Decisions, Decisions! Choices (Part 1)
Categories: Choices, Léo’s Insights 2022-2023
The other day, my wife, Faye and I decided to take a break from our increasingly busy workload to go to an outdoor music event. Strangely, we could not decide when to head out, and once we got there the indecision continued. Where to sit? What to eat? What to drink? Sit alone or with others? For some reason, neither of us could decide. Too tired, maybe. We found ourselves temporarily paralyzed by this indecision. I finally picked a place to sit, setting us free from our paralysis, and the rest of the decisions came easily.
While later reflecting on this unusual experience, I realized that the inability or refusal to decide is what prevents people from moving forward, even from learning and growing. When one thinks of it, life is actually made up of decisions, many decisions. And every decision has outcomes, be they big or small, good, bad or inconsequential.
It is probably fair to say that nobody makes a decision with the deliberate intent to fail or suffer negative consequences. While good consequences may be the end goal of decision making, bad consequences are also a real possibility. We instinctively know that the bigger the decision, the greater the chance of success, risk of error, or failure. This is why we are usually careful to make the best choices, based on good information.
Decisions regarding the education of our children are a case in point with very big, even life-long consequences. Deciding where and how our children will be educated is based on how we view parental authority and who we believe has the ultimate responsibility for the training and teaching of our children.
Before proceeding, let us look at a few things regarding decisions:
1) Decisions will have to be made regarding anything and everything, particularly regarding our children’s education.
2) All decisions involve risk, and outcomes are not necessarily restricted to the decision maker.
3) The more risk averse one is, the greater the probability of indecision.
4) Indecision or determining not to decide is in fact a decision which will still have resulting consequences.
5) Indecision allows someone or something else to determine the outcome of your life and that of your children. To demonstrate this point, I instructed my children and grandchildren, as well as the thousands of students I had the good pleasure of knowing: “Think, or someone will do the thinking for you and they (be it he, she or it) may not have your best interest at heart.”
6) You CANNOT blame others for decisions you made or failed to make.
7) The more information you have prior to deciding, the better your decision will likely be.
Now, let’s review a few points regarding information.
1) There is never a lack of “experts” to help you make decisions. Many people will sincerely want to help you make the right decision but may wrongly advise you based on their often limited or faulty experience and knowledge.
2) Information is not to be equated with truth. You may have noticed the word “truth” has been largely replaced with the word “facts”, and if a “fact” contradicts or challenges the prevailing ideologies of this world, it is quickly ignored or dismissed as misinformation or disinformation. Generally speaking, this should indicate whether something is “true” rather than “factual”.
3) God is not the author of confusion, nor is He the source of complicated thoughts and ideas. His wisdom is simple enough for children to comprehend. Keep things straight and simple (KISS it).
4) Just because everybody is doing “it” does not mean “it” is right. Beware of the addictiveness of peer pressure.
5) One can make a determination of the truth of a statement or “fact” by seeking its origin. As an example, if fear is the primary motivator for an action, it does not come from God, as He is not the author of fear. Seeking the truth and basing your decisions on it will lead to the best results.
6) Emotions are not good determiners for good decisions.
Remember, failing to make a decision licenses someone else to do it for you. This may be good when parents decide for children, but not likely when children or others decide for parents. Education is one of the biggest decisions you will make regarding the future of you children. Make your education decisions carefully and thoughtfully.
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