They say, “Don’t get your hopes up because you are just opening yourself up for disappointment”

They say, “You should get a good education, so you can get a good job and retire with a nice pension.”

They say, “You should find a spouse, settle down, have kids and save for your retirement.”

Wait a second…

Who the hell are “they,” and why are we so damned quick to allow someone else to write the story of our lives?  None of us have any control over who our parents are, where we were born, or what we were taught as we grew up, and unfortunately a lot of these factors have heavily influenced our belief systems and play a major role in every decision we make.  The reality is, we all have the ability to make our own choices and to either accept or reject the messages we’ve been lulled into accepting as our reality.

I’m not saying it’s easy, and I’m not even saying those messages are bad or wrong.  In fact, I’d like to eliminate judgement from the equation and just encourage you to exercise your critical thinking skills and determine for yourself if what “they” say is true and accurate for YOU.  If you don’t, you’ll end up living a life where you allow someone else is the author of your story. The sad part is that you don’t even know who “they” are.

It’s not easy to break out of the patterns we’ve established as a result of the programming we’ve been subjected to throughout our lives.  This programming is ultimately what’s formed our belief systems. The behaviors we exhibit as a result of these beliefs can be very difficult to change.  Although it may be difficult, it is still possible.

Whenever I’m making a decision and I notice that I’m considering what “they” say I should do, I try to stop myself and ask, “What do I want to do, and what do I believe will make me happy?”  I’ve come to the realization that if I’m going to be happy, it’s up to me.  I am the person who’s forced to live with the ramifications of my decisions and nobody else.  To me, this is an indisputable fact and it’s not worth it to waste time and energy trying to disprove it.

Just like it’s my choice to disregard my past programming and not buy-in to how “they” say I should live my life, I believe it’s your prerogative to make your own decision as well.  If you’re happy with yourself and you find value in the programming that’s made you who you are over the years, then that’s great for you.  I’d simply challenge you to take the time to examine it to make sure you’re intentionally writing your own story instead of allowing someone else to do it for you.

Until next time … Enjoy each moment!

Pete