Just Make a Decision

"It didn't matter whether the decision you made was right or wrong, as long as you made it. That's what moved you along in life." - The Magic Bookshop

Inspiration to write comes from so may sources for me, but I have to admit I rarely end up writing articles based on a quote from a fiction book. I love reading The Magic Bookshop and wrote a review on it recently. The story covered so many topics from feminism to magic to healing from trauma to love to hope. However, there was only one simple idea that made my fingers start to twitch, and that was the quote above.

Give it a read and let it sink in.  How simple and yet how challenging. I don't know about you, but I have always been encouraged to make the RIGHT decisions, and embarrassed when I have made ones less than ideal.  I have been shamed after as others told me why I had been wrong and where I obviously missed the mark.  The message clearly embedded in their response was I wasn't diligent enough, didn't take enough time, didn't research well enough.  If you had just...............? Why didn't you................? You get the idea. And I bet it has happened to you too.

There has been a shift over the last several years to change the narrative on failure. The focus has been to look on it as an integral part of the learning process and one's journey success.  Each time you get it wrong, you learn what doesn't work, or you discover the bugs hidden within need removing.  Step by step set-backs led us towards our goals. It is like a baby learning to walk. It is rare that an infant just stands up, walks and is brilliant at it ever after.  There are topples and trips and scrapes and frustration along the way.  Each time infants try again, they are a little bit better at it. 

The idea that making a decision whether right or wrong is the most important action, no matter the outcome, offers a chance for all of us to let go of fear. I have been working for the last few months to shift my thoughts on failure. It takes time.  Along the way I have learned it is important to sometimes hold my thoughts and experiences in this area close to my chest.  Why? Because sharing, even when done with humor so we can all laugh at it, often brings out the correction response in others, and that is counter productive. 

Moving forward, I am going to be very thoughtful in how and what I share, even with family. If others can look at the humor in my attempts - great. If there is any chance it will lead to condemnation or lectures on what I should have considered, I'll just keep my mouth shut. I don't need the negativity. I just need to embrace the current lesson and build from it towards my goals. 

Never forget that your journey will always be unique. It might have similarities to another's.  You might be able to glean wonderful knowledge from their experiences.  But in the end you must trust your instincts moving forward and accepts the lessons as they come.  Your talents are unique, so the future that calls you will be unique as well.  Listen, but only apply what feels right to you.