top of page
%20(1).png)
Pursuing Abundant Life
Wiser Choices
Abundant Life
The customer was happy. Her business paid the price.
The customer was happy. Her business paid the price.
She agreed to one more change without updating the price or putting it in writing. The request felt small. By the time the work was finished, the profit was gone.
The choice at the red light began the night before.
Speeding may save a few minutes. Slowing down means arriving late and facing the natural cosequences. That split-second decision carries a whole story beneat it.
Our framework helps us see the setup, uncover what is really driving the choice, and use practical skills to make the next wise choice.
.png)
.png)
.png)
.png)
11:48 PM
6:30 AM
7:42 AM
7:55 AM
"Just one more episode"
The alarm rings. Snooze wins.
Rushing, tense, and already behind.
Speed up or face being late.
THE WISE CHOICE
Slow down and face the consequences
I call ahead, drive safety, and accept responsibility for arriving late.
OR
THE UNWISE CHOICE
Rush and try to outrun it
I speed, take risks, and let embarrassment make the decision for me.
PATTERNS OF SELF-CARE
What set the choice up?
The morning did not unravel at the red light. Daily practices shaped energy, margin, mood, and the ability to respond well under pressure.
PRACTICE
WISE RESPONSE
UNWISE REACTION
Prayer & Personal Reflection
Honestly examine why pressure makes me take shortcuts and ask God to guide my responses.
Avoid the honest conversation and justify the shortcut because it seems small.
Attention to Mental Health Skills
Notice the anxiety and overwhelm behind hitting snooze, then use skills to reduce the anxiety.
Ignore what is happening underneath, then rush and take risks to make up lost time.
Tend to Physical Health
Recognize how constant rushing keeps my body tense and build enough margin to move at a healthier pace.
Ignore the tension, racing heart, and exhaustion, then repeat the pattern.
Time Management
Plan ahead, allow enough travel time, and leave margin for delays.
Underestimate how long things take and try to recover the minutes by taking risks.
Exercise
Protect room for movement during the day, even when schedule is full.
Let movement become the first thing cut whenever time runs out.
Recharge
See how late nights and repeated snoozing drain the joy and energy I need for the day.
Run day by day on emotion without noticing how my choices affected my mood.
Nutrition
Get up early enough to begin the day with a healthy meal.
Grab a donut on the way or wait until lunch to eat.
Sleep
Go to bed earlier so tiredness doesn't set tomorrow's choices in motion.
Keep living without a sleep routine that supports the mornings I need.
PRINCIPLES
What was shaping the choice?
The pressure exposes more than poor planning. It reveals the beliefs, values, identity, and direction already guidng the reaction.
PRACTICE
WISE RESPONSE
UNWISE REACTION
Beliefs Drive Behaviors
Being late is uncomfortable. Arriving safely matters more, whether anyone is watching or not.
If no police are around, I can get away with it. Being on time is worth the risk.
Consequences
A few lost minutes are easier to recover than a ticket, collision, or injury.
I will probably make it through safely. Saving a few minutes feels worth the chance.
Willingness
I am willing to be late and face embarrassment rather than risk someone's safety.
I am unwilling to feel embarrassed or explain why I am late; even when I know the risk.
Values
I value safety and responsibility more than protecting my image.
I value arriving on time and avoiding embarrassment more than the safety of others.
Character
Others see by my words and actions what I value. My alignment reflects integrity between what I do and what I say.
My recklessness tells others that I really don't value safety and responsibility. My words or actions don't match what I say or do.
Identity
I am someone who acts responsibly and am not defined by what others think of me.
I am someone who lets pressure decide who I will be in the moment.
Relationships
I can see someone's disappointment while protecting everyong in my path.
Fear of other people's opinions takes power over my choice and places others at risk.
Direction
Short-term embarrassment leads toward long-term safety and responsibility.
Short-term relief moves me toward tickets, accidents, and consequences I cannot undo.
LIFE SKILLS
How can I handle it wisely
Insight needs somewhere to to. These three skills turn what I can see into what I can do next.
APPLICATION
WISE RESPONSE
UNWISE REACTION
Internal (Emotional, physical, spiritual)
Notice my fatigue and anxiety, then regulate before deciding how to respond.
Let discomfort and embarrassment drive me into rushing and greater risk.
External (Situation I am facing)
Slow down, assess the traffic and time available, and call ahead if needed.
Try to recover lost time by speeding and treating traffic as something to overcome.
Relational (Between me and others)
Communicate honestly that I may be late and protect everyone sharing the road.
Protect my image by rushing, while placing myself and others at risk.
Unsolvable (Outside of my control)
Accept that I cannot recover the lost time and focus on arriving safely.
Fight what I cannot change by forcing an unsafe outcome.
Coping Skills (Emotion regulation)
Face the discomfort of being late without letting embarrassment push me into danger.
Cope by rushing and avoiding embarrassment now, while creating greater risk.
Critical Thinking Skills (Challenge my thoughts)
Remember that a ticket or accident is possible whenever I speed and refuse to ignore that reality.
Know a ticket or accident could happen, yet dismiss it because I am not expecting it today.
Problem Solving Skills (Eliminating the issue)
Slow down, call ahead, and accept that I may be late. Then plan to avoid this situation again in the future.
Treat speeding as the only solution and potentially create a much bigger problem.
INTERRUPT THE STORY
The next wise choice starts before the next red light.
I can face today's consequences, learn from the pattern I am establishing, and build a different morning tomorrow.
bottom of page