lifestyle was a crazy. I can remember people saying, "you'll never make it". And, then there were those who said nothing, but I could tell by their actions that they thought I was only dreaming. While I weighed others advice, ultimately the decision was one that I had to make. My inner voice kept saying, "You are the one who has to decide. Set the goal. Take the action."

I knew as I moved toward the lifestyle of simplicity, that I would face obstacles and setbacks as I journeyed towards this goal. Did I have the energy, the knowledge and the resources to face these obstacles?

One day as I was reading, I came across the poem, "Decide", by Edgar A. Guest. It summarized all of my feelings, and made me realize that, yes, I could do it.

Decide
by Edgar A Guest

You are the person who has to decide.
Whether you'll do it or toss it aside;

You are the person who makes up your mind.
Whether you'll lead or will linger behind.

Whether you'll try for the goal that's afar.
Or just be contented to stay where you are.

The poem helped me to crystallize my feelings. The line that states, "whether you'll lead or linger behind" struck home for me. I was a leader in my profession, yet I was not being a leader in my own life. I didn't want to be one of those people who looked back on their life and wondered, "what would have happened if I …..?"

My goals set, action taken, the realization of a simpler lifestyle unfolded happened for me. Yes, I faced obstacles and set backs along the way, but my determination and desire to achieve my goal saw me through. With each obstacle or set back, I would remind myself that everything happens for a reason and that there is good in it. My philosophy on life has always been that when faced with an obstacle that seems insurmountable there is always a solution if you want it bad enough.

A life of simplicity has brought me contentment and has opened other doors for me that would never have been possible. Decide - I am glad I did!