Choices and Consequences by Diane Burton

Our lives are fashioned by our choices. First we make our choices. Then our choices make us. ~ Anne Frank

One of the hardest things for a parent is to teach children that choices have consequences. Too often we want to protect them by preventing them from making a poor choice or bailing them out of a bad situation. From the time my grandchildren started climbing, my daughter’s frequent refrain was “make a better choice” instead of “don’t do this” or “don’t touch that.” And when they continued anyway, she told them “as a consequence” they had time out.

A better choice. And consequences. The choices we make—whether consciously or unconsciously—affect us in ways we cannot imagine. Not doing something is a choice. Little, everyday decisions accumulate and have consequences. When my husband changed jobs or was transferred, things happened fast. He went to work in the new town, leaving me behind to put a house of for sale. Putting off painting the front hall, repairing that screen door from the dog’s claws, and other household chores caught up. Should have made a better choice.

At the end of February, we had all the documents needed for taxes. Past history told me “corrected” documents could come in March. So I kept putting off gathering all the info to take to our tax person. Did I consciously make a decision not to work on taxes? Nope. I was preoccupied with my newest WIP. Writing about space adventures was much more interesting than gathering medical expenses or figuring out business miles. Avoidance was a choice. And the consequences were that last week I scrambled to get ready for Friday’s appointment.

Procrastination is my middle name. Granted, I work better under deadlines. It’s amazing how much I can get done when I have to. Not so amazing is that I could have done things ahead of time—like the taxes. Procrastination is a choice. Choices have consequences.

As I write this post, a line from a Robert Frost poem kept swirling around in my head. This ending from “The Road Not Taken” is perfect choice on which to end this post.

“Two roads diverged in a wood, and I—

I took the one less traveled by,

And that has made all the difference.”

Diane Burton writes romantic adventure . . . stories that take place on Earth and beyond. She blogs here on the 8th and 30th of each month and on Mondays on her own site: http://dianeburton.blogspot.com/

Of Sails and Choices by Margo Hoornstra

She stood in the storm and when the wind did not blow her way, she adjusted her sails. ~ Elizabeth Edwards

Our lives are fashioned by our choices. First we make our choices. Then our choices make us. ~ Anne Frank

Two great quotes, words to live by really, from two vastly different real life heroines.

We all change direction, depending upon what life chooses to throw our way. That’s what I was always taught, how my husband and I raised our kids.

Aside from the studies and grades, they knew it was also their job in school to get along with everyone, difficult people or not. Though we always provided the basic parental support, they were the ones who needed to solve any problems for themselves. Right or wrong, my philosophy is – if someone wants something bad enough, they’ll figure it out.

It’s how we all learn and grow. Even survive.

A magazine article I read recently brought home to me how very important having that adapt or else mindset can be. It seems a young girl grew up with her life all mapped out. She went to college, networked her way into the job of her dreams and happily, if not naively, settled in for the long haul. Then the unthinkable, better known as budget cuts happened, and valuable as she thought she was, this young woman soon found herself out of a job. To paraphrase the gist of what she said. Our generation was given trophies simply for showing up. I’d never faced true adversity before and was utterly stunned, with no clue how to proceed.

The article actually had a happy ending, in my mind at least, because she was forced to ‘figure it out’. Necessity made her reevaluate her skill set and re-engineer her life.

Finally.

I still drive my kids nuts-part of the mother’s job description to be sure-with the phrase ‘welcome to the real world’ as they discuss their current problems, along with possible solutions.

And believe me, I do take my own advice in this real world of ours.

In the spirit of sails readjustments, making choices and such, I took back the rights to three previously published novellas, did a bit of editing, then self-published them in a single volume. Many who have read me here and on my own blog, already know that.

Saturday In Serendipity is three stories about love rediscovered at a twenty year high school reunion.

Then I was faced with another choice. Let the book sit out there, all but unnoticed, or pound the virtual pavement to, hopefully, invite some interest.

So, beginning March 16th and continuing through April 11th, I’m traveling the internet thanks to Buy The Book Tours. Click here to see where I’ve been and where I will be along with everything about the tour in between. Hope you can join me at some point.

Oh, and, by the way, fellow Rose Jannine Gallant, did what I did with some previously published stories of hers, Road To Serendipity was the result of her efforts.

My days to blog here are the 11th and 23rd. For more about me and my stories, please visit my website.