I Fell off the Fence and Never Hit the Ground
Falling off of a fence usually ends with an impact. When I was 9 my nickname was Monkey.
Climbing trees and rooflines going from yard to yard to go visit my friends took climbing the chain-link fences and jumping to the ground below.
One morning, as I launched from the top of a fence line the belt loop of my jean shorts got caught, leaving me dangling head first, arms holding onto the fence in front of my face and my legs swaying alongside. An awkward moment indeed.
Luckily my father heard my yells and came, lifted me off the fence, and freed my tearing shorts, saving me from rising feelings of embarrassment and panic.
Being on the fence in our lives never feels good.
Life is a series of decisions made. The big decisions that will prove to be pivotal in the direction of our lives can bring the most pause and the greatest levels of uncertainty.
Do I do this… or that?
Do I wait longer and hope or just get it over with?
Will it all work out?
The big decisions we make along the journey of our lives;
• where we choose to live,
• who we marry,
• where we go to school,
• what we do for work and
• where we choose to build a career/business,
• whether to raise a family or even
• who to have as long term friends,
will be the design of our lives and our sense of self.
It’s natural to stop, pause and feel as though we need more time, input, and certainty before we take our next courageous leaps.
And sometimes, life can feel like it comes to a stop until something, like Dad lifting me off the fence, comes and LIFTS/PUSHES us in the right direction.
If you are in one of those “What the heck do I do” places in your life asking better questions can provide the new perspectives to help make a clear decision.
When I make the decision to _______ what good will come from it for myself and others?
How will I grow through this process?
How will this decision help me develop courage and self-trust?
PERSPECTIVE IS EVERYTHING
When making hard decisions, our minds can have thoughts that sound like - “I have to do this” or “I should” both of which feel disempowering.
Holding the perspective that, “I get to”, “I choose to” and “I must” shifts the perspective from powerless to powerful.
TAP INTO YOUR INTUITION
For me, the biggest life lesson in all my moments of indecision has been to “trust my gut”.
We usually DO know what to do we just have not yet summoned the courage to do it - right?
Trusting ourselves, and listening to our intuition are some of the biggest growth leaps we can make.
Intuition can speak to us in an instant and it can also require time away, in silence for us to hear it.
So… here’s a step-by-step process to help make decisions:
1. Make a list of the big decisions you want to make
2. Commit to not overcomplicating it and allowing your intuition to lead the way
3. Use the “Getting off the fence” worksheet attached
4. Summon the courage to take action
5. Take one action ( on your own ) toward your result and
6. Celebrate your progress
Each baby step leads to overall progress.
Wherever you are in your life and the decisions that lie ahead for you, know that you are divinely resourced. The only failure is staying stuck.
I believe in you!
Coach Tina Marie