Life is not simple and we are often faced with challenging decisions. Do you take the easy path or the difficult one? Do you make courageous decisions or safe ones? Do you make decisions that build your character or corrupt it?
I am by nature a shy person and this has often led me to make safe decisions. I don't approach strangers and strike up a conversation. I don't go up to authors after a speech and introduce myself. I have, though, made a choice in the work place to overcome my shyness. I will approach strangers and introduce myself as part of my job.
My wife, on the other hand, has never met a stranger. She will strike up a conversation any place, any time, with people she does not know. We attended an art fair recently and she spent time talking with artists, engaging them in conversation while I stood by listening and wishing I had that kind of courage.
I also will seek out the easy path, avoiding where possible the dangerous or difficult ones. When driving a car and needing to turn left across a busy street without a stoplight, I choose to turn right and find a driveway or parking lot I can turn around in.
And I often don't make the tough decisions when I disagree with a person. I will choose not to state my opinion if it will cause friction with someone in a position of authority.
So what impact do these choices have on my character? How have they helped to create the person I have become? I sometimes think of myself as lacking courage — of lacking a willingness to standup and be counted for something I believe in. I keep my beliefs to myself and do not stir the waters.
What about you? How have your choices created the person you are? Have you been able to make the courageous decisions?
