Do you have control of your life, or does it have control of you?

If I had been asked this question prior to the last few months I would have felt that I was in control.  My children are all grown, out of the house, and doing well.  My husband and I both have successful jobs that we love.  We can do what we want!  We were in control!  Right?

Well ... as long as what we want can accommodate a 1 hour commute each way daily from our home three counties away from our work.  As long as what we want includes enduring the stress that rush hour traffic in Indianapolis brings.   As long as what we want includes the fact that any time we want to do things with friends in either our home or work location, we know it will mean extra travel, expense, and time for us.  Ok, maybe we weren't all that in control.

You see we had a beautiful truck that had all the "bells and whistles" you could want, but we couldn't justify the expense of driving it all that much.  We had a more cost effective car we dud drive, but no amenities with it.  We have a beautiful home on 11 acres of wooded land that we love but rarely get to enjoy due to our schedules.  We loved the things available to us downtown near our work, but lived too far away to really enjoy it.

We finally came to the realization that while our lives were certainly more free than in times past, we were still controlled by many of the "things" in our lives.  This week was a pivotal time for us as we addressed the issues, talked about our options, discussed what we were willing to get rid of, and what we weren't.  What we decided was that change needed to happen.  However, with compromise we could get control back in some areas, without losing everything that we love.  Changes were made, sacrifices were made, decisions were made final.  Was it scary?  Only initially.   However, once the decision was made, the result has been a more relaxed, calm, and "at peace" feeling than we have had in a long time.  

Change is never easy.  It causes us to alter what is comfortable and familiar and causes us to do something that hasn't been tried before.  What if it doesn't work?  You will have one less thing on your list to try!  What if we hate it? You will have learned something new about yourself! What if we miss our old life? You can always change back, or try something different next!

But just consider for a moment, the possibility that this change can give you your life back!  Imagine the short and long term implications of that on your health and wellbeing. Think about the possibilities it could give. Then boldly go where you have never gone before, and dare to do something different.  Take control of your life!  You only get one life to live, and you want it to be the best one possible.

I know I am, and I can't wait to see how it changes me, my husband, and our lives moving forward.