Virtual Discernment Retreat |
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Parker Palmer, Let Your Life Speak
First, you never want to make an important life-decision in a hurry. The more important the choice, the more time needed. Secondly, use your head. Look for information, weigh advantages and disadvantages, and try to see their consequences. Consult friends, family and experts. After all this you will have reached a reasonable decision. Thirdly, pay attention to your heart. Don't be turned off by "heart." This has nothing to do with mushiness. Rather, it means your capacity to be touched or moved -- affected by someone or something. The heart's wisdom is revealed to you through the slow and steady or sudden and surprising feelings of desire, attraction, distaste, or resistance. It is vital that you screen with your heart what you discover with our head. Whether others agree or not, ultimately you need to choose according to the wisdom of your head and heart. Meghan's Story My niece Meghan has always been a go-getter. Throughout elementary and high school she was an all around high-achieving student, excelling particularly in math and science. When it was time for college she decided to study premed. This was a sound and well thought-out choice for her. In college at the However, a funny thing happened. She discovered a passion for art history. In those classes she felt energized and alive. She looked forward to them, where the science classes no longer held her interest. Her art history professors recognized her intuitive ability to grasp the principles of art. Of course, she now faced a serious dilemma: continue with pre-med, the more prestigious and potentially more lucrative career, or choose other values by switching to art history. She used her head, weighing the pros and cons, talking with family, professors and friends, but in the end she realized she wouldn't be as fulfilled in the scientific world as she would be in the art world. She had to follow her passion. Many thought that studying art history was impractical, but she knew it was the right choice for her. Now, after months of stressing about being accepted to graduate school, Meghan has been further confirmed in her decision by acceptance to the Courtauld Art History Program in One aid in making good decisions in the present is to look back on good and poor choices in the past. Take a few moments to think about decisions you made in the past. What have you learned through them?
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Practical tools for good decision-making
