You know those times in your life when you come to an intersection?
A major decision that will change your life one way or the other? A marriage, major career move, a decision to travel?
I must admit, I don't like those moments very much, and I must also admit that I am not very good at intersections. This is something I learned about myself a long time ago. It's not that I don't know how to make a decision. SWOT analysis works for everything (well perhaps not that formal, but you know what I mean). I am very rational when it comes to my actions, and in the end I make the optimum decision based on the circumstances.
But I still hate that moment of intersection..
I stand there, not sure whether to take the right turn or left turn. I look for superstitious signs. I tried to enlist the experiences of those who went down similar roads, but in the end, no two roads or experiences are the same. They are at least different simply in the manner in which people themselves are different. I listen to others even though I know I cannot rely on what they tell me quite too much. I seek the advice of people who know me well. I do all this quickly, sum things up, and the decision and its general reprecussions become somewhat clear.
At that point, the thing to do is to take the step in the direction chosen. My body moves, but my heart, soul and mind linger at the intersection for a while longer. As my body, heart, soul and mind re-unite, my steps in the chosen direction become much stronger and surer. But occasionally, I would take a quick glance over my shoulders, just to see if I could a glimpse of the other road. As I walk further down the road, the intersection becomes lost in my memory.
The intersection used to be a burden on my soul until recently. After all, wrenching body from soul is not a nice occurance. I say until recently because I've just learned something in the past few months which has made the intersection a bit easier. I used to think it's impossible to turn back. Off course, the less backwards motion you do, the further ahead you go in life. But just in case you do take a wrong turn (and I've taken a couple), you can bask in the luxury of knowledge that no matter how far ahead up any road, it's never late to turn back.
In fact, not turning back when you know you should is basically betraying yourself, which is sometimes fine because we have obligations which may make turning back impossible. But that's life, a series of trade-offs. But the point is, if you can afford to go back then you definitely should, because there is a "rope and ladder" effect where if you go back to the right intersection, you may actually find a ladder that takes you to the 99 spot in less time and with less effort than the road you where taking. Don't try to second-guess fate, and go with what you feel is right at any given moment in life, no matter what the consequences are.
And, by the way, if you're not sure, take a left at that next intersection :).
A major decision that will change your life one way or the other? A marriage, major career move, a decision to travel?
I must admit, I don't like those moments very much, and I must also admit that I am not very good at intersections. This is something I learned about myself a long time ago. It's not that I don't know how to make a decision. SWOT analysis works for everything (well perhaps not that formal, but you know what I mean). I am very rational when it comes to my actions, and in the end I make the optimum decision based on the circumstances.
But I still hate that moment of intersection..
I stand there, not sure whether to take the right turn or left turn. I look for superstitious signs. I tried to enlist the experiences of those who went down similar roads, but in the end, no two roads or experiences are the same. They are at least different simply in the manner in which people themselves are different. I listen to others even though I know I cannot rely on what they tell me quite too much. I seek the advice of people who know me well. I do all this quickly, sum things up, and the decision and its general reprecussions become somewhat clear.
At that point, the thing to do is to take the step in the direction chosen. My body moves, but my heart, soul and mind linger at the intersection for a while longer. As my body, heart, soul and mind re-unite, my steps in the chosen direction become much stronger and surer. But occasionally, I would take a quick glance over my shoulders, just to see if I could a glimpse of the other road. As I walk further down the road, the intersection becomes lost in my memory.
The intersection used to be a burden on my soul until recently. After all, wrenching body from soul is not a nice occurance. I say until recently because I've just learned something in the past few months which has made the intersection a bit easier. I used to think it's impossible to turn back. Off course, the less backwards motion you do, the further ahead you go in life. But just in case you do take a wrong turn (and I've taken a couple), you can bask in the luxury of knowledge that no matter how far ahead up any road, it's never late to turn back.
In fact, not turning back when you know you should is basically betraying yourself, which is sometimes fine because we have obligations which may make turning back impossible. But that's life, a series of trade-offs. But the point is, if you can afford to go back then you definitely should, because there is a "rope and ladder" effect where if you go back to the right intersection, you may actually find a ladder that takes you to the 99 spot in less time and with less effort than the road you where taking. Don't try to second-guess fate, and go with what you feel is right at any given moment in life, no matter what the consequences are.
And, by the way, if you're not sure, take a left at that next intersection :).
5 comments:
Well, I have a different issue with intersections...Some are in such way build that the mind and heart reach different decisions. And although you know the mind is the one to follow, the path of the heart would be so much easier for a while...No struggle, no tiredness!
Oh yeah... that definitely is a problem. I don't know which is worse.. to have mind and heart agreeing to go in both directions, or to have each one want to go in different directions. Both are soul-wrenching I am sure...
True, both scenarios sound quite troublesome! I wish it were never the case for either one.
yes amr, i think she's right. i think that having both mind and heart convinced with two different decisions is worse. you know this is my situation nowadays :(:(.
the problem is that, as alina said, "And although you know the mind is the one to follow, the path of the heart would be so much easier for a while" yes it's only for a while.
well.. your chances are always 50-50. So don't fret over which "tool" to follow. Think a little (not too much), take your turn, and if you get lost, you will eventually hit another intersection.. and another and another. One good turn ought to cancel out one bad one.
Everything we do is 50-50. No worries. flip a coin :)
yours truly: fatalisticly optimistic
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