Photo of the Week: Angel. In some cultures and communities, angels are beings who are messengers or protectors. They provide guidance for the difficult journey that is life.

Whether we believe in angels or not, is kind of beside the point. We humans look for guidance, from angels, friends, teachers, signs, etc. We do not always accept the guidance. So, ultimately, it comes to a person’s own intuition and discernment.

How do we decide what to do in life situations? How do we know when to follow someone’s advice? Or forge our own path?

Generally, we have desires, hopes for particular plans to work out. Sometimes, those plans slam into dead ends. We have to decide whether to pursue the plan or go a different direction. The language we use in our minds matters. We may say “If I quit, I am giving up. And I’m not a quitter.” Or maybe, “This isn’t for me. Good things don’t last for me.” Both statements indicate a value judgement of ourselves. A statement of our worth is being made. So, sometimes our decisions are made based on what we believe about ourselves, a deep rooted, core belief, more than what may be best in the situation.

So, how to decide what to do? There are many factors to consider. One way of making a decision is to pay attention to what really energizes you. Use your imagination to see as many options as possible. For example, maybe you are trying to decide if you should take a particular job and are hesitating. It seems at first like either you take it or you don’t. But there may be additional options. Think creatively about whatever causes the hesitation. Maybe you could take the job, but start in a month rather than now. Maybe you could see if you could work from your home sometimes. Maybe you could not take the job, but could consult or volunteer. Whatever is causing the hesitation, use your imagination about it. What options energize you? Maybe it would be a pay cut, and you have bills to pay, but you could adjust your budget and make it work. Or take on a side hustle. If the idea of the job really energizes you, you may not need to spend so much on entertainment because you just feel better. Feeling energized, feeling good, in an important area of your life will affect other areas of your life.

I do not mean that a person should neglect responsibilities because something seems fun. I am suggesting that there may be more creative ways to meet responsibility. I also am not meaning “fun” when I speak of being energized. “Energized” here means an internal motivation that is peaceful and provides a sort of lift to your being. Not an adrenaline burst because you are doing something that will hurt others.

I have found in my own life, and through talking with others, there are times when we almost cannot not try for something. At those times, again, be creative. Open your options to possibility. But here, it is important to also see reality as it actually is. If a person, for example, tells you “no,” that is not an invitation to pressure them, whether an individual or an organization. Accept reality as it is and see what other possibilities open up. You may be blocking other opportunities by being too single-minded.

So, in making decisions, pay attention to what is energizing and accept what is reality. These are hard things sometimes. Be patient and compassionate with yourself. Personally, I don’t believe opportunity only knocks once. I believe it knocks in different forms many times.

What do you think? What contributes to your decision making?