I’m not good at making decisions! For those who know me, it is no big surprise. Ask me where I want to go for dinner? I will leave it up to you, because “I can always find something which sounds good”. Ask me what I want to do? I will usually defer to the person asking unless there is something really pressing on my heart. So, why is it so hard? I’m a proverbial people pleaser – one of my character defects. I don’t want anyone to be made at me or upset or get their feelings hurt. The end result over the years has caused me to stuff feelings and was definitely part of my relapse story.
What about you? Are you good at making decisions? I don’t mean just the little every day things but the BIG ones. The life changing ones – maybe it is time to retire, or change your career or quit your job or end a relationship or admit and accept you have a problem (or a chronic disease).
Do you make your decisions base on everyone else’s expectations? Some decisions are tough – really tough! Some conversations are uncomfortable. Some choices are not popular. A true sign of spiritual and emotional growth comes when you can stop making decisions based on everyone else’s expectations. The greatest feeling is when you can lay your head down at night and be at pease with your Higher Power. If you compromise the peace you have with him, then you have compromised EVERYTHING!
For many years, I was spiritual, avoiding church but having a great relationship with my Higher Poser then I got involved with the church again. No hate mail please! I’m not against organized religion but I will admit it is then I started to make decisions based on others expectations (again). Over the last 9 months, I have started to have a stronger relationship with my Higher Power again.
I’m learning to be bold and courageous in my decisions. Pray. Listen (this is tough for me). Don’t overanalyze! (okay so I struggle with this too). There are days I pray for an answer and when the answer comes via a person or event or opportunity, I don’t always recognize it. I want the SMACK on the head or the booming voice to say “here is the answer”. LOL.
Use your common sense, which is a blessing from God to help you make the right decision. Have you ever heard the saying: “Don’t be like the frog in a pot of cool water who didn’t notice the heat had been turned up and the water was starting to boil. All he had to do was jump out of the pot!”. Yup. I’ve been there a few times.
All of this is to say, if you have a decision to make…. make it based on YOUR common sense, your wishes and NOT what others will think. This is where I am at right now! Decisions about my business and this blog. My fear of letting others down has me struggling with accepting decisions I know in my heart are okay. Fear of what the future will bring has me hesitating. Fear of stepping into a new path where God seems to be leading me.
Do you have a decisions to make? Don’t worry about what others think. Do what you know is right. No one else has to live your life—or your consequences.
Have a ThirtyOne-derful day!
Hope Wissel 