Make Good Choices

"Make good choices" is something I hear myself quoting on a regular basis to my eldest Precious" (or in fact to anyone who cares to listen). 

At 6 years going on 7, he is becoming more aware of his actions, their consequences and his power and ability in making choices.  Not only is this "make good choices" thing an excellent learning opportunity, and skill for life, it just so happens to be an excellent bargaining tool! 

On a day when stress levels are high and harmony is low, when two brothers choose to quibble and quarrel over anything and everything, and a potential play date is looming....

I hear myself calling out the reminder ... "make good choices Precious", "if you want to play with your friend this afternoon, you need to show me you can first be a kind friend to your brother", and just like that, the atmosphere changes.... hugs all round, best friends forever. 

As I carry on my 'duties' and hear teasing, taunting and tension rising, a quick reminder from the kitchen deems fitting.... "Are you making good choices"???   3 x over I am a stuck record, "I hope you are making good choices"!

Just how much mileage can I get from this without having to leave my kitchen post in order to investigate the happenings in the trenches? 

It's at this point Special pipes up in an antaganistic manner "um was that a good choice Precious"?, uh oh it's gone too far, war has broken out and the battle is underway.  I quickly change tactics and move from preventative to a reconciliation strategy.

As I attend to the war wounds and begin to counsel two unhappy soldiers, I ask myself "did I in fact make a good choice in that moment"? and it got me thinking am I making good choices in general.

A quick scan through a typical day in the life with The Mob revealed to me just how many decisions and choices need to be made by me, The Imperfect One on a daily basis. 

Choices in regards to parenting, my health and well being, relationships and personal development, my spirituality, the contribution I make, financial decisions... the list goes on and on.

But what was more daunting was the consequences of these choices and the impact, be it big or small on each one of us.  As the weight of this responsibility began to settle on me and the perfectionist tendencies started to rise, I read this from Aristotle "Good decisions come from experience, and experience comes from bad decisions.” 

I liked it, it kind of let me off the hook, eased the burden and striving of having to make good or perfect choices.  The reality is, sometimes we have to make a call and do the best we can in the moment, knowing that we could in fact be making a mistake (or gaining experience as Aristotle suggests).

So this whole "gain experience" thing could be my next big craze.

Although, shouting out "gain some good experience" from the other end of the house just doesn't have the same ring to it!

How is your decision making lately, good, bad or otherwise?