Life's Little Decisions
Ok, this is a funny story – hmm, let me reframe that – I think it’s funny, but sometimes my humor dances in the outlier zone.
So, I recently sent a Magic 8 Ball to someone I know very well. They are in the middle of a kitchen renovation, and well, let’s just say they are so consumed by decision fatigue that there is now national betting on whether or not the kitchen will be finished by the end of the year.
The reason for the delay? The backsplash.
Should it be white, another neutral color, or something more dramatic? Two weeks ago, it was white. Then it moved to grey. There have been talks that maybe petrol blue might make more of a statement. But guess what? White has now taken the lead again. Hmm, seems like the US presidential polling.
Enter Rob, the coach and author, with a solution: the Magic 8 Ball. Yes, I may be a bit eccentric, but I write to express myself and have fun. I'm certainly not expecting a Pulitzer Prize anytime soon, and that's perfectly fine!
Now, those of you my age know how valuable it was to consult M8 over the arc of our childhood. Just give it a shake and let fate decide – unless you get the maledetto response: "Ask again later." For today’s generation, that response might bring up a whole other trauma response: having to wait – OMG, no instant gratification! Cr*p, my Amazon package is late – then the tailspin occurs. Oops, I have deviated.
Jokes aside, let’s get back to the big black ball. Here’s what I wanted to highlight: this person, like so many others, is consumed by decision fatigue and is choking on choices. Yet – and I am serious about this question because after my wife died, my perspective totally changed: does any of this really matter in the grand scheme of things? I know they can seem big, but step back to contemplate an even bigger picture. I mean, let’s face it – the perfect backsplash isn’t what’s going to bring us happiness. Life is short, and so are our kitchen trends.
We spend so much of our time and life energy worrying about little things – what I define as the little things – such as what color to paint the walls or whether to choose quartz or granite. You know what? That type of focus generates a very low return on our life’s energy. Sometimes, these “little things” tend to serve as nice distractions - but maybe there are bigger issues we need to address for personal fulfillment? This is what underlies intentional living: where to invest your energy. Thoughts?
Reflect: What will truly matter to you when you look back on your life? If the backsplash is not one of those things, set a limit for making your decision. Use the Magic 8 Ball, or cut up some color swatches, put them in a hat, and have your child/friend/etc. pick one out – that will be your decision. The backsplash will then remind you of the fun you had with your son or daughter/friend/etc., rather than representing a “perfect” choice for something that won’t hold significance in the end.
Remember, in the end, we all end up in the same place. I’m not sure that, as we pass over, we will care about the backsplash.
My suggestion: just grab a Magic 8 Ball and remember that impermanence is the name of the game. Whether your cabinets are navy blue or avocado green, it’s all fleeting – just like life itself. Now, excuse me while I consult my Magic 8 Ball about buying Bitcoin at this level. Daddy needs a new sweater – I did not expect Puglia to be this cold!
Thanks for reading!
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www.robertpardi.com