We think of a crossroads as two paths that start where you are and go to an undefined future. Usually when we consider a crossroad we are nervous that if we choose the wrong path life as we know it is forever changed….for the worse.
This leads to fear, anxiety, and a sense of despair that we will choose wrong.
I was reading about a similar concept on one of my favorite blogs www.theminimalists.com. They contend that their are actually 4 paths or four possible decisions with different results.
- the right path/decision
- the wrong path/decision
- two equally good paths/decisions
or, the worst option of all
- no path/decision
They describe no decision as:
No path. Paradoxically, when we are faced with two unknown paths—left and right—we often freeze with indecision, stuck in our own decision-making paralysis. This is the worst option of all. Not deciding is always a bad decision.
I agree with their sentiment completely. No path keeps you stuck. And as I have written about before here. Stuck is by definition an uncomfortable place. When we stay stuck, we not only stay uncomfortable, we aren’t learning anything new. At least going down a path that isn’t the right path keeps us moving and learning.
When I was at a crossroads trying to decide on going back to school to become a counselor or continuing in my business career, I was afraid to make a mistake so I took another job in business. It was the wrong decision for me, but I learned from it.
I learned that:
- I didn’t like the restaurant industry
- I was completely burned out and needed a rest and a change
- having a bunch of stuff and money wasn’t as important as my family and my health
- sometimes we have to step out in faith and trust God when we are going down an unknown path
It was a tough two year journey to get back to the path God had planned for me, but I met some amazing people, learned a bunch about myself, and grew closer to God.
If you are at a crossroads, it is important to decide.
The Minimalists say it well:
In these instances it is most important to simply pick either path, using all available relevant information, and keep moving forward. Even if we pick the wrong path, we grow from the failure.
If you are at a crossroads and are not sure which path to take, call us and we can help. Sometimes you just need an objective person to pass the options by and gain the clarity you need to move forward.
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