Every Decision Causes a Ripple Effect
It’s been quite a journey getting here, embarking on a new life that inspires, motivates, and lights me up inside. Don’t get me wrong, life wasn’t horrible. In fact, it was good. But “good” turned out to be “not good enough”. I had a wake-up call, reminding me that life is very short. “Hey Suz, is this really the life you want?” The answer came quickly and truthfully. No.
I made bold decisions to end a 10-year relationship and walk away from a 20-year career in teaching. What seemed to take a year and a half from the first thought of these changes to the present, actually took a lifetime of learning and growing.
This morning, I realized with crystal clarity that both decisions had a ripple effect that impacted a lot of people. Because I just left my job as a teacher (yesterday was the last day of school), I thoughtfully considered each person who was directly affected by this- each student, each family member, and each colleague floated one by one in my awareness. Wow, that realization carries a lot of responsibility and weight! (More on that later.) Because of my choice, many of them had to make choices, too. And the ripples continue to expand outward.
Decide How I Want to Decide
When it is time to make a decision, I have to decide how I wanted to decide. Do I…
1. Make a choice based on fear, anxiety, and doubt?
2. Or… spoiler alert- this is the better option…Make a choice from a place of love, courage, and authenticity?
A Team of Advisors
There are a great many candidates who want to be on my trusted Team of Advisors for decision-making. Let me introduce you to them. Perhaps you know some of them, too.
In one group are the naysayers– external and internal. They think they are helping by keeping you small and “safe”. They say things like, “You need to find a secure job”, “You can’t make money doing that”, “No one will ever love you like I do”, “You’ll never find anyone else”, “Who are you kidding?”, “You are too old/young/inexperienced/overqualified.” The external naysayers could be friends, family, or colleagues. The internal naysayers could be the inner critic, the perfectionist, the good girl/boy, the people-pleaser, or the martyr. They mean well but guide from a place of fear.
In the other group are the encouragers– external and internal. They have your best interest at heart, saying things like, “You won’t know until you try”, “You’ve always wanted this, go for it”, “There’s no time like the present”, “You deserve to be happy (loved, appreciated, valued)”, “Follow your heart”, “Trust yourself”, “You have my support”, and “I believe in you”. The external encouragers could be friends, family, or colleagues. The internal encouragers are your heart, feelings, intuition (gut instinct), dreams, and your awareness of synchronicities. They don’t just mean well; they DO well, guiding from a place of love, support, empowerment, and authenticity.
You may have felt two very different sensations in your chest or abdomen as you read those last two paragraphs. Read them again and heighten your awareness. Which feels kinder, gentler, and more positive? The second one, right?
With Choice Comes Responsibility
So back to “the ripple effect”. With every decision comes the weight and responsibility of impacting others. As I considered the weight of my most recent decision, I realized that almost everything I do can impact others and, likewise, what others do can impact me. That’s just part of being interconnected. It can paralyze us, detering us from ever deciding anything. But then I asked myself a question that made all the difference.
The Big Question
Am I living my best life from a place of love, courage, and authenticity?
If something is going to ripple out from me energetically, I want it to be positive! The teacher in me imagines how great it would be if each child grew up feeling encouraged to be themselves and follow their hearts. We are examples for one another. I’m constantly inspired by those who have the courage to pursue their dreams, leave unhealthy relationships, take chances, and SOAR!
An acquaintance asked me what would happen if I failed at my business venture. My response, “I can’t fail. By having the courage to try, I’ve already succeeded.”
The Universe Will Respond… I Promise
As soon as I released what no longer served and made space for new possibilities, the Universe responded in surprising and magical ways. There were synchronisitic events, support came from the most unexpected places, clarity came through dreams, and expansive opportunities appeared almost immediately.
Remember when I asked you to reread those two paragraphs? The feeling you got from the second one is the feeling I get when I listen to my intuition, knowing it is my most trusted advisor and encourager.
What I say to my Self is what I say to you- Trust your Self. You already know. There are encouragers, seen and unseen, just waiting to support you. You are loved. Namaste!