Ida and David both wanted all their sons to graduate from college. They knew their boys would have to pay their own way since David never made more than $150 a month.
Still, they encouraged their sons to achieve all they could. Arthur, however, went directly from high school to a job. Edgar began studying law. When Dwight graduated he didn’t have a goal in mind, so he and Ed made a pact: Dwight would work two years while Ed studied, sending Ed as much as he could, and then they would reverse the arrangement. While working Dwight found an opportunity that appealed to him more than college – West Point.
Both Ida and David were crushed by Dwight’s decision.
Ida was deeply convinced that soldiering was wicked. Still, all she ever said to him was, “It is your choice.”
David also remained silent, allowing his adult son full freedom to forge his own future.
Yes, Ida and David wisely held their tongues – but they never withheld their applause, especially on the day their son, General Dwight Eisenhower, became President of the United States of America.
Great story isn’t it? Entitled “Hold Your Tongue” From God’s Little Devotional Book tells us the importance of choice.
Jim Rohn says the same thing too. Listen to what this motivational speaker has to say about choices.
Any day we wish; we can discipline ourselves to make important changes in our lives. Any day we wish; we can open the book that will open our mind to new knowledge. Any day we wish; we can start a new activity. Any day we wish; we can start the process of life change. We can do it immediately, or next week, or next month, or next year.
We can also do nothing. We can pretend rather than perform. And if the idea of having to change ourselves makes us uncomfortable, we can remain as we are. We can choose rest over labor, entertainment over education, delusion over truth, and doubt over confidence. The choices are ours to make.But while we curse the effect, we continue to nourish the cause.As Shakespeare uniquely observed, “The fault is not in the stars, but in ourselves. “We created our circumstances by our past choices.We have both the ability and the responsibility to make better choices beginning today. Those who are in search of the good life do not need more answers or more time to think things over to reach better conclusions. They need the truth. They need the whole truth. And they need nothing but the truth.
We cannot allow our errors in judgment, repeated every day, to lead us down the wrong path. We must keep coming back to those basics that make the biggest difference in how our life works out. And then we must make the very choices that will bring life, happiness and joy into our daily lives.
Jim continues saying: “And if I may be so bold to offer my last piece of advice for someone seeking and needing to make changes in their life – If you don’t like how things are, change it! You’re not a tree. You have the ability to totally transform every area in your life – and it all begins with your very own power of choice.”
You know what? Jim is right. Not making a choice is likewise a choice in itself and this is why we should make sure we make the right choices.
What are the right choices?
It is to choose the things of God over the things of this world. One is eternal and the other one is temporal. It is to choose faithfulness over betrayal. One builds the family the other one destroys it. It is to choose to serve and help rather than to take and covet. One makes life meaningful the other one makes it boring and dragging. And then of course the most important choice to make is to choose Jesus out from Whom comes all the other right choices in life.
Sir Francis
I really love your blogs that shake my mind and touched my
heart for every thought you had delivered to us. It’s very relevant to me about your inspiring master piece of ideas. Your ideas triggered for what is the facts about every corner of my daily lives. I hope I can let myself alter for what’s the best thing to me by choosing as the beginning of change I need. Help me to draw the line toward the right path of positive change to my life. I have a simple request to help me how I can let my money use in a right way, because one my weaknesses being a single person I spent my money without relevant cause. I usually spent it to non-essential expenditures. That’s why until now for 3 years of being employed in one of the huge company here in Gensan, I still have no savings. I had tried to change that misleading concept of spending my money but I didn’t make it. I always tempted to buy some unimportant things and for being materialism sometimes. I often borrowed money from my parent because usually 5 days after my salary period my wallet was turned to empty. That’s why I always hitting the sermon of my mother. I am begging you Sir Francis to help me how I’m going to spend my money in a right way. Pleased feed me some tips to have savings. Thank You Very much!
your writings are very inspiring. what this blog says is right. i also came to a point when my conscience asked me to make a choice. and truly, making the right choices creates our future. i have chosen to follow God’s guidance and to thank Him back i share His blessings and teachings to my husband who also changed a lot after also making the right choices. someone like you who had the ability to write and share what God has given you, that is the power of inspiring through your articles and blogs, are really one our blessings. thank you very much and keep it up
keep on encouraging mr kong.
I am one of those faceless and nameless individuals whose life you’ve changed thru one of your talks. I once hit rock bottom and have practically given up both hope and faith when one of my friends dragged me to attend one of your talks. You have managed to ignite that flicker of hope that I initially thought was already extinguished. Yet, at first, it remained a tiny flicker. Then I came accross businessmatters.org, from where I left you several messages and surprisingly, you replied back in a way that a stranger opens it’s arms to a person in dire need. You made me believe that there is indeed some good in this world and that I could rise up on top of whatever difficult circumstances I had at that moment. You inspired me to believe in myself and realize that with faith and resilience I can reach much higher than I thought I could. I am now a part of the management team of a European company and I believe that I have indeed dared to reach higher goals. Thank you Mr. Kong. You do have the potential to make a difference in people’s lives. More power to you.
Sir,through your inspiring messages,you touch the lives of people and make them change to be a better person..You are really a blessing to everyone.. You are a blessing to me..How can i be a blessing to other people too? Thank you so much.
God bless you!
Greetings Sir Francis!
May the good Lord bless you all the more!
Thank you very much!!!
Sir Francis, you are God’s sent. Please never stop sharing your insights, it’s very inspiring. It’s makes me wake up and move forward.
Thanks a lot. God Bless!
Thank you very much, Mr. Francis. This is very timely to me and my team.
I really hope to hear you again… hopefully, another value summit!
God bless!
a blessed day to you Mr. F.K.
I have many questions and many doubts, yet reading your blogs.. leads me to finding the answers…
thank you so much… GOD BLESS…..!!
Chuck.
Hi Mr. Kong,
It’s been a long time, I’ve been wanting to get in touch with you, i know for sure you have forgotten me, this is Loida, one of Mr. Philip Uy employee. Even before you’ve shared great ideas to us, I am joyful and happy for you that you continously touch other lives by sharing wonderful ideas and points of view in life, career and most especially spiritually. May the Almighty Father thru our Lord Jesus Christ bless and guide you and your family.
Thank you very much! Inspiring thought! I always tell my friends, Dgroup and Friends at work That “What you are today is your choice”. Thank you Sir FK
thank you.