Some weeks back, I was discussing with a friend on why she did something, and the only thing she said was "because I can." There was no reason at all to justify why she did it, but just because she felt she can do it. In life, it is not every step that you need to take. As a matter of fact, that you can do something, or that you have the ability to take a step is not the only reason why you should do it, you have to learn to discern if the step is actually worth it. Trust me, not all doors are actually opportunities that need to be taken, some are just traps that want to ensnare you. More so, you should not act on impulse but on the fact that your actions have been thought and found to be potentially worthwhile.
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That you have the opportunity to do something is not equal to having the reason to do it. In this era we live in, a lot of doors open so easily - doors of opportunities, platforms, connections, shortcuts, etc. But it does not mean that you should walk through every door that is opened to you. More so, you have to know that wisdom is required to know what to do at each time, and not act out of impulse. Just because you can take a step does not mean that it is the right step for your future, and even for you.
You will be surprised how lots of people make decisions in life based on availability rather than on purpose. That is, they go with what they want and probably what they feel is available, not what is particularly good for them. As long as the pathway becomes available for them, they will just assume it is right for them. As soon as a door opens to them, they will quickly rush in without even asking what is at the other side of the door. What they fail to understand is that availability does not always mean alignment with purpose. Not every open door leads forward, some can go in reverse, sideways, or even to a dead-end. This is why intentionality is preferred over availability.
It is worthy to note that your ability is actually neutral in the real sense of it, it is your action that carries the weight. For example, you may have the ability to fight out of anger, and to use words in a very brutal way. But your choice to stay calm even in the midst of anger will make a lot of positive difference. This is just to show you that your ability often carries little or no moral weight, everything is dependent on your choices, decisions, and actions. You may have the ability to cut corners and take the shortcut, but when you consider your character and the negative effects of the shortcut, you will choose to go through the right process.
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You also need to learn discipline. This is the act of choosing what matters, instead of what is possible. You have to understand that restraint is not an act of weakness, rather it is an act of controlled strength. The people who have achieved success is their various fields of endeavour are not the people who take every chance, but the people who know the chances to take and the ones to ignore. It is not in everything that you will say "yes." Sometimes, the "no" you say can save you from a lifetime of regrets. Every "yes" has a consequence, and so also does every "no." So consider the potential effects and consequences of the actions you want to take first, to know if they are worth it.
Success is not necessarily about how many options you have, but it is more about how wisely you choose among your options. There are times that the bravest decision you would ever make is to walk away from what others would have jump unto. An offer may excite you, but if it does not align with your purpose, then you do not need to take it. Remember that not everything that shines is actually made of gold.
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