One Decision Can Change the Course of Your Life

 

In life it is so important to make correct decisions and to follow through with proper actions.  This is one of the keys to leading a life of success or failure. One decision can change the entire course of your life.  So, how does one make correct decisions?

We often think in terms of black and white. Lying is bad. Telling the truth is good. This is one way we approach decision making. Sometimes we do what we feel like in the moment.

We all know that for important decisions there is generally a middle ground; however, how we reach that middle ground is often undefined, and most of us are not even aware of the process we are using to get there.

So how do we lead from a position of strength and confidence in our own ability when confronted with a decision that needs to be made?

One principle of East Asian philosophy asserts that correct decisions are reached by balancing 3 aspects:  True, Right & Correct. These 3 parts are most clearly expressed as a triangle of relationships; this triangle creates a powerful 3-part system for making correct decisions in your daily life.

This 3-part system can be understood as a moral compass; a moral compass that has been handed down over the centuries to help people make correct decisions for daily living. This compass is not one that is held in the hand, but instead it is located within every living person.  This compass is based on correct thinking and correct judgment. To know your true self is to become fully aware of this compass and how to use it in order to increase the wellbeing of yourself, your family and those around you, and to achieve peace and ultimate freedom in life.

Ultimately, this system is a tool that can be applied to any situation where we have to make decisions. The more we use it, the better we become at using the tool, and the better we become at making the right decisions that will benefit our lives and the lives of those around us.

Naturally, the next question would be: What are true, right and correct? 

 

TRUE

Your inner state at any given time; how you truly feel about something. The “True” largely determines what you choose to do or your actions in response to circumstances at hand. The “True” leads to one or more possible actions in response to the situation at hand. 

However, which of these possible actions is the right thing to do?

 

RIGHT

Doing the most good for everyone involved.

 

CORRECT CHOICE

The choice of action that will do the most good for everyone involved given the circumstances at hand. This is the key to balance and harmony in life.  This is the goal – do what is what is CORRECT in all aspects of daily living: personal, relationships, community, professional, and spiritual.

 

This 3-part system can be applied to any situation in your life. For example, if you are feeling tired in the morning it may be TRUE that you do not want to go to work, however, according to what is RIGHT you should show up to work because your boss expects you to; in the end, the CORRECT choice would be to go to work in order to follow through with your responsibility to take care of and provide for your family.

Those who do not know their true self do not know the difference between true, right and correct. The goal is to balance what is true in the moment and what is right in a given situation in order to make the correct decision.

Knowing your true self, enables you to know your true feelings and to know what is true for you in a given situation.  You will also know what is right and what is “not right” for you, your family and for those around you. By seeking to balance what is true and what is right you will see more clearly the correct choices for your daily actions, which will ultimately lead to a life of happiness, peace and fulfillment.