Making a Choice to Manifest Your Best Life

By Neeti Paul Sethi

She came, she saw, she conquered.

This is a really old narrative…

Wanna hear a new one?

She was always here, she refused to see what others saw, and she secretly wished to conquer…her fears that is.

Life is divided into two aspects. 

Image and happiness

Some choose happiness over image and struggle in a world that judges their lack of achievement. Others choose image over happiness and struggle in a world that never stops to rest. Some are ambitious enough to strive for both but still end up struggling to strike a balance.

No matter what you choose, or what you prioritize, there will always be FOMO on what’s on the other side.

It takes courage to let go of something. Even if it’s the need to be seen, recognized, and acknowledged.

The need to be seen and the need to not be judged often coincide. How can we not be judged if we are seen? And how can we be seen fully if we don’t put ourselves out there, vulnerable and available for criticism?

While it takes courage to pick a side, not picking one doesn’t make life any easier.

So what I’m trying to say is, sometimes we are too focused on making the right decision. The truth is there might not be a right or wrong decision most of the time. We just have to pick a path. Being perfect and doing our best is a myth. Don’t fall for it. Just do what resonates with you. Obviously, ensure that it’s ethical and harmless. Some basic rules of social conduct need to be followed. But apart from being careful that you are not going to hurt the society or environment, you can never be too careful, too cautious. Every action has a consequence and no matter what you choose, you willingly or unknowingly sacrifice something else. 

This is how it works.

Inaction is also an action.

Not making a decision is also a decision. 

Not taking risks is also a risk you are willing to take.

No matter what you do (or not do), you are making a choice. 

Therefore, I cannot stress enough on the need to take charge and be accountable. That way instead of blaming others or your circumstances, you can be content in knowing that you did all you could. That’s called sportsman spirit. You play all the passes that life has handed you. You play your best hand. It may not be the best, but at that moment it’s your best. Maybe in a few years, you will handle the situation differently. There is no guarantee however that it will work out any better.

Never ridicule what you did in the first place. Embrace it. Accept it. Live it. Learn from it. Grow from it.

That’s what life is about. It always comes full circle. It always gives you another opportunity to choose things differently. And eventually, you will realize that most often you still don’t.

Even after all that experience and all that contemplation, very few actually change their pattern. Very few actually choose a different path when given another chance. And why should they? That’s who they probably are. Maybe that’s exactly how they want to live.

What may be desirable for one may not tempt the other. There is no standard path and one should not follow a template made by another or based on a social trend. It is important to notice the inward trend though. How every decision impacts your inner world. Does it break you or it pushes you to be better? And who is to say that either one is bad. Breaking gives an opportunity to be rebuilt. And pushing harder takes one to heights that were unimaginable once. 

I firmly believe that if we gotta get somewhere, we will get there. The pace may vary, the path may vary and companions may vary. But the destination is mostly static and we ultimately find a way.

The journey can not be linear, and most often one takes more steps backward than they take forward. Let’s not judge ourselves or others for not doing something a certain way or by a certain timeline. As long as you keep on doing something, as long as you keep moving, you will get there. 

So don’t be afraid to take a step. Whatever you choose, do it with full energy, enthusiasm, faith, and confidence. Embrace your decision and believe that it’s the right one. The universe will ensure that you get the best outcome or the best lesson. Either way, it’s a win-win. Make a choice and don’t double guess after locking it. After that, all you have to do is show up every day consistently and that’s enough.