It’s probably safe to assume that most humans desire to set an intention in motion and arrive at the destination that they chose; but before this can happen, we must decide what we desire. And there’s the rub. The weight of decision can feel so heavy; the number of choices so great. Do I want this, or that? Should I go here, or there? Would this career be best, or another? And so we wait, deciding not to decide.

In many cases, fear is what prevents us from making a decision, although we might not recognize it as such. Fear, the trickster, attempts to convince us that the world hinges on one wrong decision. Fear, masquerading as logic, would have us believe that we shouldn’t take a step unless we can foretell every consequence. Fear, the thief of dreams, would have us focus on potential losses instead of the potential gains. Fear, masked as common sense, would inform us that we should wait another day, or another year. And so, we wait, deciding not to decide.

A mind that’s been conditioned to procrastinate making decisions is often haunted by a What If mindset. What if this or that happens? What if my family or friends or neighbours think I’m a fool? What if people laugh or talk behind my back? What if everything doesn’t go as planned? What if I invest all this time, energy, and money and don’t achieve my goal?

What’s the greatest risk of deciding not to decide? Time. Life doesn’t wait for anyone. Days have a habit of turning into weeks; weeks to months; and months to years. The heart of what matters is the journey–how we reach, how we grow, and how we evolve. The good news is that all experiences, not only those labelled right, hold value. The following quote from Amelia Earhart offers great inspiration:

“The most difficult thing is the decision to act, the rest is merely tenacity. The fears are paper tigers. You can do anything you decide to do. You can act to change and control your life; and the procedure, the process, is its own reward.”

With regard to the art of deciding, the following riddle offers a dose of wisdom: Five seagulls are sitting on a dock. One decides to fly off. How many are left? If you answered “four” you might think again, because the answer is “five.” Deciding to fly and “actually” flying are very different. Once we decide upon a desire, it’s imperative to take action. Even little steps are better than no steps at all. Until we act, we’re still sitting on the dock with the fifth seagull. Regarding any of your concerns and worries about making a wrong decision, please consider this: In the end, what really matters is that we flew–not where or how. Is that not truly our sweet glory?

Dare to dream (and care for one another).

With heartfelt regards,

Art

Copyright © – 2020 – R. Arthur Russell

P.S. Please share this article if you enjoyed it. If you’d like to view my latest book (This Taste of Flesh and Bones), press here. My YouTube videos can be found at Think2wice@I-Am-Aware. May the content of either or both help you along your spiritual journey. “Thank You” & “Note to Publishers” 🙏🏻🧡