Don’t believe me? Read on.
Do you ever look back on your life and think “I wish I’d done xyz?” Or “If I’d done (insert whatever you wish you’d done) differently, my life would have turned out different.” I’m sure we all do. I used to do that often. Think back on decisions that I made, or were made for me. And wonder if my life would be different now if I’d taken a different path.
You see growing up I hated Seattle. I really did. I hated the rain, the clouds, the moody sky. I loved high school but couldn’t wait to get as far away from this place as possible. So when it came time to apply for college I applied to all out of state colleges. Gettysburg, Texas Christian, Pepperdine and USC. Then my mom and dad stepped in and said their only requirement was that I apply to one in state school. So I applied to the university furthest away but still on this side of the mountains (because as much as I hated Western Washington, I hated Eastern Washington even more).
So when I got the letter from USC saying I’d been accepted I was ecstatic! USC! They wanted ME! USC was top of my list. And this is where my life took the direction that would forever change my future. Because I didn’t get to go to USC. $40k a year (back in 2001) was a lot of money. And my parents had promised they would pay for my college. But they couldn’t afford that. By the time we came to this realization, all the other school acceptance deadlines had passed except wouldn’t you know, the one in-state school I’d applied to.
For many years I wondered what my life would be like if I’d been able to go to USC. I wondered if I’d be living in California still, or if I’d be back in Seattle, or somewhere completely different. I wondered if I’d have gotten a job at the company where I met my hubby (I mean, I know I wouldn’t have ever thought to apply there if I’d been living in California at the time). I wondered if my college experience would have been better and if I would have more friends from college than I do.
You see, we all have those moments where we wonder how we got to where we did. Did I make the right choices? Did decision x influence the path my life lead or was this what it was always meant to be? Christians say that God has a plan for all of us. I agree with that to a certain extent, but I also think that God gave us the freedom to make our own choices. He has a general plan for our lives, but the path we take to get there is our own doing. It may be a hard road for some of us, but eventually you will get to exactly where you’re meant to be.
[Tweet “We all have moments where we wonder if we made the right choices. I’m glad that I feel I’m right where I’m meant to be.”]
I guess I said all this just to say my life may have been completely different from what it is now if I’d gone to USC, but I feel like I’m right where I’m meant to be. And this is the first time I really, truly believe that. At 33 years old, I finally feel like I’m where I’m meant to be. God, or the universe, or my parents or whatever got me to this place I am now. And it’s exactly where I’m supposed to be. And boy does that feel good!
So if you ever question you’re life, wonder if you made the right decision, think about how your life could be different, just remember, you’re right where you’re meant to be.
I seriously love this post!! I have those thoughts sometimes…but then exactly like you said – we are where we are supposed to be!! xo, Biana –BlovedBoston
Great post!
http://www.rsrue.blogspot.com
1000% agree with this. I used to question decisions and choices in the past, but no I don’t anymore because all of those decisions led me to where I am now.
liz @ sundays with sophie
That butterfly effect. So crazy to think about the what ifs of life!
This is such a great reminder, Tiffany.
Very early on in my life, I realized looking back to learn from my past was the only benefit looking back would bring.
This is perfect! And I know exactly what you mean! I made a lot of dumb decisions growing up, and as much as I wish I would’ve done things differently, my decisions and my life lead me to my husband and to where we are today. And honestly, I wouldn’t change anything now!
I made some really terrible decisions when I was younger. I moved out on my own at 16, I ran with the wrong crowd, and then when I was ready to turn my life around and get an education, it was that much harder. I had no support, I had to work hard to finish grade 12 and then pursue my post secondary education.
However, I can’t wish any of that away. Perhaps it’s that path that made me the motivated, organized, hard working person I am now.
I trust the Lord and I know if I’m in tune to Him, I can’t go wrong in my future decisions.
Thanks for sharing.
xoxo
girl YES! There are so many big and little decisions that I look back on and wonder what my life would be like had I made a different choice. But I agree–we are exactly where we are meant to be for whatever reason.
OMG, we have almost the was exact same college story! Except I knew I’d be paying for it, but my mom was a single mom so I had figured I’d get financial aid… She remarried “well” my senior year of high school. We found out about my ZERO financial aid assistance after all the deadlines to apply for school had passed. I had only applied to out of state (UNC Chapel Hill was where I wanted to be) and private schools. At the last minute I applied for state school and was allowed to try out for their cheerleading team. I made the team before I was even officially accepted to the school! I always wondered what North Carolina or University of San Diego would have been like… But the debt would have been RIDIC and I’m so glad I stayed in state!
What a powerful, inspirational message! We all play the “what if” game for all sorts of things, BUT the fact of the matter is that this is the place we are supposed to be. Hard to accept sometimes, but an important point. Thank you for sharing this!
I remember planning to leave this area and never returning, but I too have remained. 🙂 I also feel like I am exactly where I’m meant to be, and I love it! It’s such a good feeling!
So much wisdom and insight here, Tiffany. You touch on a completely UNIVERSAL fear .. the one that whispers, “You. Missed. Out.” We don’t want to miss out and so we play mind games with the IFTTT.
One of my favorite quotes is this, “It’s amazing how you can get so far from where you had planned and yet find it was exactly where you needed to be.”
I loved these words of yours and all they remind me about the twists and turns in my own journey (just within less than two years) that dropped me here in the middle of this blogging adventure ~ Certainly something I NEVER planned and a place I last expected to be 🙂
Enjoying getting to know you through your words!
I can’t tell you how many times I’ve wondered just that; how would things be different if I made just one small decision otherwise? I love the thought that my decisions, though they were my own, were known to lead me right were I’m supposed to be.
What a thought provoking and revealing post Tiffany! As a serial planner myself,I struggled for years and still do at times with the “what ifs” as I continue to develop my relationship with Christ, the question has changed to , ” Are you sure about this God?” I think about what could be different, the marriage engagement that fell apart years ago, the job and friend choices I’ve made in the past. I now realize that everything happens for a reason. God has a plan for my life so now I trust Him and seek to remain in the center of His will for my life. Thanks again for sharing and my God bless you and yours!
Yes! I just keep trusting God and with each step, I ask for His guidance. He allows us to make our own choices, but He knows what’s going to happen. He doesn’t force us to do anything. He also uses those decision, good or bad, and draws us closer to Him. I always wonder those things too – if I had gone to a different college, my life would probably be totally different. I almost move to Thailand at one point – what would my life be like now?! I see so many reasons that God has me in my current place and am so grateful for it!
What a beautiful post and what important skill to have! Accepting the past is necessary to move forward.
And I agree, we’re right where we’re meant to be 🙂
Mila