It can be simple....

Life that is. We are the ones that make it so complicated. I use to think that life was complicated. But the options are simple, when you look at them.

You can start right at the beginning of my life, and look at all the things that happened to my family. Once, it was complete with the Mother, the Father, the brother, the house, the pool, the playrooms, the hot tubs, the parties, a fincancial sense of security. My parents were very sucessful in the 80's. But they were not so successful with their marriage. Infidelity broke my family up. Like so many others - my brother and I left our big house, and moved into a more moderate house with our Mother, who then raised us single handedly while our father moved on to what he thought would be greener pastures. While forgetting his responsibilities to support his kids both financially and emotionally. Our Mother didn't skip a beat when she realized she needed to sell the Waterbed business, and start up another company on her own. We all know that she was the brains behind the business in the first place, and my father was the front man. She did what she needed to do.

Her life had changed 360 degrees, and she was starting on to a new path where she was left with 2 small kids to look after. She remembered her Mother - a single mother to 3 kids, in the 1960's when it was unheard of to leave your cheating & abusive husband. Nana worked hard and long hours doing whatever jobs she could to support her 3 girls. She was too proud to get food stamps, or hand outs of any kind. The 2 older girls had to cook the meals, clean the house and help in whatever way they could. Nana couldn't do everything, and they knew they had no choice. It was simple.

Both of these incredible women did what they needed to make money to feed us, clothe us, and water us. Despite all of the unbelieveable challenges that they were faced with...they always made it look simple. The reality of it all is that I know it wasn't easy for them. Understanding more about their struggles during the later years in my life has made this clear.

While their situations were similar, they both faced very different challenges to overcome. Their options were limited; accept the situation that you have...do the best with what you've got. Or, don't accept anything, and live an unhappy and miserable life, feeling defeated.

Life can be complicated, if you allow it. But you decide yor fate. You decide your happiness. You decide how to succeed tomorrow, and forgive for yesterday.

The choice is simple.