One Away

We're all just "one away" from something. One day, one choice, one decision, one contact, one drink, one hit, one breath away from something different in our lives.

Sometimes our "one-aways" are insignificant, or at least they seem so at the time. And other times, they are life-changing.

For an addict or an alcoholic, that one drink or one hit and the decision to take it or not is the difference between sobriety and falling off the wagon.

For the procrastinator (and yes, this hits very close to home for me personally), the choice to put off until tomorrow what could have - or should have - been done today usually makes for a really stressful tomorrow.

For those who are given an extraordinary chance to do something or go somewhere, that chance could be the difference between mediocrity or greatness. In my opinion, those given incredible chances should take them, but that is something completely up to the individual.

One never really knows how one person or one contact can change one's life. Personally, I believe the contacts we make - and keep - are one of the biggest influences of some of our greatest "one-aways." For the business or sales execs, one contact can change the direction of their lives, both positively, and negatively. Meeting the right person can bring someone their new partner in life, and in business. That one contact could be the reason behind success or failure. And one new contact in an emergent situation can be the difference between life or death.

And, while I believe contacts and chances are two of the biggest "one aways," what it really comes down to is our choices. Good choices, bad choices and even the seemingly indifferent ones. It's our choices that propel us into good or bad directions or situations. It's our choices that define, and often redefine us as individuals. I've made bad choices, I've made better choices, and I've made some pretty good choices ,too.

Because our "one-aways" belong to us individually, it alleviates the need to blame others for the circumstances in our lives. It requires us to take responsibility for the people, places, and things in our lives - and our decision to continue on our present path, or change our course and forge a new one.

The fact of the matter is my "one-aways" have helped shape the life I lead, the way I live, and the people I surround myself with. Your "one-aways" have done the same in your life. But here's the thing...if there's something not quite right, or you want there to be something different, you're just "one-away" from changing it.