A constant decision.
Things don't just happen to us. We shape our lives with the decisions that we make from the choices that we think we have. It's not about making the right decisions right away, but it's also about realizing that there are more choices for us, or even realizing that there is a choice.
Looking beyond.
When we're too caught up in the moment, we often fail to see the bigger picture. When faced with a seemingly giant problem, we default into tunnel vision and forget about the many joys that still surround us. Once we take a step back and wipe our eyes, we see that it is not as bad as we thought it was.
Doing the best thing.
We can be pressured to do the right thing, but sometimes doing the right thing is not the best thing. We must know how to navigate the grey areas in our lives in order to preserve ourselves, our values, and our relationships.
Enough drama. 😅
Sharing with you some more photos of my trip to Blue Lake in Rotorua, New Zealand. The official name of the place is Lake Tikitapu. It's such a cute name for an expansive body of water. But as it turns out, the lake is indeed cute because it is the smallest lake among the many lakes in Rotorua.
The myth behind the lake was that long ago, a daughter of a tribal chief was bathing in the lake. She was wearing a sacred stone around her neck and it fell into the lake. That necklace was called Tikitapu, hence the name.
I could imagine her horror when she realized that the stone was no longer hanging from her neck. She must have been terrified of her father's anger. Maybe she tried to hide it, but she couldn't hide it forever. Eventually, she had to face the consequences and she'd be forever reminded of her mistake by the immortalized name of the lake.
That afternoon during my visit, the sun was blinding as it neared the horizon, casting long shadows along the waters and the grass. I was with my friend and I shared with her a problem I was facing during that time. I told her about it and she asked me, "Have you accepted every aspect of your situation?" Of course not, that was why it was still a problem.
I realized that it wasn't about coming up with the right solution. It was more of choosing to accept my situation and doing the best I could with it. I can't keep on hiding from it because I know I can't change it. I must move forward and take action, despite the constant reminder of past mistakes. Much like how the chief's daughter from the Lake story eventually accepted her fate and kept on living.