Difficult decisions are common to all and common decisions are difficult to most. The vast majority of the population would rather flee to the hilltops living on rations for the rest of their lives as opposed to being placed into a position where they had to make decisions day in and day out. “That is ridiculous Steve” is the comment I usually receive. “Why in the world would anyone go to such extremes to avoid decisions? Living on rations? In the hilltops? Please!” The popular majority would declare that if truth were a doll named Armstrong then I would be the inventor who created the stretch stuff inside of him. I put my reputation on the line and declare that my words are truer than life itself and to prove my point I will use you as an example.
Let’s say you go out to eat with some close friends. Sitting at the restaurant scanning through the menu you come up with about four different items that look as though they could dazzle your palate. Surprise, you cannot decide which entrée you desire so you ask your friends what they are having, as if what they want will trick your taste buds into desiring the same thing. If their answer does not mesmerize those self-independent buds then you appeal to the higher authority on the matter.
“Excuse me, waiter what is your favorite thing on the menu?” He answers, “I know everyone says this but everything is good here.” Then out of quiet desperation you ask do you like these and rattle off your four items. Let me save you time. He will say they are all good and will name nothing specific or he will name so many items that he or she might as well recite the whole menu.
Do you know why? He, like you, does not want to make a decision for you because he could be wrong. Interestingly enough that is the same reason why you interrogated him about the entrée. Now, I realize that some of you are saying I do not do that. I know exactly what I want before I even walk through the door. Which again proves my point. When people branch out and make a decision on their own and that decision proves to bring a pleasant outcome, they will continue to make that same decision for the rest of their days inside and outside of that restaurant. This is an excellent way to be when you are three and a half and need to only learn once not to touch the hot stove, however in life it has the tendency to remove the flavor (pun intended.)
Now about the point where individuals are running to the hills eating wild locust and honey in order to flee from the decision making process. Most people are living on rations, a.k.a. paycheck to paycheck. Most people live only three or four paychecks from bankruptcy (Wow, that’s close!) Why? I am afraid the lack of financial stability stems from “knowing what you are going to order before you walk into the door.”
Not changing your decisions and mindsets has given you the same material or relational outcomes that your parents have had. Did you know that the definition of insanity is doing the same things over and over again and expecting different results? You cannot expect to make the same decisions and follow the same habits and receive something different from life. You will not.
Look around your work place and ask yourself who is the person who makes the most money? I will guarantee you he or she is the same individual who carries the most responsibilities and by default makes the most decisions that effect that organization. Allow me to let you in on a little secret, everyone is terrified to make decisions in the beginning, however, the more decisions you make, the more the fear dwindles. Yet, between you and me the fear never will completely go away. You just must simply choose to push through. Go ahead and choose your own meal.