Got Any Strongholds?

Happy Valentine's Day!

Would You Change Your Past If You Could?

If you had a chance to do it all over again, would you?

Have you ever had those moments when you wish you could go back in time? Many of us would not hesitate a bit. Can you imagine if we were given a chance in our lifetime to undo some things from our past, to change our fate? I imagine all the things that I would change, things I would not say or do. Connections I would have avoided and paths I would have not taken, knowing what I know now.

For some of us, going back would probably do much good than bad, but have we ever thought by going back in time to change our destiny also means that we would miss some of our greatest blessings now? What if in our misfortune then, we had gained a great thing now, would we still want to change the “misfortune” knowing that changing it would cost us to lose that great thing now? For example, what if an unwise decision gave you your only child? Because of your broken legs you created and became the most successful business person? Doctors find an antidote through your sickness? Would you still want to change the moment you broke your legs? Had your child? Or became sick?

Changing our destiny is changing the course which would have prevented or caused us to gain or lose certain opportunities in our life. What I mean is that the path we took from our past has led us somehow to land where we are now, meeting the people in our life now, or become the person we are now. Consequently, choosing another path could lead us to other kind of connections, set our feet on different grounds, and/or become a different kind of person for the better or for worst.   

In reality, no one knows for sure how different life would turn out if one decides to change his or her past. It is one of those things we cannot really determine the outcome even when we try to perceive what it could be, but know for sure some things will definitely change in our life.

As I mentioned earlier, changing our past could be very well for our best or for our worst. However, whatever our wishful thinking is today cannot do a thing in the past. We have today to worry about. We can definitely change our fate today and become who we want to become tomorrow. After all, remember, today will be a thing in the past tomorrow.

© February 2013 Natacha Michel

What Did You Say?

“Words can take any form. Weapons, aide, nourishment, etc.” ― Brandon A. Trean

  

Earlier this week, I was part of a collaborative meeting focusing on organizational change. The team leader posed a question for the group to dissect with the intent of finding a solution to a more effective work environment. Everyone was sharing their thoughts and ideas. While some people were not either for or against a new work setting, other people had already designed plans in place ready to revamp the offices.  As people shared their ideas, one person said “a little décor would do this place well to get it out of its depressive state, it’s such disarray.”  The room went silent. Although most people in the room knew this person did not make the statement with malicious thought, the words had come out wrong. Words are powerful: they can lift up and they can tear down.

Most of us have heard this statement in one way or another “if you don’t have to say something nice, don’t say anything at all.” Although words are free to flow from our thought to our mouth, it requires a certain practice and devotion to dictate them in ways that are uplifting, encouraging, and honoring.  If your words cannot help, nourish, or love, it’s better to zip it.

© 2013 Natacha Michel