The more I read, the more excited I became. It was that tingly kind of excitement that runs through the body and gives you goosebumps. As I read on, I also began to hear a stern voice in my head remind me that I already had a lot on my plate and it probably wasn’t the best time, and blah…blah…blah.
I couldn’t believe such an opportunity was available, and how it was the perfect resource for one of my goals for the year. I was excited, just like that little girl years ago who found out her parents were giving her a pony ride for her birthday. And so, I eagerly read more about the opportunity.
The more I read, the more excited I became. It was that tingly kind of excitement that runs through the body and gives you goosebumps. As I read on, I also began to hear a stern voice in my head remind me that I already had a lot on my plate and it probably wasn’t the best time, and blah…blah…blah.
Upon hearing that other voice, my excited pony riding little girl with butterflies in her stomach, instantly felt disappointment. The type of disappointment you feel when an amazing opportunity is within your grasp and suddenly yanked away. Because she was sure, that’s what was going to happen. She’d been here before and was preparing for it to happen again. I imagine you’ve been there too.
For a couple of days, I went back and forth. Every time I checked in with my heart, it felt right. Every time I checked in with my mind there was that voice (who I swear wears sensible shoes and has her hair pulled up in a bun so tight it makes her eyes look stern and stretches her mouth into a straight thin line) that constantly droned out question after question and threw up doubt after doubt. "How I was going to find the time? It wasn’t the smart thing to do right now. Who was I to think that I was ready for the potential opportunities that exist on the other side of this." "And further more . . ." Well, you get the idea because you’ve been there too. The internal struggle took on a life of its own, and I waited until almost the very last minute to make a decision. Was my pony riding little girl going to get her wish, or did the sensible-shoed, bun wearing voice make sense? How did I navigate the internal dialogue and feelings going on and make my decision?
Here’s an exercise I think you’ll find it helpful:
Slow down a minute and listen to the emotions, feelings, and voices that are presenting differing opinions.
Give them a name or a description (pony riding little girl, sensible shoes with a tight bun, etc.)
Listen to each objectively, as an observer not as a participant.
Check in with your heart, your gut, or wherever you go to determine what feels right, and present the different views.
Notice what you experience in this ‘check-in’ space.Make the decision that is best for you.
The best decision is not always the popular or easy one. It doesn’t always favor the pony riding little girl. Sometimes the sensible-shoed, tight-bunned voice is filled with wisdom worth following. There are many ways you can make a decision, and one of the places I find that gives me a consistent best answer is my ‘check-in’ place.
What decision did I make? I claimed my space in this new opportunity, much to the delight of my pony-riding girl with butterflies in her stomach. She is happily trotting along with me as I engage and participate in the learning, growth, and possibilities that lay ahead. My tight-bunned voice is also coming along to keep an eye on things I’m sure. I’ll listen to her and follow her sensible advice when it feels right and encourage her to kick off the sensible shoes and trot alongside barefoot with us once in a while.
What decisions are you putting off because you have differing internal opinions? The decisions that create confusion and uncertainty are often the ones that make the biggest impact down the road. These are the ones worth taking a few minutes to understand all sides to make the best choice for at this time. After making them, these are the ones that you’ll look back on and notice how far you’ve come.
Ready to fuel the fire in your Soul and free your Spirit? Make the important decisions you’ve been putting off. These are the ones holding you back, keeping you stuck, and limiting the experiences your Spirit yearns for.
Sometimes we can navigate these experiences on our own, sometimes we need the support of others. Both scenarios are valid, but both scenarios require you to participate. What are you waiting for? Come trot alongside me!