I believe everyone, at all times, makes the decisions that benefit them the most at that moment. That is not to say that every decision is a good one in the long run -- or that we are immune from the consequences of our choices. But whether the decision is to steal something because we have no money but really need that next hit of drugs, or choosing to commit to a new romantic interest, or deciding to pursue our passion rather than a more lucrative line of work, each decision reflects what we want most at that moment regardless of the consequences (which we may even know at that time are not beneficial).
Every day is full of decisions. When do I choose to wake up? Do I have a nutritious breakfast or go for the Honey-Frosted Sugar Bombs? Do I let thoughts of how much I dislike my job poison my day right away? Do I say something kind to a coworker, not knowing (s)he really needs some positive feedback? Thousands of decisions, all of them an expression of who we believe ourselves to be.
Any of us can start making different decisions, from now on. Choose to express who you are in your decisions right away. Eat lunch more happily knowing you are eating foods which improve your health. Do something nice for your SO because you value that she is in your life. Draw more pictures because that makes you happy and expresses a creative side of you that doesn't (or can't) show up at work or in other activities.
Though the consequences of earlier decisions may take time to change, you're not mired in a situation and how you feel about it. You can move away from it. It's your life. Take it back.
Success is to be measured not so much by the position that one has reached in life as by the obstacles which he has overcome. - Booker T. Washington
I don't even believe we make bad decisions just because we choose to make decisions that are good in the short term and bad in the long run (well the human race collectively maybe ... and anyone lost in addiction .. and maybe most of us sometimes with some things). But I think more often we have flawed understanding of things, usually think we know more than we do, get lost in false and blind certainties etc.. It's mostly that the human mind is a bad decision making device PERIOD. But what else have we got? (uh AI isn't making our life decisions right?).
As for fear the whole idea that we should be fearless is itself a pretty crazy and extreme dictate. There is plenty in life to fear. Now when fear gets outright irrational and out of hand that is usually the realm of phobias and therapy, but many of our fears are plenty rational (although we won't escape death, no matter how much we fear it, but most are in no hurry to bring it on for instance).
Trees don't grow on money
Another issue that makes life directions complicated today is that we have infinitely more choices than in the past. On some days, I'm not sure that is a good thing. Not for me anyway who is easily overwhelmed by choice. Also, we are so overexposed to how other people lead their lives, that it can be hard to parse out our own reality. Envy and comparisons pop up. I sometimes wish I could float above myself and peer down objectively at the life I am living. Does it make sense? Are my fears founded? Am I enjoying my time?
I stand by my view of the universe. Yes, our understandings of things often are flawed. What's the old Maya Angelou line? "I did then what I knew how to do. Now that I know better, I do better." So you keep making decisions. You still always will make the decision that you feel is best according to what you know and how you feel at the time. When more information or additional perspective comes along, you get to address the decision again, based on what you know and how you feel. Maybe the answer is the same; maybe it's not. Maybe the consequences can be mitigated; maybe they cannot.
Saying the human mind is a "bad decision making device" implies that there is at least one "good decision making device" out there. If there isn't one, then is the mind truly a "bad" device? There's no frame of reference. There is no "cold" unless there's "hot". Maybe this is as good as decision-making ever gets.
Success is to be measured not so much by the position that one has reached in life as by the obstacles which he has overcome. - Booker T. Washington
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