Decisions, Decisions

By Leah Leynor, Reach Therapist Intern 

“In any moment of decision, the best thing you can do is the right thing, the next best thing is the wrong thing, and the worst you can do is nothing.” – Theodore Roosevelt

Decisions are often difficult, aren’t they? We are faced with decisions almost every moment of every day in our lives. The decisions we are faced with range from the mundane of whether or not to have a cup of coffee in the morning (for some people this might be a necessity), to what meals we will eat that day, and various decisions or choices that span almost anything. Are these decisions easy? It depends. Since we are all individuals with different life circumstances, some decisions and choices could be more difficult than others. Depending upon the importance or nature of the decision, the decision has the potential to be paralyzing. There are three choices that may be considered when faced with an anxiety-provoking life decision:

1. Do the right thing – Easier said than done; however, we can try to make the best decisions possible for ourselves and those around us if we take a moment to think about how we feel the potential decisions might turn out. Is there a fail-proof way to “choose” the right thing? No. Hopefully, with careful consideration, the decision made and action taken will result in the best possible scenario.

2. Do the wrong thing – Sometimes we might make the wrong decision. Does it feel good? No. Is it possible to move past the decision if it did not work out? Yes. Having said that, the beauty of life is that we not only have the ability to make the right decisions, but also the wrong ones! What is this called? Opportunity. Even though we might have made a decision and weren’t happy with the results, so long as we recognize that we have the opportunity and the freedom to make choices for ourselves, that can make all the difference.

3. Do nothing – Often, making a decision is so anxiety-provoking that one may choose to do nothing at all. Is this the right decision? Maybe. Is this the wrong decision? Maybe. It depends upon the situation and the people involved, however, if one does not overcome anxiety and fear, s/he may be stuck with decisions that others made and results s/he does not want.

If you are faced with life decisions and would like to explore your options to make the best choices for you, contact us at Pfeiffer Institute Reach. We are here to help!