Choose Wisely: The Importance of Making Good Choices
January 7, 2009
In one of my older Journals I kept a few reminders that at any given moment each decision I make can get me closer to, or further from, my goals. I need to make a dedicated effort to choose wisely. I need to embrace my free will in favor of spiritual growth and happiness. So I’d like to share that list here:
- If you don’t make a choice, one will be made for you.
- If you don’t have a plan, your (bad) habits will lead you.
- If you made a mistake, correct it; don’t make it worse.
- If you wouldn’t do it with others present, don’t do it at all.
- If you can’t choose your thoughts or desires, you can choose how you act on them.
Many of the entries in my Journals are about my unhealthy relationship with food. I’m not over or under weight, and I don’t have an eating disorder per se. What I have is more of an internal psychological love/hate relationship with food… or my body’s needs versus desires for it. I try to eat just what my body needs, not what it craves; but that hardly ever works for long. By all accounts, I should be overweight; instead, I am deceptively unfit. But my point is, it’s not about the “food.” You could substitute any other drug or bad habit and the internal battle would be the same: “I don’t want to give in, I know I shouldn’t give in, I’m gonna do it anyway… just this once.” So, whatever the vice, we need to constantly choose wisely. Do you struggle with making choices you KNOW you should not make? (Photo Credit)
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Posted in addictions, bad habits, choices, compulsions, pleasure
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[...] 8. Stop the bleeding. You won’t be able to heal this wound until you stop the bleeding. Once you know you made a mistake, don’t keep making it! Dedicate your energy to new beginnings, instead. Quit looking in the rearview mirror and concentrate on the road ahead so you can learn to choose wisely. [...]
Your bullet points are very well said.
I particularly like this one, “If you made a mistake, correct it; don’t make it worse.”
Bamboo Forest – PunIntended’s latest post… Why You Should Accept Everything in Life Just the Way it is
Hi, Bamboo Forest! Nice to see you here (I’ve seen you around the blogosphere for a while).
Yeah, that one is a biggie because sometimes, when we make a poor choice, we rationalize our way into continuing to make that bad decision over and over again. Then it’s even harder to get back from the hole we dug ourselves. It’s best to recognize the mistake and quit making it.
Hello,
First timer here… found ya via howtomakemyblog. I’m Miguel, anyhow. I really like your points here, especially the first two. I’ve know the benefits of a plan but also know the pain of being led by unhealthy habits.
Say a close friend once said, “Know your plan and work your plan.” Cheers!
-Mig
PS, I’ll give ya a follow on Twitter.
Hi, Miguel! I’m so glad you are here… and welcome to Q4B! It’s funny, this was one of my earlier posts, before I realized I would become a “blogger” or keep at it for very long. I keep thinking I should go back and revise it to make it more impressive. But, the fact is, this came from one of my journals a while back when I was really struggling with one bad habit in particular. These were the words that got me through it. Simple but true.
I’ll go look for you on twitter, so I can follow you back. =-)
[...] Stop. Think. Prioritize. Choose Wisely. [...]