Choices: The good, the bad and the in-between

Choices: The good, the bad and the in-between

By expanding our focus from the issue at hand to encompass the bigger view, we may discover many more options out there.

by Ada Porat — 

When faced with a decision, we often find ourselves feeling the need to choose between polar opposites of black or white, right or wrong, good or bad. In our desire to make the “right” choice, we get so caught up in weighing the extremes that we never notice all the other options in between.

By expanding our focus from the issue at hand to encompass the bigger view, we may discover many more options out there. It is often easy to spot the clear-cut “yes” or “no” — but it may not be as easy to see the many other choices in the middle. Rather than limiting ourselves to the obvious, we could enlarge our scope to include broader options that might help us move forward with confidence and joy.

When making decisions, we are best served by considering the bigger picture first. In doing so, we can become aware of considerations we might otherwise miss by focusing too closely on the specifics of our issue. Some questions to consider in choosing the most appropriate course of action include:

Will this choice make me feel more alive? When we choose the course of action that makes us feel alive, it nurtures our soul — and that leads to growth, joy and fulfillment at all levels.

Does this choice reflect my inner values? Every choice that reflects our inner values steers us in small steps toward more effectively aligning with our life purpose. Over the course of time, these imperceptibly small moves can bring about amazing outcomes. When we don’t honor our inner values in decision-making, the sum of such choices can result in our feeling lost and detached from life’s meaning.

Will this choice allow me to move forward without causing direct harm or pain to another? Some choices in life are not easy — there may be many gray options, and not many clear rights or wrongs. Our responsibility is always to make the highest choice we are capable of. That means nobody should compromise their own growth out of fear about what others may say or do. When we hold back our own growth because we are afraid of how it may affect our relationships, everyone loses. When we take responsibility for our own growth, everyone is enriched by that choice.

Ada Porat is a certified vibrational healing instructor and spiritual life coach who uses theta brain waves to promote spiritual, emotional, mental and physical healing and growth. She is also a master shaman in the Brazilian tradition, an Usui Reiki Master and a KaRuna Reiki Master. 602-283-4628 or adaporat@cox.net.

Reprinted from AzNetNews, Volume 24, Number 2, April/May 2005.