I don’t recall which internet buddy sent these but they’re worth passing along and pondering on.
“If you want to make a wrong decision, ask everyone.”
“People only see the decisions you made, not the choices you had.”
“Never take criticism from someone you wouldn’t take advice from.”
“We find our own path by walking it.” Maya Angelou said this last one, and probably would have agreed with the others.
“Everyone” doesn’t have your answers. The more people whose opinion you ask, the more confused you’ll be. We all know at least a couple of folks who possess wisdom; whose lives seem to be working. Even if you don’t know those people well, ask. They may not have much experience with the dilemma you’re facing but some principles are universal, and they’ll be pleased that you trusted them enough to share your concerns.
Often, we think we have only two choices, a wrong one and a right one. But we aren’t able to decide which one is right. Actually, there are usually several choices. Be willing to consider the ones that seem totally off the wall. Sometimes a couple of possibilities present, and it may be that either is ok. You’ll know when you start down a path if it’s the right one, and, it’s not unusual to discover that they both end up in the same place.
Get used to the idea that, no matter what you decide, someone is likely to tell you that you made a mistake. There’s a cliché that covers this. Consider the source.
Walking our path is an adventure that develops as we go along. Our journey may seem very much like the one our mentors are on, but it’s important not to just put our feet in the same spots they do. We are different people because of what we have experienced, and how we interpret those situations. Looking ahead is good. So is noticing where you are at any given moment. There’s a magnet on my fridge that says, “Next week has been exhausting.” It reminds me that trying to outguess the future is futile, and certainly exhausting.
I’ve said it before but, if you stumble as often as I do, here it is again. “Find the shoes that fit, and stay in them.
Meet me here next week and meanwhile, do your best. Somebody might like it.