Options A, B, or C

Traveling into town from my little country estate (just a 5-acre plot of home!), there are a number of ways I can go. Essentially, three little towns are the identifiers of the various pathways. Yelm. Rainier. Tenino. They each have their challenges and depending on the end destination and the time of day, I get to choose which way I want to go.

I was struck by this the other day. Options. I have options!

Too many have no options, and they are stuck going the same way all the time. School buses, storms, or traffic issues may block their paths, but they have no other options.

I’m thankful for my options! I get to plan which path to take! I will check the traffic flow on my phone app, think about the pathway of stops I need to take, and then choose!

But there are many areas of life where I have no options, and, like many others, I feel stuck with following the only path available. It’s that “stuck” feeling that talks to me today.

A few years ago, at the start of a driving vacation to a neighboring state, my bride asked, “Which way do we go?” I vaguely pointed eastward, and said, “That way!” Which road? Doesn’t it matter? What’s the fastest? Again, doesn’t matter. Why? We were in no rush and had time to spare to go any ol’ way and know that we would get there eventually. In fact, I had not even mapped it out, nor planned the stops along the way. We were simply meandering toward our destination.

Here’s My Thought Today

Sometimes life allows us to wander loosely through some vague plan, but too often our destination has some firm parameters and we must work hard to keep our focus narrowed for success. From that far off future of retirement, or that empty nest syndrome, or helping the kids through college – all require focus and determination.

There’s nothing like planning for retirement when you have time on your side for the investments to accrue to a comfortable margin so you will not run out of funds when you finally pull the plug. But wait until later in life? Then it’s Scramble City, All Hands on Deck!

Perhaps it’s better to think for the future with options identified, or eyes wide open for options not yet seen along the way, instead of trying to follow a plan that gives no margins for changes.

Some say “having options” is the value of wealth, a college education, or time for the best decision to be determined. Having no time? You may have only one option! Having no education? Well, this doesn’t mean you can’t do something better with your life, but the exploration of options during learning sure helps point you to your dream! No money in the pocket? Well, then, perhaps you have all the options in the world that you are willing to work hard for and not have it easily attainable.

Knowing My Options

Growing up in Houston
I learned early the importance of identifying options based on traffic issues.
Learn the freeways, side roads, and know your directions!
Listen to the radio and let the traffic news help direct you.
Be willing to go a different route even if it’s miles out of the way!
Getting stuck in traffic is not fun!
Knowing alternatives is so very cool!

In my current state (Washington) I refuse to travel to or through Seattle unless there are simply no other options! The options of traveling speedily do not exist, especially if your destination is on the other side of the city!

But there comes a time when most of us fail to use our options wisely. We go for the “lesser of two evils” or the “easy win”. Especially when we know either choice is not the best option, we choose (vote) for the one that has fewer issues or potential problems or quicker satisfaction. We pay the consequences of our choice of options!

Maybe, then, what we need to do is develop more options! Don’t be blind to that which we cannot see with our rose colored glasses. Strive to uncover the options. Give yourself the energy to choose!

Choosing The Best Option For You

It’s almost like that Robert Frost poem about the choice of the road taken, and the image of the one not taken.

I shall be telling this with a sigh
Somewhere ages and ages hence:
Two roads diverged in a wood, and I—
I took the one less traveled by,
And that has made all the difference. [Source]

One last thought. We’ve seen the pictures of the starting locations of some of the great modern companies. [Source] Starting down a path does not require all the best options available. It only requires that you take the leap of faith and move down the path where you think you will find your success.

Not Moving is Not An Option!