Life Guidance Series Part 18: Making Good Decisions Part 3–The Highest Possible Option
Here is my favorite formulation for making excellent decisions:
“What is my Highest Possible Option in this moment?”
This question to Self is a powerful and effective tool. It brings forward the most important elements of a decision without supporting side tracks. Practiced correctly, it supports practical idealism but not fantasy.
The Highest Possible Option is a superlative tool in any kind of guidance. (Again, I am using the small “g” for day-to-day guidance and the “G” for Guidance via intuitive transmission.) Consistently going for the HPO trains us to focus of what is truly important,and on the next step to take for our lives to move forward with grace.
Aiming for the HPO clarifies direction and increases motivation. It forms a flexible and realizable ideal. The question invites ethical, well-considered responses.
Going for the HPO is a spiritual upgrade on the concept or motive of operating in your own best interests. Since we are all in this soup together, our own highest option includes the wellbeing of others–without selling ourselves out. Creativity is part of the equation.
Let’s look more closely at the formulation:
What is the difference between the Highest Option and the Highest Possible Option? The word “possible” helps us set aside pipe dreams, speculations, and things that we are not really up for.
The clause “in this moment” keeps us from being stuck or from giving up on things that may be possible at another time. It supports being Present and open in real time. This clause makes the HPO applicable in every life circumstance.
“Possible” and “in this moment” together limit the field to select what we are actually able and willing to do next. This brings us to bear upon our actual resources and what we feel we can do. Being centered in what we can actually do invites compassion for ourselves. This balances the idealism inherent in The Highest Possible Option.
The HPO is not about perfectionism. It is not about doing something “right”. It’s about sensing and selecting the working solution for this particular moment. Here is a link to a Post of Perfectionism. {link to}
Operational hint: fueling self-judgment is never your Highest Option.
Going for the HPO suggests and supports approaching your ideal–but only as closely as you are actually able to act on in the moment.
The HPO is always compassionate. Compassion allows up to be in touch with strengths and weaknesses without killing ourselves off pursuing intellectualized ideals.
Developing the HPO is an art that helps us to adapt to each specific situation with compassion. Bringing forth our most skillful responses to the moment can be a delight and an expression rather than a sterile demand on ourselves for improvement or a passive reaction.
Applying the HPO removes grounds for remorse. You know you have genuinely done your best without pressuring yourself unless there is a real, short-term necessity.
Spiritual poise and personal grace develop as we feel, sense, and intuit the implications of our actions. We begin to respond to events from our spiritual sensibilities rather than momentary desires, sterile practicality, assumptions, and reactions. Intentional living brings deeper satisfaction and a greater experience of meaning.
Accessing Guidance to act with grace brings totally different results than basing decisions and actions on “shoulds.” “Shoulds” block creative expression, compassion, spiritual exploration, and other experiences that feed the soul.
If you tend to get into “shoulds” work with: “What is the most compassionate thing I can do for myself in this moment?” instead of the HPO. Doing what is most compassionate for yourself in a given moment is similar to going for the HPO. Both include becoming aware of options and values, being Present, and acting with intention.
Determining the HPO is not simply a rational process. Pitting pros against cons can mire us in deliberation without particular spiritual or emotional importance. Heart or intuition may already know what is best. The more we direct our lives from intuition the less pros and cons come into play.
Make HPO a consistent habit. It becomes a rudder that stabilizes and integrates your values into your daily decisions.
Consistent practice going for the HPO develops clarity, integrity, peace, and a gift for giving and receiving effective Guidance.
What makes a decision stick for you?
How much do you trust your decisions?
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