Sometimes when we’re in the midst of life, we forget how our actions affect us and everyone around us. There are consequences to every decision we make, or don’t make.
I like to visualize the decision-making process, especially when I have a big choice to make. I think about all the branches and tributaries that could possibly form. I think that if I do one thing, there are all these possible effects … and if I do THIS, there are these. I try to follow the large branches down to the tiny twigs, but I cannot prepare for every possibility or every variable. And very often, something unexpected occurs.
Unexpected doesn’t mean ‘bad’. Just unexpected. Despite massive amounts of forethought, there are things that are not in our control, and in that case, we must succumb to that eventuality with grace. We must meet the consequences with an open mind and hopefully learn something in the process.
Making the decision is the key, You’ve got to choose one or the other. Indecision is one thing that will stunt all forward motion and halt every attempt at growth. I tend to believe that every choice is the correct one – that’s why I made it. If I had made another, that would’ve been correct, too. But I didn’t – so it doesn’t matter.
There are those choices we make that we look back at and think, ‘That probably wasn’t such a good idea.’ And we can pay a hefty price for those. But there’s value in choices that lead us down a difficult path. There’s experience and knowledge and all that good stuff. The trick is to take it all in stride. Again, I don’t believe in bad decisions – but there are harsh consequences. And if we run away from taking care of those, we begin to live in a vicious cycle, until the debt is paid or the truth is told or the circle is complete … whatever.
Funny too – there are things we do that we know are wrong, but we do them anyway. And maybe we’ve gotten away with it from time to time, who’s gonna know? Right? But then you do get caught, and there’s hell to pay. Then what? Run and hide? Own up? Yay, More choices.
I’m glad for the choice I’ve made recently, I feel comfortable with them. The consequences are still yet to form, but when they do, I’m here, waiting. I’m at peace, knowing that I do the right thing, even when nobody’s looking.
Lord knows, I hate a guilty conscience and I’m a horrible liar. Guess that makes me lucky.
