One Decision, Two Choices

Every day, we are faced with a profuse number of decisions to make. These decision range from minuscule and peripheral decisions to decisions that can shape your future and change your life for the rest of the way. When faced with inconsequential decisions, one can decided impulsively in an instant without any hesitation, but the same cannot be said when faced with decisions that have so much in stake.

These types of decisions are made even harder and more crucifying when one has to choose between two choices that are equally right and consequential. It becomes a really dreadful and exasperating process choosing between two things that can both possibly shape your life. Even when weighing the pros and cons of both options, a deadlock still emerges for they both offer the same amount of benefits and drawbacks.

When this happens, one starts to look at the possible outcomes and what it can do for his/her future. Like they say, we only live once, and there are some choices that we have to make that will forever impact our life and once made, there will be no looking back.

This is the dilemma I face right now, having to choose between two things that are so different but at the same time so alike. Two things that mean so much to me yet there can only be one. Two things that have so much mystery and uncertainty clouding them. Two things that if I commit to will definitely shape who I am and all my experiences in the near future.

Aside from your inner demons constantly arguing for the different choices and options regularly, added to the equation are your friends, family and other outsiders who try to help you but end up confusing you even more. I’ve realized that you should ask for the opinion of others for they might have a different perspective, but at the same time, it’s just as vital to follow your heart and know what you want for it’s still your life and you should be ultimately be able to live up to your decision and have no regrets.

Situations like these can be a daunting, mind-blowing, heart wrenching process that can drive people crazy but that’s life for you. There’s no use in stressing yourself, over thinking and worrying about the future for there are a myriad of possibilities that can happen that you truly cannot tell what will unfold in the next day, month or week.

I guess it’s time to listen to my own advice, follow my heart, make a final decision, commit myself, and pray for the best!

-DOitChoco

Toppling the giant known as……”OVER THINKING”

We’ve finally finished our discussion of the book, Julius Caesar by Shakespeare. The tragedies of the different characters of this book truly showed me what can happen when one over thinks or misunderstands signs or omens. With everything that has been happening in my life right now and all the life-changing decisions I have to make sooner or later as Junior Year ends, I can’t help at times but over think and put meaning into things that aren’t suppose to mean anything.

In our everyday lives, there are different signs and omens that we look at when making decisions. During trying moments and when we have to make life-changing decisions, we ask God for signs. Then when something out of the ordinary occurs, we immediately label it as a sign or omen, even if it may have just been a coincidence.

Misreading and misinterpreting signs is human nature for nobody is perfect. Like what Cicero said, “Men may construe things after their fashion, / Clean from the purpose of the things themselves” (I.iii.34–35). 

This is the truth and more often than not, we see things the way we want to see them. There are a lot of instances in our life where we have to make decisions and think things over before acting. During these times of weighing and reflection, we can’t help ourselves from putting meaning into things that don’t really mean much. Because of this, we end up over thinking and instead of making the best possible decision, we end up doing something uncharacteristic.

Overcoming the over-thinking syndrome is a challenge for most of us. Being an over thinker is a double-edged sword. At times, we are able to see the deeper details and read between the lines when we think things through, but during other instances, we end up mis interpreting signs, which leads us to confusion.

1. Don’t let any single decision dictate your life and change you. Continue to live your everyday life and do what you love to do. It is very common nowadays for people to just go on a period where they don’t do anything but fuss over a dilemma of theirs. Instead of solving their problem, they end up being even more confused and they end up doing things they’d later on regret. Aside from that, the anxiety and stress one experiences when he lets a debacle contain his life is obviously not healthy for a human being.

2. In order to avoid being barred and trapped by your debacles, try to keep yourself busy and do something that will help you clear your mind. Listen to music, play an instrument, exercise/workout, play a sport, or read a book in order to keep your mind busy. Even better yet, go out and help in a charitable organization.

3. Don’t keep everything to yourself. Don’t be afraid to seek the guidance and perspective of others; may it be your friends or family. No man is an island, and we need the help of others. More often than not, during these challenging moments, we are confounded and our vision is blurred. We usually miss key details and forget our principles and priorities in life, and what is truly important to us. Aside from this, when we share our pains and sorrows with others, the heavy feeling inside us lightens up because we realize that we aren’t alone, and that we have someone who cares for us.

4. Weigh the advantages and disadvantages but don’t think too far back to the future. This is because a lot of things can happen in a short amount of time. People will change, and things will happen. You can’t control what will happen in the future, but what you can control is your present actions.

5. Last but not the least, always remember that no matter what happens, LIFE GOES ON. A year, or even a month from now, you will have either forgotten what was bothering you to today or laughed at how you were troubled by such a simple thing. Count your blessings and appreciate what you have and your position in life. Think about it this way, there thousands of other people out there who have worse things to face.

-DOitChoco