Something borrowed

We’ve all heard the famous wedding tradition phrase; something old, something new, something borrowed, something blue. As a Norwegian I just assumed it was an American thing, probably based on the influence of romantic movies I watched growing up. According to the big world wide web though, I just recently found out that it is an English Victorian tradition, and the rhyme should end by saying …. and a sixpence in her shoe! That one was new to me!

Borrowing something for your wedding day is meant to bring you happiness as you borrow something from another (hopefully) happy couple. There are no real major consequence to your borrowed choice on this occasion.

I am not planning a wedding or even know anyone who are getting married soon (unless someone has a surprise they want to spring on me -I love a good wedding), however, I recently read something where I got stuck (in a good way) on the phrase ‘borrowed choice’. The more the phrase haunted me the more I have been thinking of the difference between the freedom to choose and a borrowed choice. How much of the choices we make are dictated by others, or maybe even based on some limiting beliefs we have developed about ourselves, including the fear of getting it wrong?

The Greek philosopher Plato said; ‘Take charge of your life. You can do with it what you will.’ The greatest power we have in life is the power to choose our own destiny, to choose our own way. Personal leadership starts by taking personal responsibility. The responsibility for who I want to be, what I want to do and achieve, and what I want to have, it lies with me and the choices I make. I can either let those choices be dictated to me and fall short of my potential, or I can start making choices that empowers me to be more of the person I want to be. By the way, getting advice from someone you love and trust is not the same as having life decided for you, that is you allowing insight and wisdom from others to help you make informed and valuable decisions.

As someone wise once said; ‘It is only when you take responsibility for your life, that you discover how powerful you truly are!’ And yet another wise one said ‘Mastering yourself is true power!’

Something for us all to ponder then: Do I use my freedom to choose, have I taken full responsibility of my own life, my attitudes and feelings, or am I living life dictated by borrowed choices?