Tag Archives: Decision Making

The Road Not Taken

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Two roads diverged in a yellow wood,
And sorry I could not travel both
And be one traveler, long I stood
And looked down one as far as I could
To where it bent in the undergrowth;

Then took the other, as just as fair,
And having perhaps the better claim
Because it was grassy and wanted wear;
Though as for that the passing there
Had worn them really about the same,

And both that morning equally lay
In leaves no step had trodden black.
Oh, I kept the first for another day!
Yet knowing how way leads on to way,
I doubted if I should ever come back.

I shall be telling this with a sigh
Somewhere ages and ages hence:
Two roads diverged in a wood, and I –
I took the one less traveled by,
And that has made all the difference.

– Robert Frost

Struggling with Bible study

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I am really struggling with this Bible Study. My original plan was to read straight through from Genesis to Revelations, but now I am at a crossroads. I am close to finishing my third month – started 9/7/11 – and I have not even made it through two books of the Old Testament. At this rate it will take over three years before I will get to the really good stuff in the New Testament.

I glanced at the first chapter of Matthew and noticed it refers to significant events in the Old Testament I have not reached yet, like King David and the exile of the Jews. I do not even know when or why they started calling them Jews instead of Israelites. I want to understand the history before I read the New Testament, but I am anxious to get there. Christmas approaching and the thought of celebrating the birth of Jesus are not helping.

My Thoughts:

Decisions: After re-reading the above, I find it funny that I have made this such a weighty decision. It does not matter which way I go, just as long as I continue. It is kind of like life, we tend to make simple things difficult.

Getting to the Good Stuff: Some of us are so anxious to get to the good stuff that we try jumping ahead only to find we still need to put in the work to attain our goal. That is okay. Take your step back, get to work, and keep at it. You will reach your goal in the right time.

Others delay gratification too long and miss out, like the old couple who planned to travel the world after they retired, but were disappointed when they were too weak to go very far.

Balance is the key, and trick to life. Work hard now, but also try to enjoy yourself some along the way!  God bless!

Jacob’s Daughter (Gen 34)

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Bible Summary:

Jacob’s only daughter Dinah is raped by Shechem, the son of chief Hamor. Shechem then tells his father he wants to marry her. Hamor and Shechem bargain with Jacob and his sons for Dinah. Jacob’s sons require Hamor to circumcise all his males. Hamor agrees and gets approval from the townspeople to allow intermarriage by saying the Hivites could gain all the Hebrew wealth.

After all Hamor’s men are circumcised, Jacob’s sons Levi and Simeon avenge their Dinah’s disgrace by killing all the men of the village, including Hamor and Shechem, and taking all their possessions, women and children.

Jacob chastises Levi and Simeon for igniting a potential war with the other people of the area that could destroy his whole family. They reply, “We cannot let our sister be treated like a common whore.”

My Thoughts:

Revenge: Jacob seems more concerned about the repercussions against his family then the fact that his sons just killed all the men in the village. He understands that revenge is circular. Feuds can last for years or centuries.

Decisions: The story illustrates the difference between two decision-making styles. Jacob is more of a chess player, looking at everything at stake and the potential outcomes before acting in comparison to his reactionary sons who put the whole family in danger. It was a lot different back then with no laws, police or courts to settle issues like this and meter punishment.

Rape: After 4000 years, rape is still prevalent today. The United States is 6th in the world with 1 in 6 women having experienced at least an attempt (see Wikipedia Rape Statistics). Rape is never right, but I wonder if rates are higher in the U.S. because of suggestive TV shows, movies, and women’s clothing.

To Women: I am sure you have heard many times the defenses against UNknown attackers (take self-defense classes, carry pepper-spray, travel in groups at night, etc.), but be sure to learn what to do against KNOWN attackers.

Boyfriends are the hardest to deal with since so many other thoughts and emotions will distract you. Don’t be forced, bullied, or humiliated into doing it. If you do not want to have sex, you do not have to have sex. Say “no”, yell or scream “stop”, stand up and leave. If necessary, hit, slap, or kick him or lock yourself in the bathroom and call for help.

You may feel embarrassed, concerned about what your friends will think, or worried about how you are going to handle your relationship with him later. All this pales in comparison to what you will feel if you allow him to have sex with you unwillingly. It will affect the rest of your life. Be strong!

If he won’t listen about your wants and needs then he isn’t the right guy for you anyway. Don’t worry about losing him; you WILL find a nice guy. You are a beautiful person and you deserve better.

To Men: when a woman says “no” she means “no”. Respect her and yourself. Go for a long run, swim, or bike ride. Come back and talk to her. Let her know you will wait until she is ready.  You be strong too – in this way.