Have you ever taken a decision that no one supported, no one understood? Would you ever dare to? Do you even know what your own process is to make big decisions? We don't all make decisions in the same way. Understanding our patterns, our tendencies can help us see ourselves with more clarity and pragmatism in that regard. It can also prevent some pitfalls.
Do you care about how people will judge your words and your actions? Because they will. Do you listen to people who want to advise you and steer you in a certain direction or do you go your own way? Unfortunately, hell is paved with good intentions. And that isn't just a saying.
How good is your ability to perceive truth from lies? What do you think of people who dare do things you don't? How do you behave towards them? I guess I could leave you with just these few questions and, should you respond to them conscientiously, they'll keep you occupied for a while.
Decisions are like a fork in the road, because for each one you say yes to, there are all the other ones you're saying no to and that's not a small thing when it comes to important choices. A chain reaction can be triggered and sometimes there can be no turning back. We can anticipate but we cannot foresee all the consequences.
I am not necessarily referring to these decisions that life brings to us and towards which we have a limited range of freedom. I am talking about the ones that are entirely up to us. The ones that were not specifically pushed on us but only we did. The ones our soul is banging on the door about, and our head goes "What? No way!" and people around us go "You're crazy, you're selfish, you're irresponsible".
The kind of decisions that are driven by your desire for fulfilment and accomplishment, not success or standards. Decisions informed by your true values not someone else's. Of course, there will always be the unknown; the risk element that can only be managed to a certain extent but at the edge of which, your trust and faith have to carry you forward, otherwise you won't move.
I have so often heard the phrase "it's urgent to do nothing". Nowadays I see it as one of the worst pieces of advice. Yes patience is a virtue but stagnation isn't. Stagnation means death. Life is in the movement, the breath, the fire, the elevation. It doesn't mean it needs to be grandiose, far from it, but it needs to be.
Are you one of those people who secretly worry that life will pass you by? If so, I've met a lot of you. You're terrified of the change and big transitions that you quietly crave for. The wheel of fortune turns and you forever seem to miss the train simply because you don't give yourself permission to step on it and direct yourselves towards your true desires and aspirations. Even the simple ones. Yes it's true, it could go wrong, it could be disappointing, it could be lonely. But avoiding it is a free pass towards despair. And by the way, what if it goes well, what if it exceeds your expectations, what if hidden gifts await you on the other side of your courageous step.
Maybe a touch of madness won't hurt you, anyone or anything. Maybe some intensity of the good type will revive what's been dormant and is waiting for you to give it the green light. Maybe forget all of this and go read something that will comfort you with some overchewed and undigested sentences like "you're exactly where you're meant to be", and roll out the red carpet to complacency.
This is an invitation to question yourself, challenge yourself, and face up to yourself. You don't have to tell the world what you want to do, what you're doing, or what you've done. You only owe an explanation to yourself. Including if you decide to do nothing. Just remember that.
Image by Michael Cheval
About the Author: Mahé Léa
