Finding a clear path to take on the road of life isn’t always easy. At some point we all find ourselves lost. We find ourselves at a crossroads and we don’t know which path to take. Which way will help us to be happy and to thrive?
People struggle with whether to stay in less than ideal relationships or whether to cut their losses and run. They struggle with finding a job and knowing which jobs to apply for and should they take this job when the job they really want is a possibility too. Should they stay at their job, get married, have kids, or whatever.
We all have decisions to make and some have huge consequences for us. The reason I teach applied Humanism is because it provides a solid ethical foundation on which to make those decisions.
The reason certain decisions are so hard to make is because there are no guarantees in life. And that’s ok. As a Humanist I accept that there is no supernatural force conspiring to help me. I understand and accept this reality as part of my life philosophy and it affects how I approach my life.
Henry David Thoreau once said, “The only obligation which I have a right to assume is to do at any time what I think is right.”
I love this quote because it reminds me in those moments I am making difficult decisions, that all I can ever do is what I think is right, in that moment! And that’s key. If in the future I learn that I made a mistake, I can always choose another path. My future is not set in stone. I can create and recreate my future as often as I need to. And I have.
Knowing what you really want to accomplish in life is half the battle. The other half is being willing to make the best decisions you have in the moment, with the incomplete information you have in the moment. Is it scary? Yes. Will you always be right? No. But if you make an effort to make good decisions, your outcomes are bound to be more good than bad.
To learn more – consider take Planning for Personal Success! A Humanist Approach with Jennifer Hancock. This 1 ½ hour program will help you figure out what your ultimate good is and how to make better decisions so that you can live life fully and intentionally.
People struggle with whether to stay in less than ideal relationships or whether to cut their losses and run. They struggle with finding a job and knowing which jobs to apply for and should they take this job when the job they really want is a possibility too. Should they stay at their job, get married, have kids, or whatever.
We all have decisions to make and some have huge consequences for us. The reason I teach applied Humanism is because it provides a solid ethical foundation on which to make those decisions.
The reason certain decisions are so hard to make is because there are no guarantees in life. And that’s ok. As a Humanist I accept that there is no supernatural force conspiring to help me. I understand and accept this reality as part of my life philosophy and it affects how I approach my life.
Henry David Thoreau once said, “The only obligation which I have a right to assume is to do at any time what I think is right.”
I love this quote because it reminds me in those moments I am making difficult decisions, that all I can ever do is what I think is right, in that moment! And that’s key. If in the future I learn that I made a mistake, I can always choose another path. My future is not set in stone. I can create and recreate my future as often as I need to. And I have.
Knowing what you really want to accomplish in life is half the battle. The other half is being willing to make the best decisions you have in the moment, with the incomplete information you have in the moment. Is it scary? Yes. Will you always be right? No. But if you make an effort to make good decisions, your outcomes are bound to be more good than bad.
Love this, Jennifer. Am working these days on listening to intuition when making each decision. And this really spoke to me: "But if you make an effort to make good decisions, your outcomes are bound to be more good than bad."
ReplyDeleteThank You!
So glad it was helpful!
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