Thursday, March 15, 2012

Just thinkin' 'bout happiness and decisions

I was talking to a friend today about someone feeling like they hadn't received an answer to a big decision they were trying to make in their life. This person had been praying about it, but hesitated because they didn't feel like they got a definite answer. My friend kind of shook her head when she heard this, and was telling me how this sort of situation is difficult for her to understand. She said that sometimes she's unsure of what she wants to do, but after she thinks about it is able to make definitive decision concerning the situation. She said that if you feel good about a situation and are happy with it, then maybe you don't need an answer. Maybe that good feeling and your already established happiness is the answer you're looking for.

This really struck me, because I had not thought of this before.

A lot of times, I'm looking for a definite answer, or as she put it, a bolt of lightning. I want this feeling of reassurance or something to happen that will tell me where to go and what to do. Maybe this isn't what I should be looking for. Maybe I should be content with happiness dictating my decision making. Maybe I should be asking myself, "Is this making me happy? Is this what I want? If yes, then go for it."

In case you were unaware, I'm having a difficult time deciding what to do this spring/summer. So I think I'll approach this decision from a different angle. Maybe I'm not sure what exactly I want to do, but I know there are some things I do want and some things I don't want. So maybe I'll think about this, weigh my options, make a list of things I do/don't want, and then make my decision. And then I'll decide which option will make me happiest.

Yeah. Let's do that.