Thought for today:

Sometimes we need to choose a new vision for our future.  For many reasons ,we feel compelled to decide between a job change or staying put, going to school or working, retiring or continuing to work, to have a child or not.

Making choices can be stressful, but we can cut that stress.  A lot of that has to do with our attitudes.  We can embrace the process of choice.

A member shares:

“There was a time when I was afraid of making any choices at all.  What if I chose wrong?

“Perfectionism paralyzed me.  It kept me from making any choices that might have been beneficial to my mental, material or spiritual growth.

“Now I see that I need to embrace the process of choosing.  I realize that I can get closer to the person I want to become when I calmly contemplate opportunities.  And each day presents countless opportunities.

“I don’t have to fear making a bad choice as long as I have an idea of the person I want to be – one that is solvent, who has character, who is trustworthy.”

Choosing Ourselves:

Philosopher Ruth Chang teaches about how the process of making hard choices works to help us define our future selves.  See her talk here.

But what about the day-to-day choices?  Some choices don’t need making.

In “The Paradox of Choice: Why More Is Less“, Barry Schwartz offers eleven practical steps on how to limit choices to a manageable number, have the discipline to focus on the important ones and ignore the rest, and ultimately derive greater satisfaction from the choices you have to make.

Question your choices: Do you need to make the choice at all?  What’s the risk of not making it?  Risks can include lost opportunities, as well as potential negative consequences.

How many choices are tough?  If you feel overwhelmed, can you break down the choice into a series of smaller choices?

Some choices must have thoughtful reflection.  This reflection can become the groundwork for the person we wish to become.

Ask:

Am I ok considering a golden opportunity before dismissing it?  Do I allow intuition and self-awareness into the equation?   Do I seek guidance from my Higher Power and my sponsor?

Meditation for today:

When you make a tough choice, it forces you to think about and acknowledge who you want to become.  The process can help you claim a new future.

Of course there are usually risks involved in a significant choice, but the potential reward is usually worth it.   You need not avoid the choice if it is important.

If others will be affected, include them in the choice.

We can trust our intuition and choose to ‘go for it’, or not, depending on where we want to go to as a person.

 Affirmation for today:

“As I weigh options, I will consider my future self, and make a decision based on my self-interest.

“I won’t let fear trap me in a decision I’m not happy with.

“I will make the best choice for me.”

Follow Through:

Some choices don’t need to be made. In “The Paradox of Choice: Why More Is Less“, Barry Schwartz offers eleven practical steps on how to limit choices to a manageable number, have the discipline to focus on the important ones and ignore the rest, and ultimately derive greater satisfaction from the choices you have to make.

Click here for a great talk on the gift of hard choices by philosopher Ruth Chang, June 2014.

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