In an episode of TV series Endeavour (eg, IMDb, video), there’s a phrase that goes like this: there comes a time when you need to make a choice. That phrase struck me as very valid, and in probably everyone’s life.
The Martin Luther King quote below adds an important element: conscience. I suppose that most of our choices are almost fully automatic, and hardly ever require time and/or an appeal to our conscience.
“There comes a time when one must take a position that is neither safe, nor politic, nor popular, but he must take it because conscience tells him it is right.”
A quote by Martin Luther King Jr. from A Testament of Hope: The Essential Writings and Speeches
Some ten years ago, I made a choice that took me a very long deliberation with my conscience: my divorce. Finally, a small note made it clear that my marriage could only deteriorate further. Having a conscience is fine but self-preservation is of a much higher order in life. No other event in my life was alike.
Then there’s this quote from the 2020 film Enola Holmes:
“There’ll come a time when you have to make a hard choice. And, in that moment, you will discover what mettle you truly have, and what you’re prepared to risk, for what matters.”
A quote by fictional character Eudoria Holmes, fictional mother of Enola Holmes
That second quote feels like an example from my business life. It resulted in my 2013 burn-out and my subsequent 18 month depression. Perhaps, I could have avoided that assignment because there were warning signs everywhere. I suppose my conscience decided against avoidance.
Finally, there’s this third quote that feels very valid:
“There comes a time in the spiritual journey when you start making choices from a very different place. And if a choice lines up so that it supports truth, health, happiness, wisdom and love, it’s the right choice.”
A quote by Basque-American cultural anthropologist Angeles Arrien (1940-2014)
I suppose that third quote describes my contemporary life.
Comes a Time (1978) by Neil Young
artist, lyrics, video, Wiki-artist, Wiki-album+song
Note: all markings (bold, italic, underlining) by LO unless in quotes or stated otherwise.
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