Big Decisions

There is a saying that I heard years ago that has been a guiding principle of my life.  “Most people don’t have a problem – they have a decision to make.”  This morning Merril read something out to me that was on Facebook.  What it says is similar and I really like it. “You’re always one decision away from a totally different life.”
I do like that.  It is easy to complain about something but harder to do something.  I can take solace in my difficulties when they are familiar.  I do not need to do anything new.  It is a place I can safely say, “been there, done that.”
Doing something else is different though.  I am out of my comfort zone.  I try to make sure I am standing on solid ground.  Often, I have done my research.  The decision is not made on a whim.  It is considered and the next step feels right.
There has only been one considered decision I have made where I felt totally secure.  Other decisions I am happy with, but until it is over, I really do not know how it will turn out.  Thankfully things turn out well, but there is no guarantee.
Making a decision to do something is scary.  If I fail, I could look pretty silly.  Things may not go according to plan – my plan anyway.  I read about one guy who had grandiose ideas that totally did not go as he saw it in his mind.  Yet what happened ended up being the perfect way to get him known, and open doors.
One of the funniest movies I ever saw was a guy planning something.  It showed how it had been planned in his mind and it went perfectly.  Then it showed what really happened and basically what could go wrong went hilariously wrong.
They reckon every day is full of decisions for each of us.  Most are inconsequential.  The decision to put the rubbish out is not earth shattering for me.  Nor is deciding to clean my teeth.  Down the track both have consequences if I ignore them, but neither are a matter of life and death (though one fellow I know went overseas and had bottled water the whole time – except when he was in a hurry to get to the airport and he has had an infection ever since).
Other decisions change life completely.  They should never be made on a whim.  Where I can, I normally sleep on the biggies.  If I still feel good about it the next day, it is a goer.  If not, it is too important to say yes.  Better to say no than regret it for the rest of my life.
But it is the decisions I have said yes to that have changed everything.  Coming to Brisbane from Townsville changed everything.  Becoming a Christian changed everything.  Getting married changed everything.  Some decisions were right for me only.  Only one is right for everyone.