Saturday, June 27, 2026

What Happens When You DECIDE?

 

(This is NOT from an older article but it continues our discussion on DECISIONS)

 

First and foremost, we must understand what the word, DECIDE, actually means. 

At it's core, the word "DECIDE" means to "make a final choice or judgment". Interestingly, the word study of this word indicates that it comes from the Latin word, "decidere", which literally means, "to cut off". Every time you make a decision, you are literally cutting away other possibilities and committing to a single path.

That should clear up the misconception about what so many people do at the start of each new year. We call them "New Year's Resolutions" which, in fact, rarely is there any "resolution" that has actually taken place. Do a word study on the word, "resolve" and you will find that it means to "make a firm commitment".  

I'm not sure who it was that actually did what was described in this story but, I've often heard it attributed to George Washington but I've also heard it connected to others. Either way, it's a powerful story that I believe helps us understand this concept. George Washington and some of his group were paddling in boats to a shore where their enemy was located. The story says that, upon arrival on the shore, he told his men to push the boats away from the shore so that they would understand that there was NO RETREAT and that this was a FULL COMMITMENT with no turning back.  

In the podcast for this episode I share a story from my first job in youth ministry back in 1982. An eight grade girl was in my office by requests of her parents because she was dating a much older boy and they wanted me to try to talk to her about that situation. During her visit she mentioned that they were thinking about getting married and then said, "Oh well, if it doesn't work, we can just get a divorce!"             

WOW! That is/was NOT a true "decision" (used in the right way) or a "commitment", which marriage is supposed to be. 

Friend, this "whatever happens, happen" approach will NEVER get you moving forward in and for your life! It will keep you where you are and, likely, will actually drop you even further back. That kind of thinking is POISON to and for your future! 

So, friend...what is it that you want for your future? Now listen, many times if we allow ourselves to think that way the first "defense mechanism" thought that comes up is, "Oh I can't do that. It's impossible!" There is a blog article coming soon (the podcast and videos for it are already published - see links below) titled, "When I say 'I CAN'T', I MUST!' " which helps us understand what we MUST do when faced with those negative "defense mechanism" statements.  

Try starting the process of thinking that way even now as we continue on with this process. Start "dreaming" again of what it is you want for your life. Anytime you come up with the thought, "I can't" hen get out a piece of paper or put it on your phone, tablet or computer and ask, "How CAN I make that happen?" and then brainstorm about what changes you must make in order to clear a path. Don't just say, "Yeah, Mike, that's a good idea!". START TAKING ACTION WITH IT EVEN TODAY. 

And, until next time, whatever you do,  be sure to...

"Make it an AWESOME day! (Who else is going to do it for you?)"

Mike
Posted by at

No comments:

Post a Comment

Subscribe to: Post Comments (Atom)