Interesting part of a book...

I have been reading "Living on Purpose" by Dan Millman (same guy that wrote "Way Of The Peaceful Warrior"). I think that everyone should read this book. I read a part this morning that seemed very apropos at this time in my life.

Question: I am reasonably intelligent, but all my life I've agonized over decisions - who to date, which college, which guy, how many children. And the decisions I needed to make on my children's behalf were the hardest of all. How can I learn an easier way to make decisions?

Answer: Nowhere is it written that decisions are supposed to be easy. Every choice requires a combination of intellect, intuition, and gut instinct. And the more important the decision, the hard it seems. Why? Because perceived importance increases our fear of making the wrong choice and what that might mean. When choosing between two brands of cereal, I doubt you agonize, because you know that choosing the wrong cereal won't bring the sky crashing down. But will selecting the wrong college, or sweetheart, or job mean catastrophe? How can you know this? Faith reminds us that every decision we make can server our highest good and learning - that every choice leads to wisdom.

Ever wonder what would have happened if you had made difference choices in the past? - turned right instead of left, said yes instead of no? If you had made different choices some things might have turned out better - and others, maybe worse. As H.L. Mencken said, "We are here and it is now; all other knowledge is moonshine." You have chosen this life, this path, this moment. Are we here to make infallible decisions so that things always work out the way we hope or expect? Or is our life about learning, discovery and wisdom? We is a wrong decision, anyway? If you choose what's behind Door Number One instead of Door Number Two, and you go through a tough time - does that necessarily mean you made the wrong decision? Is the easier path always the best choice? These questions may be worth considering - not because they bring certainty, but because they point to mystery.

There are no wrong choices; only those we regret. Like the story about three teachers, sitting around a faculty lounge when an angle appears and says to the senor teacher, "You have dedicated your life to enriching the lives of countless young people and you deserve a wish fulfilled. Choose between great wealth, great wisdom, or great beauty."

"I choose great wisdom," responded the teacher, who began to glow with refined light as the angel disappeared.

The other two teachers spoke in unison: "Say something!" they asked.

Eyes shining with the light of expanded awareness, the teacher turned to them and pronounced, "I should have taken the money".

Shoulds aside, from a higher perspective, wrong decisions do not exist. Some choices lead up one path and some down another, but every road leads to lessons, and every lesson leads to wisdom. I can't give you any special techniques to make unerring decisions, whatever that might mean; I only remind you that whatever decision you make is perfect for you at the time. Your decisions also become part of the fabric of your children's lives, and others' as well - all a natural part of your schooling. Can you know for certain what is ultimately best? No, you cannot. So it seems a good operating principal to rely on mystery and live on faith that every choice leads to wisdom.