image by dreamtime.com
Some decisions are easy. You know you want to or don’t want to do something and it’s clear and simple and done.
Other decisions require more thought and contemplation because the answer isn’t as clear-cut.
Maybe you take out a piece of paper and write the PROs on one list and the CONs on the other. Maybe you ask your friends and family for their input. Often, writing it all down brings clarity.
But sometimes, all of that thinking only muddles the issue.
I remember the night I needed to decide if I was going to continue working with my amazing coach in 2011. My list of PROs and CONs was evenly matched. There were just as many reasons to say YES as there were not to.
I was so overwhelmed with having to choose that I couldn’t sleep. And the lack of sleep led to a head cold.
Have you ever tried to make a decision when you felt like your head was submerged in a fish bowl?
But that’s exactly what I needed. To NOT be able to think my way to the decision. But instead, to FEEL my way to it.
When I was able to stop trying to figure it out and go deep into my heart, the answer became clear.
Shifting our focus from rational thinking to creative intuition will always lead us to the right choice.
A client recently needed to make a choice and all of the thinking was driving her crazy. Since she didn’t have a head cold, I suggested she find an activity that took her out of her head. She immediately realized she needed to go PAINT. A few days later she reported that she had new clarity and had made a decision that felt really good and right.
Short of getting a head cold, how can you move from your head to your heart?
• Take a long walk in nature.
• Pull out your paints and follow the colors and shapes on the canvas.
• Tear images from a magazine and see what tickles your fancy.
• Roll down a hill (with or without a child.)
• Go dancing or biking or hiking or skating.
• Take a nap.
I’d love to hear your experiences. You can share them below by clicking on the Comments button.
hey ruth ~
this is a great start to the week – out of the head, into the heart! it’s a great message and as always you share it in a delightful way. sorry you had to muddle through a head cold to find your answer. that’s not so fun – i like the painting for answers more!
thanks for all your great messages about living from the heart.
~ julie
Very timely Ruth!
This is especially true for those LOOMING decisions. That either cost some dough or we feel like they will might make us jump into a bigger change than we are ready for, OR when you have to trust that you have more to give then you’ve given yourself credit for until now. Yesterday I was getting caught up in one and caught myself. A bike ride on a crisp autumn day and some ‘mother daughter time’ took me to a MUCH better place. Made a decision, now I just need to stick to it 😉
Great insight into an ongoing issue – thanks Ruth!
thanks, gals. once we decide, our conscious decision becomes a touchstone to keep coming back to, that place a clarity. Stacey, love the ways you found YOUR way.