Sometimes I wish life came with a reset switch. Kind of like the Staples Easy Button, but better. When I’ve made a stupid decision, just flip the switch and we’re back to the moment before the poor choice but with the added knowledge time provides. Like system restore on a computer, it would definitely have it’s advantages.
I’m not sure if it’s just a product of my generation or if most people have wished for a do-over. Video games only seem to encourage the idea. If I’m losing, it’s so easy to start over. Some games even have the ability to rewind in the midst of play to a point prior to the moment you want erased. How convenient is that! I can’t tell you how many times I’ve wished that I could find that box Mario found that gave him unbeatable strength or even an extra life. It’s never happened, but I hoped for it nonetheless.
In all honesty, sometimes I get so overwhelmed, I just want to unplug the machine. Don’t take me wrong, this isn’t about giving up; it’s about escaping the things that push me to the brink. It would be far easier to unplug the machine before it crashes then deal with the situations life sometimes puts in our path. It’s in that moment I want to hide from life’s trials and reboot the system.
It would be advantageous. I would never be fearful of stepping out of my comfort zone because I could always go back to that moment before I took a risk. Think of the chances you would take! Some good, some not so good. Come to think of it, life without consequence might seem appealing, anarchy often does, but some choices shouldn’t be made.
The disadvantages of a life lived with no thought given to cause and effect far outweighs any foreseen benefits. It doesn’t mean we shouldn’t take risks, but they need to calculated. We need to be wise and make decisions fully aware of possible consequences.
Are you comfortable with the possible result of the decisions you’ve made today? Are there things you should have done and didn’t because you were afraid to fail? Are there things you wish you could take back?
The sooner we realize that we won’t hit it out of the park every time we step to the plate the better off we will be. It’s better to stand in the batter’s box and face the day swinging than sit on the bench because you’re afraid of the ball. Just because you’re at the plate doesn’t mean you should try to crush it over the fences. Some situations call for a bunt.
You have to be in the moment to know what the situation calls for, and you can’t be in the moment when you’re afraid to try or too overwhelmed to get involved. Chances are if we want to push the reset button our choices put us in that position and yes, not choosing to act is a choice. Rare is the time that we find ourselves in a predicament that’s completely out of our control. If we look back along the timeline of our lives we can probably find the exact moment that led us to the circumstance that’s got us frustrated and ready to blow.
So before you hit the reset, take a moment and look at where you’re at. Once you’ve come to grips with the idea that somewhere along the path your choices, however round about, brought you to this place, accept it. OWN IT! Make the most of it. Figure out what one thing you could change right now to make it better and do it.
Change comes from within, not without, and it takes a great deal of determination to achieve. Don’t make wholesale changes and set unreasonable expectations on your day! That’s what leads us to frustration. Find joy in the moments where you are truly doing what you’ve been called to do, it will help to temper the times when you’re carrying someone else’s ball. And when you’ve done all you can do, as Paul stated so wisely, stand. You have choices to make today! Choose wisely!
Mismatched Adventures 