Happens Every Day…

…is the title of this great memoir I just got done reading by Isabel Gilles. The following quote from that very book really resonated with me:

“I believe in Love. I believe in hard times and love winning. I believe marriage is hard. I believe people make mistakes. I believe people can want two things at once. I believe people are selfish and generous at the same time. I believe very few people want to hurt others.  I believe that you can be surprised by life. I believe in happy endings.  . .”

So, which sentence hit me? This one: I believe people can want two things at once.

This is so freaking true almost every minute of the day whether or not you actually want to see it, believe it, or admit it. It can range from something as simple as wanting to eat food that is fried and healthy for lunch or something as typical as wanting to be debt free and yet own the biggest house and the coolest car.

Most often in our lives we make choices that we can live with. Rarely do we make choices that suck or that do not bring “feel good” feelings. We are egotistical after all! We thrive on those darn ego boosts. The choices we do make are those that let us have, if possible, a little bit  of both. And truthfully speaking when we make our choices based on that need to have both . . .  it’s often not the best choice. But in the same  breath, it can be the best compromise.

For example, using the veggie and fried thing for lunch. If you’re lucky maybe the restaurant you’re at will have fried green beans. Which are absolutely delicious. Don’t hate until you try them. You will fall in love too.

Wanting two things at once is a double edged sword. Our minds are capable of justifying and rationalizing every single action, decision, and choice so that we can have both if possible.  But the first step people is just admitting it….realizing that yes…I want TWO freaking things at once. Realistically speaking…I can’t have TWO things at once. So which ONE thing is the best for me? Or for my family? My future? What is my intention? And most importantly WHY do I want these TWO things?

I’ve often said that you can’t have one foot in the door and another out. In my mind that is wanting two things at once…you either have to shut the door and walk in. Or shut the door and walk out. This in my opinion will create the most stress free and drama free results. But ( you knew that was coming right?) humans thrive on stress and drama. So…where does that leave us? A pointless post that has brought us back to square one. The fact that: people can want two things at once. Period.