I'm throwing down a challenge. There, I’ve said it.  

I'm asking you to become more aware, more intentional in the choices you make. Why? Because behind every action you take, there's a choice, and these choices? Well, they're the architects of your life.

Think about it, one day in the future, you might find yourself wondering, "How did I end up here?" But you see, you got there with every choice you made. So, let's explore the world of choices and uncover the incredible power they hold in our lives.

When Doors Slide Open

I recall watching a movie called Sliding Doors, starring the ever-talented Gwyneth Paltrow. The film was a unique exploration of how choices can send our lives hurtling down entirely different paths. It split the protagonist's life into two parallel realities based on one simple choice – whether she caught a train or missed it.

This movie resonated with me deeply because it highlighted a fundamental truth: every choice we make, no matter how small, has a consequence. It's the Law of Cause and Effect, where every action has an equal and opposite reaction. 

Our lives are a canvas painted with choices, and each one creates a ripple effect that reverberates through time.

Crossroads Mean Choices

Let me share a personal story that illustrates the power of choices. There was a point in my life when I found myself at a crossroads, pondering the possibility of reigniting a romance with an ex-partner. We both still felt a strong connection to each other and decided to explore where that might lead.

However, fate had other plans. At my cousin's wedding in Cebu, I collided with someone entirely unexpected. Our connection was magnetic, and we couldn't get enough of each other.

When I returned home to Dubai after the wedding, I found myself torn between two potential paths. On one side, the prospect of reconnecting with my ex was tempting, and on the other, was the excitement of a budding connection with someone new. It was a choice I had to make, a decision that weighed on my heart.

Integrity Matters

The choice was clear – I couldn't explore both paths simultaneously. It was a matter of integrity, not just towards these two individuals, but towards myself. To give a new connection the attention and care it deserved, I knew I had to close the door on the past.

I met my ex for a coffee and shared my truth. As much as I cherished the idea of rekindling our relationship, I had met someone new and felt compelled to give this new connection my undivided attention. It was a hard conversation, filled with doubts and uncertainties, but it also felt like the right thing to do. I had chosen to live with integrity.

You see, life operates on a simple principle – either you give your 100% to someone or you don’t get that back. 

Things moved incredibly fast from there. A month later, the man I met at the Indian wedding proposed. I knew without a doubt that he was the one I wanted to spend my life with, so I said ‘Yes!’

Choices Have Ripple Effects

Imagine if I had kept both doors open. Would things have unfolded as quickly as they did? Probably not. I would have merely postponed my future and had to grapple with the consequences of not being true to myself and the people involved.

This experience reinforced my belief that living a life guided by virtues is essential, for the universe has this no-nonsenseway of reflecting back to us the energy and intention we put out. It's an as you sow, so shall you reap moment – our actions bear consequences, neither good nor bad, but consequences nonetheless.

Embracing Responsibility

So, what's the takeaway from all this? When you make choices in your life, be mindful of their consequences. Embrace responsibility and hold yourself accountable for every decision you make. Your choices are like seeds, and the future is the harvest. So plant them wisely. 

Because when those doors slide close, you’ll have to live with the consequences of the choices you made.