Tuesday, August 9, 2011

Think!

"Think. Think. Think. Think it over, think it under."A.A.Milne

I used to be impulsive....jumping into things without giving them a second thought. Something would pop into my head or someone would suggest something.....and wham...I'd run with it. And....once in....I usually back-peddled to get out.  

Possible consequences? Pros and cons? Those  things never dawned on me. I jumped in with both feet.....not worrying about any outcome.....good or bad.

Some people told me I was spontaneous.....doing things on a whim....others said.....I was impulsive.....following my emotions.....not being cautious or  rational. I think the later was more right.....b/c I ended up in risky situations....and painful relationships. 

I learned the hard way.....to stop.....and think. Think it over. Think it under. Check things out from every angle before doing something. And I had to figure who I was....what I wanted....what I needed.....the things that were important to me. I never knew any of that. I was so used to looking outside myself for answers - It wasn't until I started looking inside that I figured out it's okay to take time.....to wait on something....to think it out...think it through.... 

I still sometimes run head first into stuff.....but less often. Now....I usually take a long time to figure out if something is good or not. It might be good for somebody else....it might even sound awesome...exciting....fun....but it might be all wrong for me. Sometimes....someone tries to pressure me into doing something...but after my emotions shout...Yes I'm in!.....something inside clicks on and screams WAIT.....THINK.....check it out.... 

Most times now...I make decisions by talking it out...thinking it over..looking at all sides of whether or not I even want to do it. Think. Think. Think. Think it over.....think it under.

19 comments:

Finding Pam said...

Sarah, I see a lot of myself in this post today. Thankfully through counseling I have also learned to "Think".

How long did it take you to get so healthy? Your are an inspiration to all that read your blog.

Thank you for sharing with us.

Love ya. Pamv

Anonymous said...

I think thinking things through (how's that for alliteration?) is wise at some times, but I also think it's important to take risks and be spontaneous every once in a while. Balance is everything.

Wishing you well,
NOS

Lily said...

Something my t said to me that I have found so vital in my decision making is:

"Make your decisions based on faith, not fear."

Sometimes things don't need a lot of time before reacting, sometimes they do. The important thing is that you are doing what is right for you!

Chatty Crone said...

You know the Serenity Prayer - that is what I feel like you are saying - and sometimes we do need to be spontaneous and sometimes we need to hold back - but we need the wisdom to know the difference! Right?

Crown of Beauty said...

Count the cost, wait on the Lord, ask Him to give confirmation and peace... yes, those are God's ways of leading His children.

What a great difference your life has made upon the kingdom of darkness. If you had remained impulsive with your decisions, you probably would not have received the tremendous healing that you now have...

Because you learned to wait, and give God time to speak to you before you act...

Precious lessons you are giving us, dear Nikki.

Much love
Lidj

Wanda's Wings said...

Great wisdom in this post,

Sharon said...

I tend to be a thinker - to view things from all angles. Analytical, pondering me. Now, often that is a good thing, as you pointed out - but sometimes God has to push me into MOVING!

Taking the time to think gives God the chance to speak to us about something. But when He does speak, we need to act on that!

GOD BLESS!

RCUBEs said...

I'm tired "to even think" lately about what I'm going through at work. But I'm glad that the Lord is showing me that through these tough times, when we are vulnerable to make wrong decisions because of what our minds and hearts have, it helps when we fill both with His Word. That's the only way to choose wisely. I don't know where my mind would be if I didn't have Him in my life. God bless you sister.

Kelly L said...

I am very much the do before I think it out kind of person - and yes - many times I tried to back out- my daughter is much like that too - it can be scary at times.. Now that I am older and I hope wiser - I try to think it out more often... Great post
I've Become My Mother

Denise said...

You are a very wise woman, love you.

Suzie Q said...

A powerful post... funny how thinking can be both overated and underated. I think you have to take it from the source, and as one commentor said faith not fear. Love your blog!

Peggy said...

A very wise post. It's usually always good to stop & think things through. I've learned to do that, too. I didn't used to & it usually ended up bad.

A Plain Observer said...

it takes time and lots of mistakes to get there

Of One Heart said...

Hmm. Thinking is a lesson I'm learning, too. I think I needed this post to stop me in my tracks- just for today at least. :)

Lots of love to you, Nikki!

xoxo

Anonymous said...

That is one of the many things I admire about my husband, he always thinks things thru. He thinks before he speaks, he thinks before he buys,Im not one to think thru like him.

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Joanne said...

This is a great post. As I get older I tend to "think" myself out of everything. I miss the more adventurous me so I am trying to get some of her back!
Blessings, Joanne

Tracie Nall said...

The thinking is so important. There have been so many times when I've thought that something sounded good, awesome, exciting, fun....but it was WRONG! And if I had just paused, and thought for a few minutes, I could have saved myself a lot of heartbreak.

Thank you for this reminder.

Anonymous said...

Sometimes I do that too - making decisions without thinking them through in their entirety. Then at other times, I become a "statue," for I am too uncertain of making a decision. So, I am at two extremes sometimes. It can be quite maddening!

So, to decrease my madness, I shall try to remember your lovely advice, "Think. Think. Think. Think it over.....think it under." :)

~Madame Wildflower