“…every time you make a choice you are turning the central part of you that chooses, into something a little different from what it was before.”
C. S. Lewis in “Mere Christianity”
Not Big Life-Altering Decisions
I’m not talking about the choices that can lead to prison, injury, or death. Those are the big ones, the obvious ones that we all want to avoid. We know that if we gamble with drinking and driving we may get lucky and get home okay. But we also realize that we can lose that gamble and hope that it’s an officer arresting us for our poor decisions and not coming across a fatality that we’ve caused.
And this doesn’t have to be the negative big life choices. This could be the choices of starting a new job, studying abroad, starting a family, buying a house, all those enormous nerve-wracking options. The weight of the pros and cons alone can be overwhelming.
Think Smaller Choices
Think about the choices that make a difference after some time has passed. For instance, choosing a half portion at your favorite restaurant instead of half of the bread basket, the creamy potato soup (instead of the salad), the full plate of chicken fettuccine, and the large slice of devil’s food cake to cap it off. Over time, the reduced portions will become a habit and your heart health will improve.
Or choosing to leave the house a little earlier for work. This is an area I began to focus on last year. I do not do well with crazy drivers. Leaving early gives me the extra time to drive a little slower, to stay back from the pack of fast accelerators and brake slammers. It’s a small choice that is making larger strides in my calmness.
Now Think About How Even Smaller Choices Can Make a Difference
Everywhere we turn we hear about small steps to reach bigger goals. And I’m all aboard that bus. I firmly believe it.
But I want to take it a step further this year. I want to go even smaller. I want to make choices that will make me a better person. Not a better person just for my benefit, but for other’s benefit as well.
For example, going back to the traffic/driving issue I stated before, not only do I not like crazy drivers, but I don’t like being one of them. I don’t like riding people’s bumpers, cursing at people weaving in and out of traffic, or griping about all the people who toss the rules of the road out the window. I don’t like being an angry person. And I know my kids and husband don’t want to listen to me complain about every traffic infraction I witness.
By choosing to hang back, I’ve cut down on my griping and disgust with other drivers, with my speeding, with the hatred of myself for a five-minute rank about the jerk who cut me off. Is the person still a jerk? Yes. But ranting about it to myself or my passengers won’t solve anything. It just stresses me out and puts a damper on any passengers with me.
A Few Other Small Areas I’m Looking to Improve
*Waiting before I speak. Particularly when what I have to say will affect a relationship, whether it’s a working relationship or a family or friendship one, I want to make sure I speak honestly and hold to my standards.
*Remember that there are two sides to every story. When a friend, family member, or acquaintance complains about how horrible a person is, I need to reserve judgment. Especially, if I’ve never met that person. I’m only getting one side of the story. I can sympathize with their feelings, but I won’t partake in slamming the person.