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Ideas For Living Newsletter

Things To Consider Today

Getting A Second Opinion For Important Decisions

Each of us are faced with many decisions in life. Some of these decisions are routine in nature and we make them entirely on our own. Other decisions, however, are important and we should do what we can to make sure we’re making the best choice possible.

Consider some of the decisions that are important to you. These could have a big impact on your life or on the life of your family members. Some typical illustrations are given below.

Work is important. Which job do you take and where will it lead you in terms of professional training, career advancement, and income? Do you want to be self-employed and if so, do you have the resources and abilities to do this successfully?

Family life plays a big role in our lives. What type of person do you seek as a husband or wife, and which variables are important in selecting such a person? If married, do you want children? How many and when will you have them?

If you’re going to buy a new car, what type will it be and which features will it offer? Is the price for it within your budget?

Another important decision is the home you purchase. There are many variables to consider with just this one decision. The location of the home usually determines the school attended by children in the family. It also affects the length of commute to your job. Then there are variables like the immediate neighborhood and its environment for your family. Location affects real estate appreciation. Proximity to stores and parks and to your church are also dictated by home location.

Many people have investments, not only for use during their working years, but as preparation for income during retirement. Which investments are right for you based on your income and age?

Taxes affect everyone and we all get involved in them every year, if not more often. It’s important that we understand them and how they affect us. We must either again this knowledge ourselves, or refer to others for help and assistance.

Last but not least, consider medical problems. If a serious problem develops, you want to know exactly what is wrong and what can be done, if anything, to solve the problem. This requires accurate information, usually consulting with someone trained in an area which deals with your problem, and then submitting for treatment in order to restore your health. In some cases, even this may not be enough and you may end up with permanent damage to your body, or perhaps lose your life.

In the types of decisions described above, different choices can be made based on the people involved and the circumstances in their lives. There is a lot of room for personal preferences. There will be different opinions between individuals in each of these areas. This leads to different reasons people give for doing things and thus their decisions will vary. This does not mean, however, that everyone will make equally good decisions in general, nor in any area.

All of us must be humble enough to admit that we make mistakes and often need the help of others to assist us. We face challenges that can overwhelm us and obstacles in our pathway which slow down our progress. There are difficult choices to make and complex problems to solve.

It is important to recognize when you do not have the information and skills in a specific area to make the best choice for yourself. You may lack education and training in this area. Perhaps you have listened to people who are not fully informed, and they have mislead you in some way. You may have a hard time distinguishing between all the opinions and facts. You may have prejudices or strong preferences in this area, which will influence how you make choices, and whether you end up with the best decision for yourself.

To really help yourself make good choices, turn to other people who are in a position to assist you. They should have the right type of knowledge, skills, and resources to help you with your immediate situation and the choices you face. It is preferable that such people know you personally, but this is not always possible. As a minimum, they should show a genuine concern to assist you. They should be honest and open in their communication and dealings with you. Seek counsel from these types of individuals. In this way you’re getting a second opinion, which should be seriously considered, as well as your own views, before making a final decision. Doing this will help you to make more right choices for the important decisions in life.

If you’re married, consult with your husband or wife on important matters. If you have family members you respect and trust, utilize them. If you know how to get answers to prayer, ask God for His help in making the right choice or decision.

There are also people qualified to help you who do not or will not have personal contact with you. Consider the Internet. You can find all types of valuable information for your specific concern. Seek reliable sources of information and individuals who know what they’re talking about. You can obtain information from specialists who know far more than you in any area. Another good example could be articles in magazines or other publications which deals directly with your concern or problem. Reading this information will provide you with ideas and possible alternatives to consider. Both the Internet and written information are alternative ways of getting a second opinion to help you make choices.

Getting second opinions is an important part of your effort. There are other things you should do too. As you work through the variables involved for your current situation and decision needed, clarify as many things as possible. What are your desires, needs, and resources? Besides yourself, who is affected by your decision? What are the potential outcomes for each choice, and how well can you and your family members live with them? How can the person(s) consulting with you help you arrive at a reasonable conclusion and end up making the best choice? Be clear and distinguish between what you expect of that individual or what he can do for you, and what you must do for yourself. Finally, even though others assist you, recognize that the final decision is up to you, and you must take responsibility for it.

Obviously, there are many outcomes for the decisions made in each area of our lives. We may not like all the outcomes, but we have to live with them anyway. Since this is a reality in life, why not let other people into our lives in a positive and constructive manner? Give them a chance to offer us a second opinion. Let them help us make more good choices and have outcomes that are more favorable. Will this not lead to a better life for us and those we influence?

As you make decisions in your life, I challenge you to not be impatient nor proud . Instead, allow others to assist you in making the best choices possible. Do not pass up this opportunity. It is good for you and for them.

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