Hesitation

Hesitation is probably one of the more interesting considerations for me. As a martial artist and teacher, it is the first place I examine when discussing the outcome of any event with an individual or audience. In life, the colloquial statement of " opportunity knocks only once" applies to so many situations.

Some examples of decisive moments can be simple. The decision to pursue a new job or stay with the current one. The decision to return to school or obtain new training or education. Should I take out a loan, invest in a stock, etc. are all examples or opportunity. Sometimes, as discussed in the previous posts, a decision may not necessarily need to be immediate. Yet, a decision must be made at some point. Otherwise, the opportunity passes, and a decision of inaction is made.

Hesitation, in my opinion, is when an individual elects inaction as a choice. Some people may view it as not making a decision. I simply say that choosing to not to act is still choosing an action, even if that action is inaction.

Sometimes, maybe the best choice is not to choose. But, I think it is important to realize in a situation that an individual always has an opportunity to make a choice. No matter how large or minute, on some level, everyone has an effect on circumstance.

Understanding that hesitation is a choice, it yields a voice to all. If our hesitation is a final choice or preliminary one, we still have to be aware of the power that choice has over reality. Too often, I believe that people may hesitate due to fear that choosing something will upset some unseen balance without realizing that hesitation is still making a choice.

And to clarify, I am not vilifying hesitation. I think it is important. I think it is rooted in patience and tempered mostly by conscious consideration for outcome. I am just drawing attention to its impact as a choice.

So, how does this apply to those reading. I challenge everyone to consider that every choice is impactful. It is rooting a divinely given right to "free will." Choice is never absent and always available.

In good times or bad, choices have effect. By hesitating to act in anger, you may show a moment of mercy to someone who has offended you which may in turn lead to peaceful resolution. By waiting, more information may come about to help an individual make a more informed decision. Sometimes, that perception that one is "doing nothing" by pausing is really just observing a situation more closely before a final decision is made.

My caution to the reader simply circles back to the idea that choices are usually fluctuating and never static. If you elect to hesitate, that specific moment passes. The decision may remain the same, vary slightly or even disappear. It is a sign of maturity and experience to develop a keen awareness of opportunity.

We all have them. We all work on them. We all make good decisions or bad decisions. Opportunities come and go, and then come again. It is good to note that by this paradigm, opportunity always exists. If opportunity always exists, then failure and success are not static. Change can occur. If an individual is unsatisfied with a situation, since things change, those situations can be changed.

It is powerful to think that no bad thing lasts forever here. And it is humbling to realize that success is not guaranteed but only guarded by diligence.

Last, a martial arts proverb from its infancy has always been to strike when an opportunity appears or manifests. Striking is about timing. If a martial artist strikes too early, an opponent may evade or block. Power and strength may not be enough to overcome an aggressor but proper timing can fell a giant. Look at the Biblical story of David. On small stone in the right place at the right time took down one of the most frighteningly accounted figures in history where previous armed assaults had failed.

The M.A.D. Dad