“Is the life you’re living the same life that wants to live in you? Before you tell your life what you want to do with it, listen for what it intends to do with you.”- Parker J. Palmer, Let Your Life Speak
In Chapter 9 (“Make the Most Important List”) of The Next Right Thing, Emily P. Freeman contends that lists tend to measure on externals. While important, externals fail to function as the biggest determiner when making decisions. At least, Emily observes, not on the simple, soulful path we’re on.
Of course, one of the most common decision-making lists in the pro/con list. And, the author adds, some good things do emerge from a pro/con list. For example, when you write things down in methodical fashion it tends to clear your mind. As a result, making a pro/con list helps you make sense of something you might otherwise have problems deciphering. However, Emily asserts, such a list has two major faults:
- It assumes every line item carries equal weight. But, we all know they don’t.
- We tend to make pro/con lists only when we feel desperate – under the pressure of a deadline.
Therefore, Emily describes the most important list to make:
“The most important list to make is one that helps us to intentionally discern our yes and our no before the time comes to make the decision in the first place. I call the most important list the Life Energy List. . . . This list is preemptive, not reactive. It won’t eliminate your need to decide things when decisions come your way, but it could serve as a helpful filter for future decisions. . . . This is a gift to your future self, an alternative to the pro/con list.”
Finally, Emily states, look back at the season you just experienced and ask yourself two questions:
- What was life-draining?
- What was life-giving?
Today’s question: Do you believe the life you’re living is the same life that wants to live in you? Please share.
Tomorrow’s blog: “Life-draining or life-giving?”
