It All Boils Down to Choices

The choices we make throughout our lives carve our path in front of us.

For better or for worse, we are the creators, the architects, the authors whom ultimately shape our future.

Some people are blessed with a clear vision about their lives.  They know what they want to accomplish and are focus each step of the way. I admire them.

This is not my case.

For the most part of my existence, I have seen myself as free-spirited. Probably to avoid the harsh reality of acknowledging my lack of consistency.  In fact, I am still struggling.

When I started to write Anticipation, I was enthusiastic and eager for someone to read the novel. I received great feedback and for the most part, they loved the story. However, as I learned more about writing and its process, I decided to edit the book.

It wasn’t long before my excitement vanished and my focus turned back to painting.

Editing is an arduous and time-consuming part of writing.

To justify my lack of attention, my first thought was simple… I must make the time to paint again. Although, this was the first of many excuses to come, it was true that I had pushed aside my greatest passion for the thrill of writing.

Nevertheless, I didn’t want to see the underlying theme to avoid the truth. This truth, my truth, is that when the tough gets going, I usually turn to something else. Yes, I am accepting that I lack persistence. I have quit other projects for this same reason.

On the other hand, through the years I learned that lashing out at myself or regretting my choices do nothing.  I also learned that happiness is important. Being joyful is the bearer of a healthy body, mind, soul and life.

I am in a relationship that I want to keep. I have a job I need to focus. I have family and gatherings to attend. I want to paint as well as write. To top it off, I am taking classes.

That said, however, it all boils down to choices. I must find a balance in my life, so I may keep my sanity and bliss, while achieving my goals. At least this is my intention and wish. I also need to be objective and learn to priorities. I admire those of you that do it all and more. I wish I had that trait or a magic wand to make it easier :D .

In other words, I must make some sacrifices choices. However, it is not easy. This means having to postpone the release date of my book, again! I also hate to admit that writing a blog takes time away from editing (my book), painting, family, boyfriend and studying. This leaves me with a clear path.

Although, you will be seeing less of me here, I will pop up occasionally to read your blogs, maybe write a few lines or post a new painting.

I will miss the constant interaction I had with all of you (sniff sniff :( ) However, as sad as it sounds (the drama queen in me), I believe this is a step to overcome one of my greatest obstacles and a hope that one day I will reach my many goals.

I wish you all the very best and leave you with the quote below by Walter Elliot.

“Perseverance is not a long race; it is many short races one after the other”

30 comments to It All Boils Down to Choices

  1. Healthy A-Z says:

    It sounds like you have a good grasp of the factors surrounding your life…and their relative importance to you. I applaud you for that! I’ll miss your regular presence in the blog world, but I’ll look forward, with anticipation, to the times you do visit and share your life’s journey. All the best to you, my new South Florida friend!!

  2. I am sure you will find that perfect balance to be able to accomplish all your goals and desires at the same time, without loosing your mind or focus. Even if that means less time with us, or maybe just one edited page of your book at a time instead of two… you choose! =) just remember that the key is balance! I wish you will find it as you go…
    “It does not matter how slowly you go as long as you do not stop.” ― Confucius

    • Thank you for your words and wishes. I do hope to find the balance I seek – to keep my sanity.
      Love that quote as well! In fact, I love quotes. Within one or two lines they convey such a powerful message. Thanks for sharing it. Every bit counts. I will see you around. All the best. xoxoxoxo

  3. bookpeeps says:

    I so relate to your poignant and honest post and while I’m sorry that I won’t be hearing further from you on this blog, I completely understand your decision. I too, flit from this and that and I’ve, finally, accepted who I am and how I operate in this life. I now see it as a positive rather than a negative. Perhaps our destiny, this time around, is to experiment and discover, not to make a “final” decision but a “decision for now”. We like to keep our minds open to possibilities and our priorities will change based on what is going on in our lives at the moment. It seems to me you have your current priorities in perfect order and while it is difficult to have to cross some things off the ever-growing list, remember that change is what life is all about and it’s our resistance to change that will hold us back. Clearly, you are moving forward, as it should be. Much happiness and success in all of your endeavors!

  4. Your positive energy is awesome!
    Something that has helped me make this decision is knowing what i want and who I am. I love what you said about this is a “decision for now”, for this moment it works. If my circumstances change, I will have to adjust and make other decisions that will be best for that particular moment.
    Thank you for your encouragement and wise words. Yours, and every one else’s comments, mean so much to me.
    I wish you the same and will see you around.
    Take care. :D

  5. Mary says:

    I’m sad for us but, very happy for you. Blogs, as I’m finding, are a labor of love – good or bad it takes the time that may be devoted to something else. I admire that you came to the conclusion that your life and goals (writing and painting) are your priority today. Do you know how big that progress is? It’s huge, because in the end you’ll achieve what you’ve been going after – this I am sure you’re way too talented. So Patricia, while you are a new friend in the blog world, I feel that I’m blessed to have met you. I’ve no doubt we’ll continue to communicate, only not as often. I only wish you the very best in your writings and paintings, and look forward to the day you share your future successes with us. We’ll be right here applauding! Take care, your friend from Texas ~ Mary

    • Mary, your words mean so much to me. I love that we connected. It is funny to read your take on this. My feelings toward this decision were not only difficult and sad, but I never saw them as if I was making progress. It is amazing how changing the perspective a few degrees can shed new light to it. Thank you for that! I feel the love and your kindness. I wish you the same. And as you said, you also have a friend in Miami.
      I will check in on and off, at least to say hello.
      Many Blessings.
      Love, Pati

  6. I relate to what you are saying completely – I’ve blogged about the subject myself. Will miss your posts and I hope everything works out for you the way you want it to :-)

  7. Good luck Patricia! Nobody really does it all, we must be stingy with some parts now and then!

  8. wordsurfer says:

    Wait, what? Oh. I mean… You won’t be writing here at all anymore? Or for now? This is so sad!

    Then again, I love that you sound really confident and content with your life in this post. I’m sure it’s the right decision, if it feels right to you. All the very best with all you’ve got going on in your life and don’t forget us!

  9. I am so totally with you here. Yes, editing sucks. However, it has to be done and while other things can seem muchmore appealing in the short term, you still have to face it eventually. I know exactly what you mean by making choices about what is most important and what needs to be done as I’m in exactly the same position. In fact, I could have written this post myself, I think! My trick is to offer myself a reward at the end – in this case, when my first draft is finished I’m getting a manicure to thank my fingers for their hard work. Maybe with editing you can have a facial to thank your eyes and brain. :)

    By the way, I just wanted to let you know that you’ve been nominated for the Very Inspiring Blogger Award and the One Lovely Blog Award. Check here for more information: http://emilystealeaves.wordpress.com/2012/10/22/more-blog-awards/
    cheers!

    • That is a great idea Emily! I will reward myself when I am done. Thanks for the suggestions and awards. I am flattered. However, I hope you understand that even though I accept the nominations I will not be able to reply to them. I do appreciate it though.
      Cheers to you too. :D

  10. Zen A. says:

    Awww… it’s sad to hear that you won’t be around as much, Patricia. =[ Though I do respect your choice. After all, it’s important to put one’s real life before everything else. Good luck with everything, I hope it all works out for you! And don’t forget to come and say hi every once in a while!

    • I will miss you guys! But I know this is the right thing to do. At least until I am finished editing the book. In fact, I already finished the first chapter! I hope to read yours and other posts on the weekend.
      See you around! xoxo

  11. cav12 says:

    Sometimes the decisions we make may take us on a path we don’t expect either! All the best Patricia and I will be checking back to see how you’re getting on. I’m pretty certain you will sort it all out :)

  12. I am sure that you will be at your best in what ever you do..your creativity, hard work and a genius mind will show you way in the tough times..anyways I will be keenly waiting for your next post and even your book…Regards

  13. Mari says:

    I totally understand how you feel! I especially identify with this part of your post:
    “This truth, my truth, is that when the tough gets going, I usually turn to something else. Yes, I am accepting that I lack persistence. I have quit other projects for this same reason.” because I am the same way! I am terrible at keeping my focus on something long enough to see it through, unless I really make myself do it. BUT I do tend to shift my focus to easier, less challenging, tasks when the things I’m doing get tougher.

    I’m sad (because I’m a little selfish ;) ) that we won’t be seeing as much of you here but it makes me happy, for you, to see that you’ve got a clear vision of your goals and what you need to do to achieve them.

    Best of luck, Patricia!

    -Mari

  14. Jim says:

    Good post. Revealing, honest. I hear you and I’m right there with ya. Looking to make a “choice’ soon about my career but a bit confused. I wish you the best and congrats on the decision. The moment of decision is powerful.

  15. Nifti says:

    Sacrifices vs. choices. Excellent read Patricia. I share similar point of view and approach to life. Many many projects, hard to keep track. But I don’t call a pause quitting, but growth and persistence, because we always come back… And finish :)

    No matter how long it takes.

Comments are welcome!

Please log in using one of these methods to post your comment:

WordPress.com Logo

You are commenting using your WordPress.com account. Log Out / Change )

Twitter picture

You are commenting using your Twitter account. Log Out / Change )

Facebook photo

You are commenting using your Facebook account. Log Out / Change )

Connecting to %s