Decisions, decisions

 “Many of life’s failures are experienced by people who did not realize how close they were to success when they gave up. I have not failed. I’ve just found 10,000 ways that won’t work.”  ~ Thomas A. Edison

So often we all contend with the challenges of making decisions. Some are small while others are life changing and regardless of how those decisions influence our day-to-day routine it scares the hell out us. Change is a natural course in life. People’s reactions to change are irrational because most fear it since they do not want to fail or they do not understand why the change has occurred.  

You may have arrived at that those crossroads and perhaps you’re confronted with choosing to either keep going in the same direction, the easy route, or chose a different road and start a new chapter in life which could lead to failure.  Sometimes the kicker is that it’s not always your failure alone, to the same degree it could very well be your family’s burden to share as well. On the other hand, if it turns out that one is successful, your family will also reap the benefits. See the conundrum?

Weigh your options by making a pros and cons list. If the pros outweigh the cons consider the repercussions (good or bad) of your decision and write those down as well. Then take a step back and contemplate the past and the challenges that you have overcome. That alone will compel you to believe that to try and fail is better than not trying at all.

I’m personally not afraid of failure. I believe that to grow into a mature person and become wise, we must fail at times. If you are unsuccessful now and then, you will learn to pick yourself up and try again to conquer and persevere.   Now with that said, I’m terrified of the emotional impact my decisions might have on my children because if I fall on my hind end, I could very well bring them down with me. On the other hand, success would improve upon our lives dramatically.

What it all comes down to is if you are miserable where you’re at in life, it’s time to make some changes. Ask yourself, “What’s the worst that could happen?” If you fall down, pick yourself back up and go on.  To be burdened with what if’s is all the more appalling than not making a daring attempt at something that could very well be rewarding.