Decisions, Decisions, Decisions

Unique Perspectives: Decisions, Decisions, Decisions

By Kim Stevens

I remember hearing the saying: “If you don’t stand for something, you’ll fall for anything.”

I also remember being in a personal growth program and my coach asking me, “What are you committed to, Kim?” 

Hm, great question. 

As part of the exercise – aptly named “Commitment Above Feelings” – I was asked to write down exactly what I was committed to and wow, that was such an eye-opening experience! For the first time in what felt like forever, I thought critically about the things I wanted to be committed to in my life. What are my core values and unwavering beliefs? The exercise made me realize that I was a bit of a waffler, and writing things down gave me a blueprint for decision-making, like a roadmap I could follow with newly articulated commitments illuminating the way. 

Better yet, because of this exercise, I began to create an authentic path I could stay committed to, even when I don't feel like it - commitments over feelings, right?

When I make decisions based on how I feel at any given moment, I am not consistently moving in the direction I envisioned. I’m back to waffling again. When I decide based on what I’m committed to, I’m more often walking on solid ground. And it’s during those times when I don’t feel like this is true that I need to remember what I’m committed to most. Then, once I reaffirm what I’ve decided I am committed to, I don’t focus so much on what’s actually happening in the moment, but rather look past the current reality and get to the other side of it, where I know the endless possibilities and the feelings of pride and self-respect are there waiting for me.

Albert Einstein once said, “The most important decision we make is whether we believe we live in a friendly or hostile universe.” I’ve made this all-important decision long ago: My Universe is always friendly! But what does that really mean? Some people live by that old adage, “When I see it, I’ll believe it.” The opposite is true for me. When I BELIEVE it, I see it. So, when I decide to believe the Universe is good, benevolent and always on my side, then this belief that I am committed to profoundly shapes the way I interact with and see the world around me.