All Choked Up?

​When I was in high school, my sister Pam whose 9 years older came over to visit one day. When she arrived, the family had just finished dinner, and we were in the den watching a movie. Pam went into the kitchen, made herself a plate, and started watching TV from the back of the kitchen where she always ate standing up. 

A few minutes later, she started choking, unbeknownst to us sitting in the den just a few feet away. She began to panic because she couldn't scream or tell us what was going on. So she had a brilliant idea. She started knocking things over in the kitchen. She knocked over plates and silverware. 

Unfortunately, it wasn't enough. We continued to be glued to the TV set. 
Finally, she tipped over a barstool. It hit the floor with a large bang. My mother, without looking in my sister's direction, yelled:
"WILL YOU PLEASE STOP MAKING SO MUCH NOISE?!"

It shocked Pam so much that a gust of air from her lungs catapulted the lodged food up and out! And she blurted out, "I WAS CHOKING!"

My mother said casually, "Oh, you should have let us know."
In defense of my mother, the volume of the TV was probably loud and our backs were to Pam. Lol! 

I digress, sometimes we get so wrapped up in what we are doing that we ignore the signs for change and miss out on having something more meaningful for our lives.     

Are you ignoring the signs in your life? Is it time to turn down the "volume"? Maybe you've been getting those subtle (and not-so-subtle) signals that it's time for a change. Are you ready to stop ignoring them and make real improvements in your life? 

Begin with being more observant. Recognize areas of stress that are trying to get your attention. Consider what they may be telling you. Take a few minutes a day to brainstorm on paper the new direction that you are getting signals about. Just getting your thoughts out on paper begins the first step towards the achievement of new goals.

Don't leave your goals gasping for air! Give them life!