"To be, or not to be: that is the question:
Whether ’tis nobler in the mind to suffer
The slings and arrows of outrageous fortune,
Or to take arms against a sea of troubles,
And by opposing end them?...."-Hamlet, By William Shakespeare


Ahhhh...the famous soliloquy from Hamlet.  In Translation, it's saying, "The questions for him was whether to continue to exist or not-whether it was more noble to suffer the slings and arrows of unbearable situation, or to declare war on the sea of troubles that afflict on, and by opposing them, end them" (http://www.nosweatshakespeare.com/quotes/hamlet-to-be-or-not-to-be/).

How many times have you thought of a conflict or situation that felt so extreme and you began to think, "I don't have the energy for this" or "I don't know how to get through this" or "I don't know if this is worth it".  We all tend to have these thoughts or similar, and it's okay.  Conflict is necessary sometimes to help us grow stronger and to become wiser.  However, too much conflict can cause stress, and we all know that stress kills.

When conflict arises, it inevitably makes you question if you want to exist (not just in life, but in the conflict).  However, leaning on the everlasting arms and seeking the Word to define your purpose let's you know whether to be or not to be.  Many of life's situations are none other than a repeated story.  The only thing that changed was the names of characters, the year it happened, and maybe the time of event.  However, in the bible there is scripture for everything.  As I face life's conflicts at times, sometimes, going to a friend, family, or co-worker, etc. does not always provide me the solution that soothes my spirit.  But when I get in the Word......I find peace.  I feel a busy mind settle.  I feel a racing heart slow down.  And my endless questions end.  And when I feel confused or have trouble understanding the Word, I seek a spiritual leader (pastor mostly) to assist in finding clarity in addition to asking God for clarification.

So if you have conflict in life, and question whether to be or not to be that wife, friend, girlfriend, etc...."Seek first His Kingdom and his righteousness, and all these things will be given to you as well.  Therefore, do not worry about tomorrow, for tomorrow will worry about itself.  Each day has enough trouble of its own" (Matthew 6:33).
 
I'm almost 30, and I take this time to reflect on my life.  What kind of life did I live, and what kind of life do I want to live?  Not having any children, yet, I think about what kind of lifestyle would I want my children to witness.  While I lived my life in college, I had great moments.  I REALLY LIVED!!!  Having more smiles than frowns, I nearly did not want to graduate just because I didn't want to leave the life.  But now as I get older, I learned that some things just have to change.

As we get older, some peers, friends, associates begin to fall to the waistline.  Some of us go through things that mold us into a different person.  We begin to experience lifestyles that make us wiser.  We have children and teach them to do better.  We gain loved ones who are here for the long run, or may wind up being in our life for just for a season.  Through it all, how much have we changed?  We live either a happy life or a miserable one.  Which one are you living?  If your life just seems like it's just not bringing great joy....consider a change.  Re-evaluate yourself and the choices you make and the things you accept in your life.  Don't change to accommodate others.  Change so that you life a joyful life.  The choices that greatly affect us is our environment.  Our environment impacts our lifestyle more than we know.  To make this change we have to evaluate our priorities, and put things in order.  And if they are in the right order, we can experience peaceful living.

GO LADIES GO