We’ve all heard the phrase “Fool me once, fool me twice.” But have you ever stopped to wonder why you say it, or if it even reflects what you truly believe?
The phrase \”fool me once, shame on you; fool me twice, shame on me\” means that if someone deceives or tricks you, it\’s their fault for being deceitful the first time. However, if you fall for the same trick again, it\’s your fault for not learning from the first experience and being more cautious, according to proverbs and sayings websites. It\’s a lesson in trust and discernment, urging individuals to be aware of potential deception and take responsibility for their own choices.
Many of us carry phrases, beliefs, and habits that have been handed to us over the years. Some came from our families, some from society, and others simply from repeating what we’ve heard. They become part of our thinking without us even questioning if they fit the person we are today.
The thing is… sometimes they don’t.
The Power of Questioning Your Beliefs
There comes a season in life when we’re invited — sometimes nudged, sometimes shoved — to stop and ask, “Is this belief mine, or was it given to me?” That question alone can shift everything. It invites us to strip away the layers of who we’ve been told we are so we can discover who we truly are at our core.
This process often asks us to step back from the noise. Time alone, even in small pockets, becomes the space where clarity grows. In those moments, you begin to notice which decisions feel heavy and which feel light. You realize that “light” doesn’t always mean “easy,” and “heavy” doesn’t always mean “wrong forever” — sometimes it just means “not right now.”
Listening for the Gentle Pull
We’ve all faced crossroads where one path felt familiar and comfortable while the other felt uncertain but somehow… alive. The safe path whispers, “Stay where you are — it’s easier.” The other path, though, pulls at your spirit, urging you forward into something new.
That pull is worth listening to.
It’s your higher guidance, God, Spirit, the Light, leading you toward the life you’re meant to live. Following it doesn’t mean you don’t love the people in your life or appreciate the seasons you’ve shared with them. It simply means you’re saying “yes” to the next chapter that’s calling you.
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A Gentle Practice for Making Aligned Choices
Here’s one way to start:
- Get quiet. Step away from distractions and find a peaceful space, even if it’s just your car, a park bench, or your favorite chair.
- Feel into the choice. Imagine yourself making it. Does your body feel light and open, or tense and closed?
- Pause before acting. If it feels light, explore it further. If it feels heavy, it might not be the right time — and that’s okay.
This simple practice can help you make decisions that are guided by clarity rather than fear or habit.
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Seasons Change, and So Do We
Think about a food you enjoy now that you disliked years ago. Your tastes changed. You changed. The same is true for the seasons of your life. What was once perfect for you might no longer fit, and that’s not failure; it’s growth.
Sometimes you’ll circle back to an old chapter with a new perspective, and sometimes you’ll close the book entirely. Either way, trusting the guidance you receive, even when it leads you somewhere unfamiliar, is an act of love for yourself and for the greater whole.
Because when you say yes to the life that feels true to your spirit, you give others permission to do the same.