Discernment

Every day each of us make loads of decisions, some consciously, some subconsciously. From the time you awaken, you decide what to wear, what to eat for breakfast, what to pack for lunch, and perhaps even the attitude you’ll adopt for the day. Some decisions will have little or no consequence on your life, but occasionally a decision will need to be made that may have a lasting effect.

This is where discernment plays a role. Some decisions are complex, and their consequences are greater than the normal day to day decision making around tasks and activities.

You may need to draw on your inner wisdom, or in some cases, outside sources such a friends or experts, and even prayer. You need to slow right down and reflect on the decision that needs to be made. Being discerning means to consider a different perspective on the situation and the prospective outcome.

Recently a friend had a difficult decision to make. He lives in the Caribbean and opened himself up to looking at alternative employment. With it came a few opportunities – he could return to a previous position; or move off the mainland on to an island to start another position; or return to an African country where he’s lived a couple of times before. To make things a tad more complicated, his current employer made a counter-offer for him to stay when he tendered his resignation.

What to do? He asked for my insight on the opportunities and I shared the insights from a reading I did for him. It isn’t ethical to make a decision on behalf of someone else in a reading, but to rather share what comes up around each situation. This, however, still left him in a dilemma. Which offer should he pursue?

I encouraged him to wait for a “defining moment”.

When a decision needs to be made that isn’t very clear to ourselves, and even our gut isn’t leading us down a clear path, then we definitely need a nudge. A defining moment is a nudge from the universe.

If we follow our heart and it clearly sings at the thought of one of the opportunities presented, then it’s not difficult. That’s the path to follow. But ah! That period of time between weighing up the pros and cons and making the ultimate decision can be somewhat frustrating, not to mention confusing.

Many believe that everything we see is a sign from the universe. However, we may find that we’re being blown about like a blade of grass in the wind. The universe does have a way to confirm things and will confirm the same answer at least 3 times when we ask for help. However, you need to ask for help in order to receive it!

To make the right discernment, practice reflection and gather perspectives by considering different viewpoints and learning from past experiences. Improve your skills by staying informed, practicing empathy and mindfulness, asking questions, and seeking feedback. For those who are religious, this includes prayer, reading scripture, and seeking Godly counsel.

In order to make a responsible choice, ask yourself the following for each choice you are considering:

• What will this produce?
• Do I really want to create that?
• Am I ready to accept all of the consequences of this choice?
• Does this take me down the path I dream of, or does it take me further away from it?

Project yourself into the probable future that will unfold with each choice being considered. Do this not with the energy of intention, but simply to test the water, to get the feel for what you are considering creating. See how you feel.

Ask yourself, “Is this what I really want?” and then decide. When you take the consequences of your choice into your decision, and when you choose to remain conscious, that is a responsible choice.

As for my friend, his defining moment came a week later. He had accepted the position in Africa and his mind was set to move back to this continent. Then early one morning a telephone call from his “new” employer left him feeling uncomfortable. He told his wife that he felt they were making a mistake moving back to Africa and wished he could have another chance with the job closer to “home”. He and his wife were still mulling this over, when a message came through from the owner of the island resort who said he was so sorry that my friend hadn’t accepted his offer as he was sure he would’ve been really happy there. Within a few minutes arrangements were made to revisit the island resort the same day, and by that afternoon all plans changed. The position in Africa was “no more” and the island resort will become their home from the end of this month.

When I heard the news, the lightness in my friend’s tone was so uplifting as he conveyed the news. I think the sun actually shone brighter on this side of the world from their gleaming smiles!

Do you need to make a difficult decision? Listen to what is on offer. Detach from the situation. Take a step back. Breathe. Ask the universe and the angels for help. Then wait patiently. Whether you receive a jolt in your heart intuitively, or whether you receive repetitive signs, or a defining moment, all are messages from the Divine. Remain open to receive daily guidance from the universe in all things which helps your intuition grow. You eventually feel the change before it physically happens … and that’s an exciting world to live in.