At a Crossroads

I walked out with my wife, ready to go home and see my boys and family. I had just finished a month of treatment at the New Farm Psychiatric Ward. Electro Convulsive Therapy (shock treatment) for Clinical Depression.

I was at yet another Crossroads in my life. I had 2 clear choices, wellness or illness. In the past, I had thought I always chose wellness, but each time I ended up in the same place. Illness. Not this day. Not anymore. I finally made a decision.

Everyday someone, just like I did, reaches a crossroads. But for most it's more like a roundabout or detour. People either end up back where they started in a fairly short space of time. Or they take a detour of distraction hoping to hide from the problems they face. Only to find they're bigger next time around.

3 years ago this October, I was at that crossroads. 4 Years ago, I made a decision that changed my life. I chose to be the best I could be. How?

Well, there are 2 steps to making a decision. 1) Asking yourself why? Why do I have to do this? And 2) Take action straight away. That instant.

In the past I was failing to act or persist because I had never focused on Why, I had never physically identified my hierarchy or values.

For example, I was a father, husband, son, brother etc and needed to be well to be the best I could be for the most important people in my life. Family is my highest value. So whenever I felt like giving up or felt I wasn't capable, I could ask myself 'Is the health and happiness of my family worth this effort? Or is being sick more important to me?' It's pretty easy for me to answer that question.

'The happiness of my loved ones'

Then I took action, I wrote it down. I made a promise, not to just live, but to the very best I could be. That decision, still gets me through tough moments today.

He who has a why, can bear almost any how. - Friedrich Nietzsche

So Why is it so important for you to make this decision?