Sunday, October 30, 2011

Emotional Decisions


"Never make a decision while the reckless
steeds of emotion are thundering in all directions."
- Joseph Panek

There are times in our lives when we experience stressful, chaotic,
or fearful situations; times when we feel completely out of control
in our environment; times when we feel compelled to make an
immediate decision, promise, commitment, or compromise; times
when we are tempted to cast blame for our discomforting
situation upon someone else.

And although we may Think that immediate and quick decisions
are necessary to calm our racing minds at these times, the
opposite is most often True.

At times like these, when we are still under the Stress of the
moment, our emotions are disturbed and our thinking is clouded
due to the anxiety of whatever it is that is upsetting us. These
are the worst times for us to make a quick decision, promise,
commitment, or compromise. It is also the most inappropriate
time for us to "point fingers" and place blame.

When faced with any emotionally distressing or confusing situation,
the safest action we can normally take is to calm our minds and let
the situation play itself out. This enables us to put a little distance
between the us and the event that is upsetting us; thereby allowing
more information to come forth while, at the same time, allowing
our mind to become more settled.

This combination of distance and additional information is what
enables us to properly analyze the traumatic Event and make the
most appropriate and rational decision. For it is impossible to
clearly understand a stressful or chaotic situation clearly while we
are still under its spell. By allowing a certain period of Time to pass,
our emotions calm down, we are able to evaluate the situation with
clarity, and we prevent ourselves from saying or doing something
which we may later regret

In addition, we may also experience instances in our lives when we
have a severe emotional disagreement with another person and our
first impulse is to "rush in" and "make things right" with this
individual. This kind of emotional volatility falls into the same
category as any other emotionally stressful situation. For these are
the times when all individuals involved are emotionally distraught
and least able to make sound, rational, beneficial, and sincere
decisions.

When we find ourselves involved in stressful situations such as
these, it is very important to let an appropriate amount of time pass
before Words are spoken. Otherwise, every person who is involved
in this process may very well regret the words spoken, the Actions
taken, and the injuries inflicted which can never be healed or
reversed.

To take Action while under stress, or in a state of high-emotion,
causes us to make Decisions, statements, Promises, and
Compromises that we may not only regret but cannot be taken back.

Once an Action is done, it cannot be undone. Once we say
something hurtful to another person, we cannot take these words
back. Although we can apologize, an apology does not cure the
harm which has been inflicted. For the pain of our words will
always remain and our Relationship with that person will never be
the same.

The same goes for making commitments, compromises, and
promises while still under the influence of emotional stress.

Because our emotions are clouded and confused when we find
ourselves in emotionally stressful situations, anything we either
say or commit to while under the influences of these conditions
generally ends up being either broken, rescinded, or ignored;
resulting in behaviors that neither we, nor any of the other persons
who are involved, will ever be able to forget or fully Forgive.

Comments and Emails: I welcome comments and emails from
people with similar thoughts and feelings. My email address is
located in the upper-left area of this page. Comments can be
posted by using the "Comment" link located below each article.
Also: If you found value in this article please feel free to forward
it to other like-minded individuals, organizations and sites.

Disclaimer: None of my articles should be considered to be
either advice or expertise. They are simply personal opinions
and no more. Everyone is encouraged to seek competent
advice from a licensed, registered, or certified professional
should such advice or service be required.

© copyright Joseph Panek 2011
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