What if?

Did you ever read the "Choose Your Own Adventure" books as a kid? I did - and I LOVED THEM. The possibilities were endless. The concept amazing.

If you aren't familiar with them, here is how they worked: You start by reading a story then the character will have to make a decision, usually multiple choice, and then you pick what you want your character to do - you fast forward to that page, and so it goes - basically the plot thickens and it is all YOU! Sometimes my character would end up, well, dead. Eww - bad decisions. But sometimes it would go on and on with a very victorious ending. Such a ride!

I often feel life is like a choose your own adventure book. Everyday we make decisions, maybe not so life changing, but many times - when we look back - the little things may very well be the BIG life changing moments.

I think about that Saturday in November of 06 - I was terribly bored, completely lost in my world, and just in need of a friend. I had moved to a new state, new city, new job, but oh sooo alone. I discovered social media for the first time. I joined Myspace. I discovered how to meet and make friends. I also discovered you could meet people from all over the world. I randomly scrolled through countries - and found Egypt.... choose your own adventure.

I think about walking into that ridiculous bar in downtown Macon with my friend Telisa. Standing there, chatting it up, and a tall man walks in with a press pass and a camera. After conversation, the gentleman asks for our email addresses - Telisa gives a fake one, I choose to give my real address.. choose your own adventure.

I decided to throw a birthday party for myself (sad, I know) - I want to say it was my 32nd or 33rd- and I let my (then husband) invite a friend from work, and I happened to invite my sister.. choose your own adventure..

Those three examples changed the course of life. I have many many more.

The first one brought not only the absolute love of my life - but has since linked another couple together who are planning to get married, and yes - plan to have children. A human being will enter this world because I got bored one Saturday afternoon.

The second one brought my first husband. Though that situation did not work out, while planning for our wedding I reconnected with an old friend. She connected with the best man - they got married and had a beautiful baby girl. Again - an email address brought life into the world. Though my marriage did not work out, forever love did.

The third last minute decision to have some friends over brought a friend of my then-husband to my house and my sister. They started talking, the rest of us went out, they stayed behind to talk. They fell in love, later got married and the apple of my eye was born. No, their relationship did not last - but they had a  beautiful little girl - my niece was born, all by a chance meeting - because I wanted to celebrate MY birth & life.

Life is a trip. The connections.. the changes. Had I not took a chance on a social media site, had I not given my real email, had I not celebrated my birthday - potential, individual lives may or may not have entered this world.

If we believe in destiny - would I still meet my egyptian? Would my niece, with her distinct genetic makeup have been born? Would old friends connect and pro-create. Would new friends fall in love and plan a life together?

Mysterious..

How will you choose your next adventure?