It's that caution or circumspection of any dangers or risks expected. It's the ability to be shrewd in the circumstances coming our way. It's called prudence.
What if these two come together?
They can make a perfect tandem. It makes sense that in any life situation, we recognize it well. We need to understand all the details that come with it and respond to it accordingly.
In becoming wise and prudent, we become open-minded. We know how to observe, reflect, think, and accept constant change. We can keep our cool - no strong ego or thick skin coming at us. We know how to consider the long-term consequences of our actions.
Having wisdom and prudence developed in us can take lots of time. It involves thinking through the options, weighing all factors, managing the emotions that drive our decision-making, seeking a second opinion when needed, and others.
It's a valuable need for us even at this time. In our fast-paced world, decisions at times have to be quick. The thought of it makes us anxious, but it happens. And sometimes, we have to make the best choices in that limited time, hoping that choice wasn't a mistake.
No life is perfect. We made decisions we thought were right. But they turn out to be otherwise. These choices lead us to where we are now. Sometimes, they lead us to regret. All we can do is live with them. And moving forward, we make the next ones better, hopefully without regrets.
So, how can we be wise and prudent in all we do? It starts with a choice. And a choice comes from asking the right questions. So, I'll share five questions I learned to consider asking when making our decisions:
1. Am I being honest with myself -- really?
I don't think there's a person who isn't happy with making decisions based on what they think is best. A person who makes decisions like this has sincere and genuine intentions.
Decision-making can be challenging. And it's okay to slow down first. You can gather everything you need before you arrive at that decision. And once done, go with the flow of its outcomes. And when regret comes, forgive yourself and learn from it. Be your own best friend as you continue to move forward.
2. What story do you want to tell?
We love stories of all sorts. But we might not know that we're behind the making of a story. It's the story of our lives, and we're writing it one decision at a time. We're also behind the unfolding of it. We decide if it becomes the story we can be proud to tell or not at all. And that part is going to be permanent.
3. Is there a tension that deserves my attention?
If something bothers us, do we allow it to do so? Or do we silence it? What about ignoring it? Can we still sense that inner feeling when something doesn't seem right? Do we accept it or dodge it? It takes listening to that tension for us to come to our senses. It can help us discern better.
Sometimes, we don't accept the truth because we believe we can predict the future. But we don't always predict outcomes accurately. We may be disappointed in the end. A simple pause for that tension can do. And who knows, a better plan than what we imagine comes our way.
4. What is the wise thing to do?
It's human nature to get by in our irresponsibility or disaster and stay there as long as possible without becoming our worst enemy. Is it worth it?
Sometimes, a decision can be both not wrong and unwise at the same time. It's not about what's good or bad, but what's wise to do. And anything not wise is the gateway to regret.
It's time to evaluate. In light of our past experiences, what is the wise thing to do? What about our current circumstances? Our future hopes and dreams? Hopefully, we can live wisely with a purpose.
5. What does love require of me?
It has to do with the relationships we have that make our decisions. And the best way to build relationships is through love. Not all relationships can turn out well. But can we still act on them in the best and greatest love possible?
When unsure of what to say or do, what does love require of us? It can be challenging, but it's the most human to do. Love honors the person despite everything. And hopefully, we don't create a bad outcome from there.
Based on these questions, I can characterize them in one word: forethought. It's the careful consideration of what may happen in the future. It's thinking and planning ahead of time. When we practice this well, we can prepare for anything the outcomes bring us. For those we're sure of, we know what to do. For those we didn't expect, we can always find a way. Higher chances are we can manage them well.
And with this forethought comes a balance. There are things we need to think through over and over, and there are those that don't. There are risks we calculate that we can avoid and those we also take if needed. There are things we need to plan and execute early, and those we can do at a definite time.
What's important is that we make the most of it as an opportunity every day to live our lives the best that we can. The decisions we make should not only benefit others but also benefit ourselves. We can make the future with just the proper forethought. So, let us rethink best to navigate life best with forethought.
Comments
Post a Comment