42. Pastures Green

When I overheard a conversation with the words “if only I had done this …if this had happened…then I would have been happy …”, it gave me a connotation of defeatism. Sadly, isn’t this quite common, and a waste of time and energy? I prefer the response of an American footballer, who when asked about his success over many years with the same team, said that the grass is not greener on the other side, but rather where we water it!

In my youth, I had no idea of where the choices I made would lead me. All I remember is that I remained fully engaged in everything I worked on and did.
Maybe I was lucky to have made the professional choices that gave me maximum fulfilment. Even when the going got tough I cannot remember ever having any regrets. By facing the rough with the smooth, it probably made me more flexible, ready to bend when appropriate and stand firm when circumstances called for it.

I have come to realise that there are no mistakes with whatever we do and experience. There is only action and result. Our continued focus, courage and conviction in the direction of our choices, leads to the next result.  When we want a different outcome, it becomes a case of learning new skills and retraining, no matter when this occurs in life. When this is done with conscious awareness and intelligence, it provides water to our pasture, bringing abundant new fruits.