Sandee Sez: Life is about making choices
- Sandra Ahenakew | August 06, 2014
George Jones had a song called "Choices" - there aren't too many Aboriginal folks who haven't heard of George. Many of us remember making some of the toughest choices when we were young adults. "What do I want to be when I grow up?" "Should I have a drink or puff of that joint?" An Elder once told me that there is nothing more important than our "home fire" - that fire represents our grandchildren, children, spouses, aunts and uncles. "There is no room for drugs and alcohol in our homne fire," he said. Choose to live an alcohol and drug free life.
Maybe we chose to quit school, maybe we decided to take that drink whatever the choice you make, be aware of the consequences.
"There comes a time in your life when you walk away from all the drama and people who create it. You surround yourself with people who make you laugh. Forget the bad, and focus on the good. Love the people who treat you right, pray for the ones who don't. Life is too short to be anything but happy. Falling down is a part of life, getting back up is living."
As the great entertainer James Brown said, "Get on up."
As I look back on my life, I see that my friends had more influence on many of those early choices. If I could do it over, I would make different choices (everything is clearer when we are looking back). I don't envy the youth of today. Well, truthfully I do envy their youth.
They have way more information available at their fingertips: computers, internet, and television. Good advice, but what do Dr. Phil and Dr. Oz know about being an Aboriginal youth? Not much I suspect.
Don't get me wrong - I am not saying that you should make your choices based on television programs, internet advice and radio programs. The reality is that many Aboriginal youth are left alone to make decisions with little or no guidance and if all they have is the internet, I guess that is better than nothing. Consider using all of the information you can get your hands on to make the really important decisions in your life; this should include having discussions with your parents/grandparents or guardians, school counsellors or speaking to a respected Elder in your community. Spend time with you family.
Chances are if it doesn't feel like the right choice - it probably isn't.
Remember that some choices will affect the rest of your life, so choose wisely and in the case of quitting school, think long and hard about that one. We have to find a balance between what our minds tells us and what our hearts want us to do - somewhere in between the two is the right choice. In our ever-changing world there will always be choices. Spend some time thinking about what you want from your life and find the path to get you there. Be aware and be careful.
Make good choices and enjoy the time the Creator has given you. Your friends and family may not always like the choices you make; you may not like the choices you make!
Know that you are not alone; we all are in the same boat when it comes to choices and at the end of the day, we are the ones that will have to live with the choices we make.
In this world of choices, I will share what I have found helpful in my life - laughter! Take time to laugh and enjoy life because it truly is a gift. There are other parts of your life that are more deserving of your energy and attention, right here, right now. Personally, I have found laughter to be the best medicine. Humour is a universal language - it's a contagious emotion and a natural distraction. Best of all it is free and has no known side effects. So tune into your favourite sitcom on television. Read a funny book. Call a friend and chuckle for a few minutes. It even helps to force a laugh once in a while. You'll find your stress melting away almost instantly. Laughter is one of the easiest ways to relieve stress. It will make you more alive, healthier, and more creative. Just relax. You will discover you have a natural talent for loving life. Remember to laugh a lot every day.
In our ever-changing world, there will always be choices put before you. Spend some time thinking about what you want from your life and find the path to get you there. I heard that life is like eating a jar of hot peppers, what we do today, can burn our butts tomorrow. Your friends and family may not always like the choices you make. Know that you are not alone; we all are in the same situation when it comes to choices, and at the end of the day, we are the ones that will have to live with the consequences. Advice for us all - enjoy your life. Spend time with your family and most importantly, love yourself. It is my hope that all of you reading will choose to take care of your health and make good choices. I enjoy hearing from you. Contact me at Sandee Sez c/o Eagle Feather News, P.O. Box 924 Station Main, Saskatoon, SK S7K 3M4.