A Tale of Two Cities.

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To every yin there is a yang.  I grew up with curly hair and always wanted straight.  There are those who love living uptown, and others who thrive in the quiet countryside.  Yes, to everything there is an opposite, and each of us will come to a place when we will have to make the decision as to what side of the coin we are going to fall on.

I could easily go in two different directions with today's blog.  If I desired I could write ten thousand words on our country's political environment, but I feel I would only muddy up the waters even more, so I shall leave that one alone for the time being.  The other direction I could take today is talking about a conflict that many, many people have to contend with each and every day of their lives.  This conflict is centered on what one is doing verses what one would love to be doing.  Sadly the two are generally heading in opposite directions, and herein lies the problem.  We have two cities trying to occupy the same space, and that just isn't going to work, at least not the way one would like it to work.

By definition conflict basically means two opposing views, or actions, or even ideas.  You have conflict when two things don't line up, or two people don't see things the same way, or even when you are torn between what to do, i.e. what is expected vs. what you desire.  Here's a simple conflict:  it's a bright sunny warm day and the beach is simply calling your name.  Friends are all packed up and ready to go and yet you are looking at your work schedule and the beach is not listed as the main event.  You're conflicted because you probably know what you want to do, and that is probably the opposite of what you know you should do.  Now this may be a conflict on a smaller scale but it is conflict none-the-less.  Let me give you an example of a major conflict, and see if this does not cut to the core of the matter for many people.  You find yourself in a job or profession that is anything but what you truly desire to be doing.  I think if you took a poll today and asked the question, do you like what you're doing for work, the vast majority of people would tell you NO!!  People are in professions simply because they have bills to pay and obligations that need to be handled.  I deal with people daily and without exception I can tell you when someone is out of place and not doing what they truly love.

A Tale of Two Cities is a tale that is being played out in so many lives today and if we are ever going to make things right then each individual who is playing out this game is going to have to decide what is most important to them.  I know how difficult it can be to completely change direction when it comes to life's decisions.  I know the fear that can grip someone.  I also know the freedom that can and will come to someone when they finally decide to do what is best for them.

Imagine a day if you will when you simply get to do the things you love to do.  The pressure of life seems to fall away and the only thing that remains is peace, tranquility, and joy.  Imagine if you will a day when everything falls into place, I promise you the cares of this world will simply fall away.  When was the last time you had a day like this?  When was the last time you simply laid your head on your pillow at night and smiled because this was the perfect day?  Alas so few people are experiencing this, and sadly many do not know how to get out of this cycle.

Let me let you in on a little secret.  Those who find themselves in conflict, those who are asking themselves is this as good as it gets, they are the ones who are about to make a change, and this change is what will bring them into enlightenment.  Being conflicted as to what you want verses what others want for you is your opportunity to do what is right, but it has to be what is right for you.  We have been taught that we need to put others needs in front of our own.  This may be correct to a degree, but if you are constantly ministering to the needs of others, who is going to minister to your needs?  If you are not in the right place, then you will not be able to do for others what others need you to do.

There comes a time in everyone's life when they have to decide to fight for what is right.  There comes a time in everyone's life when they have to be honest and say this isn't what I want.  There comes a time in everyone's life when who you really are will take center stage and all the rest will fall to the side.  Being true to who you are is what will stop conflict.  Being true to yourself is what will stop division.  Being true to yourself is what you need and what the world needs.  There cannot be two of you.  For far too long people have tried to please everyone else at the expense of themselves.  There is only one you, and the one you needs to do what you were placed here to do.  Trust me, conflicts will stop when you finally decide to be just you.