There are times when barreling ahead is manifestly stupid. Yet, sometimes we continue on a course that is clearly disastrous, possibly even catastrophic, because we don't want to be perceived as a quitter... we don't want to give up. Sometimes retreat is the better option. Sometimes running like hell in the other direction will save our life.Making a decision to turn back isn't always as easy as it might seem. If the danger is not obvious, but intuition tells us it's present, it's harder to justify our decision. In that case, it requires extra resolution to walk away--especially if those around us perceive no danger.
I have been in a situation that's made me very, very uneasy for quite a while now. And in the last few weeks I've wrestled with the decision--walk away? Or stay? It's difficult to make the break.
Sometimes it can be the smallest straw that finally makes the llama lie down. I think I've had that littlest straw handed to me. And this llama refuses to carry any more weird stuff. No more smoke and mirrors. No more odd stories. And no more inexplicable reasons for strange behaviors.
I believe I'll ride back out on the horse I rode in on.
anny
Don't forget the Falling Leaves Contest! It will be over on Feb 28 so enter now!
Once again, Anny - you've hit it on the head. Listening to your intuition is sometimes hard when there is no outward evidence to support your feelings - but every time I've ignored my intuition I've regretted it.
ReplyDeleteThere's an old saying: "Discretion is the better part of valor." Sounds like you're acting with discretion.
ReplyDeleteI'm standing at the end of the road with a bouquet of flowers and some blue men, waiting. I seems a lot scarier to follow your intuition than the reality has shown. Take a deep breath and come walk with me.
ReplyDeleteWhatever your decision entails and why ever you need to do it, all the best. Thinking of you.
ReplyDeleteOne of my college degrees is in information theory, so it entailed a lot of classes on cognition, which in turn had a lot of info on decisions. How we make them, don't make them, etc.
ReplyDeleteI still remember a large part of one course devoted to making decisions. There were a bunch of different theories (matrices, decision trees, etc.) But one theorist boiled it all down to:
If you have 2 choices and both are equally uncertain or equally weighted, always go with the one that may provide the most choices into the future. In short, always choose the branching path. That will eventually lead you to your goal in ways you never anticipated. Or it may show you new goals.
I've tried to follow that plus the 'go with your gut' advice, and so far I'm happy with where I've ended up.
Oh, and always follow that sage advice: "Life is uncertain so eat dessert first." Absolutely essential, I think.
Indecision is such a tough thing. It'll just eat at you sometimes. Trust your gut feelings and forge ahead. That's all any of us can do. What was it Walt Whitman said about 'the road less traveled'? Who knows what might be waiting on it.
ReplyDeleteHugs, Anny. It takes a courageous person to admit defeat and walk away.
ReplyDeleteMia, can I come too? I like the blue men!
I'm also with JL...eat dessert first!
Hahaha...WV is 'waten'
Ummm Reg? I think that was Robert Frost.
ReplyDeleteA llama on a horse? Grin.
ReplyDeleteOh, man, it sucks sometimes to have to make choices, doesn't it. Right with you all the way, pal. Even if it means propping the llama up on the horse!
You're a big kid - you'll do the right thing for you
ReplyDelete