Caution - It Can Be Productive To Step Back Before Making Our Decisions

The use of caution has its place in life and in the making of our decisions.

It gives us time to think and consider our options and move ahead in our chosen direction.

Providing we are alert and take heed of changing circumstances, some of which may required more urgent and concerted action, then this cautious approach to life can be prudent, careful and be productive.

But at times we can question ourselves and whether we are being too cautious. Are we missing out by not adopting a more full on approach that seems to be successful for other people we know.

While it is good to have these periodic reassessments we also need to go easy on ourselves.

• We need to take care of ourselves, for who else will?
• We need to use discretion in how we handle our affairs.
• We need to use discrimination in deciding when to use our efforts, and how urgent we should be when we do act.
• Some alertness is always good in helping our cause.

But we can overdo it, can't we?

• We can take circumspection too far.
• We can be too watchful and not act in time or at all.
• Our belt and braces approach is fine in some circumstances but will not be productive all the time.
• Being too careful may just lead us to missing opportunities, and good ones at that.

At times we can question and wonder about our approach to life itself.

Are we doing all we can and in the right way? Could we more productive or successful if we changed our slant, changed our approach, changed something . . . ?

At times like these words can be very powerful - healing, soothing, comforting, relaxing . . .

The power of words . . .

We can let the words quietly be spoken to us in there own quiet and unobtrusive way.

Too gently and slowly to impact on our lives as we read - and in the future when we recall their meaning for us.

I hope this caution page will do this and more. I hope this example will help to express life in an insightful, penetrating but easy to read manner. And help us to question the lives we lead and the manner in which we live them.

Should we treat life with caution
lest life and your decisions become less certain
because we should treat ourselves with confidence
as this will offer success if we follow our conscience

Because our life does direct us this way
discretion, prudence might seem to stay
as part of our action making ability
being careful, guarded, might leave us unhappy

As with decisions we need follow our perception
otherwise we might treat all with circumspection
where alertness, forethought has its place
we want to get on and really face

Up to the obstacles and challenges we meet
with confidence, motivation, energy, what a treat
it is to exhibit all of our powers
no amount of good luck will cut all the corners

As we should be meeting our decisions head on
displaying undue caution might be an admission
that we are not so certain as to what to do
its not like we're on the rapids in a canoe

And our course may be laid out ahead for us
as the river of life takes us forward most anxious
we would rather view our cautious attitude
as being wise, considered and being rather shrewd

Because we don't know what would happen if we jumped in
a reprimand, warning - be careful - might be the injunction
but alert, wary and tentative might be our approach
being judicious, tentative, watchful, might otherwise encroach

Upon our best laid plans and all of that
being careful has a place when we come into bat
provided we meet life with energy when it is needed
forethought and planning will allow us to take heed

Of any new features that appear out of the mists
to prey on our nerves and fears with new twists
of circumstance and situation to test the most brave
we want peace, contentment and no shockwave

To rush through us our life or through our situation
to head us off course we may need fall back on our discretion
to take our time where we see it fit
or rush on forth when that just seems to be it

As we need to treat all circumstance on its merit
go easy on ourselves and use our power or be more circumspect
depending upon what is being called for
we want to be able to complete the task and open the door

To the rest of our life without having to look back
not just have a try or otherwise have a crack
at what we are doing - for it needs to be more certain
we want to succeed in life by true action tempered by caution.

All best,
Martin