Here Comes Treble: Choices
"One of the hardest lessons I’ve learned in life is that most of my troubles and triumphs are a direct result of the choices I’ve made,'' says Isabel Bradley in this thoughtful, self-revelatory column.
Isabel, a flautist and writer, embellishes her thoughts with a poem on the subject of choices.
To read more of Isabel's engaging words click on Here Comes Treble in the menu on this page.
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One of the hardest lessons I’ve learned in life is that most of my troubles and triumphs are a direct result of the choices I’ve made.
Although the opportunity was offered, I chose not to study at university, but to acquire secretarial skills. It was a good choice: I’ve always been able to earn enough, with sufficient time at the end of the day to pursue my passions: music and writing
Though a position in the best orchestra in the country was offered, I chose not to become a professional musician. Again, it was a good choice. I’ve spent time improving my technical skills and many hours enjoying and nurturing the passion of music-making; to most professional musicians the love of music is eroded by the daily grind of rehearsals and performances, as boring to them as changing the washer on a tap is to a plumber.
Early in life, I chose to marry a man three years younger than I; that choice led to the birth of my daughter: I cannot regret the marriage. Two years later, I chose to divorce him.
Then, I chose to marry an older man within a week of meeting him; that choice led to the birth of my son – once again, a marriage I cannot regret. There were good times and bad. I chose to stay through far too many of the bad times – my own choice turned me into a victim of verbal and emotional abuse.
After twenty years I chose to leave him, to stop being a victim. That was a good choice: with the love and support of Leon, I have regained my self-respect.
The following poem grew from scenes I witnessed, from news heard on the radio, out of my own deep joy and contentment and my knowledge that we all have a certain amount of control over how our lives are lived.
Choices
What choice in life
has brought her here
to glossy locker-room?
So thin, her skeleton
is almost outside...
exercising, day after day,
getting thinner and thinner,
the knots in her spine
standing out from her back...
What choice in life
has brought her here?
What choice in life
has left him here
in drunken daze,
standing in the blare
of rush-hour traffic?
His hair all matted,
clothes so filthy
torn...
What choice in life
has left him here?
What choice in life
has left them stranded here
in gory, ghost-ridden home?
He's lying, dead,
blood sludging slowly to the floor.
She's bound and beaten,
naked,
listening to brutes discuss her fate...
What choice in life
has left them stranded here?
What choice in life
has brought me to this haven?
Why me -
What choice in life
made me the lucky one?
Why them - why me?
Is all of life a choice?
Life often gives us several options from which to choose. It’s wise to consider the consequences of each before making our decision.
What choices have you made today?
Until next week – “here comes Treble!”
By Isabel Bradley
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