Over the past few weeks we have all been bombarded with lots of political propaganda – with the various parties vying for our vote in the general election held this month – hoping that we will choose their party – a choice that I sense has been difficult for many of us to make.

This all got me thinking about the many choices I have made – over the course of my lifetime – for at the end of the day – “All of life is about choices”.

I am so grateful that I live in a country where I am free to make my own choices in so many ways.

But of course many of the choices that I have made – and continue to make – are personal to my own life – and as a result they make me into who I am. For – I recognise that – “the choices we make today – shape the people we become tomorrow”.

I am – in so many ways – the product of the choices that I have made in the past – for “Everything in your life – is a reflection of a choice you once made “ and I can easily recognise that – in so much of my life. However – that quote goes on to say – if you want different results – make different choices” – and so – even though past choices influenced who I became – I continue to make choices all the time – and the end result so often changes me – and continues to shape me into the person I am today.

It can be quite hard at times – when the choices that I make are misunderstood – but I have learnt that I do need to make my own choices – and do what I feel is right for me – believing that – as this quote puts it – “Just because other people don’t understand your choices – it doesn’t mean you’re wrong – do what feels right to you”.

I guess I’ve not always chosen simply to – ‘do what feels right to me’. Some of the choices I have made – have been made in seeking to be in agreement with others – wanting to ‘fit in’ – and to be accepted.

But – “Acceptance is not about agreeing with everything – but about embracing the differences that make us who we are” – or – as someone else put it – “Accepting others doesn’t mean agreement – it means acknowledging their truth – and respecting their right to be themselves”

I am so grateful – for those in my life who have respected my choices – even if they may not have completely agreed – or understood – why those choices were made. And – as I continue- making choices – on my journey – becoming more true to myself – I say – “Thank you – for accepting me without judgement – and allowing me to be my authentic self”.

Blessings – Lois