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The
Art of Decision Making
by
Sister Paula Mary Palasz, CSSF
Have you ever been on a journey
where you reach a fork in the road and were unsure about which
path to take? Decision making can be thought of being on this
path and reaching that point where you are not sure of the next
step. In fact, our lives are filled with these points which call
us to make decisions every day.
Many decisions are small and not
so significant, for example, which cereal to eat for breakfast or
which video to watch tonight. Other decisions have more
importance. Which friends do I choose, which college should I
attend, or which nursing facility is best for grandma? Still
other decisions call for a lifetime commitment. Who will I share
the rest of my life with? How can I live a fulfilled adult life
in the Church? Is Church ministry a value to me? What are my
values? Is God calling me to the priesthood or religious life?
When answering these questions,
that is, when looking at decisions of great significance, we come
to a time on the journey when we need to examine all the options,
follow the lead of the Spirit and say "Yes" to making a
decision.
There are several steps to making
an important life decision. The first is the awareness that an
important decision needs to be made. It’s essential to be
alert to the prompting of the Spirit, especially in crucial
times. Decision making is not always a crisis but is always a
growth-filled process. As you consider your options, be attentive
to the process and to your feelings throughout it. Secondly, make
a mental list or jot down the pros and cons of the various
options involved in making this particular decision. This
doesn’t have to be an extremely formal process, but is an
important step, because it places all the options clearly before
you.
Next ask yourself about possible
consequences for each option or how each might fit into your
life’s goals and plans. Then pray about the decision. Simply
ask God for guidance. Asking for wisdom and the openness to do
God’s will may allow your heart to be open to whatever may
be encountered along the way. Fourthly, check it out with a
mentor, family member, trusted friend, or "wisdom"
friend who has gone through a similar life experience. Although
the decision is yours to make, running it past another listening
ear and checking it out with someone who knows you well can be of
great help. Know you are not alone, and take comfort in knowing
that such a decision is not unique to you alone. A true friend or
a good mentor will not make the decision for you, but will
lovingly support you. Next, comes the true test of all in
decision making, taking action! Now, you’ve made the
decision and are ready to "test the waters" and
"walk the talk". Don’t be afraid of making a
decision, because Jesus assures us "love casts out all
fear". If one’s heart is in the right place and one is
striving for attitudes like those of Jesus and Mary, who modeled
for us decision making in their lives, then the best decision
will have been made.
Finally, when the decision is made
and acted upon, a sense of true peace will prevail over you.
Peace is the ultimate gift of a good decision - a peace no one
can take from you.
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