Let’s face it—decisions are hard. Whether it’s choosing a career, committing to a relationship, or even picking what to eat for dinner, every choice feels like a gamble.
“What if I’m wrong? What if I regret this later?” The fear of making a mistake can paralyze you, leaving you stuck in a loop of overthinking and second-guessing.
But what if I told you that the key to making decisions you won’t regret isn’t about being “right”? It’s about being clear.
The Trap of Goals and Dreams
We’re all chasing something—dreams, goals, aspirations. But here’s the thing: Most goals are traps.
Think about it. When you were 18, what did you dream of? A certain job? A specific relationship? A particular lifestyle? Now, fast forward to today. If all those dreams had come true, would you still want them? For many of us, the answer is no.
Goals often come from external influences—society, family, friends. They’re shaped by what we think we should want, not what we truly desire. And when we achieve them, we realize they don’t fulfill us.
So, before you set a goal, ask yourself: “Will this still matter to me in 25 years? Will it mean something to me on my deathbed?” If the answer isn’t a resounding yes, it’s not your goal. It’s someone else’s.
The Power of Withdrawal
Here’s a radical idea: Stop listening to everyone else.
The noise of the world—social media, family expectations, cultural norms—can drown out your inner voice. To hear yourself clearly, you need to withdraw. Not forever, but long enough to find your center.
Go somewhere quiet. Sit. Meditate. Let the chatter fade. When your mind is calm and your heart is light, that’s when you’ll know what you truly want.
Because here’s the truth: Decisions made in desperation are disasters waiting to happen. Decisions made in clarity? They’re bulletproof.
The Mask of Personality
Now, let’s talk about personality. We spend so much time trying to “develop” one, but what is personality, really?
The word comes from persona, which means mask. In ancient theaters, actors would wear masks to play different roles—Rama, Sita, Hanuman. The mask wasn’t who they were; it was just a tool for the performance.
But here’s the problem: Most of us have glued our masks to our faces. We’ve become so attached to our roles—the successful professional, the perfect parent, the loyal friend—that we’ve forgotten who we are underneath.
You don’t need to “develop” a personality. You need to unmask yourself.
A Beautiful Story!
There’s a beautiful story about a sage. The sage was very wise and the king got to know about this from his ministers. The king offered him a minister’s post. The sage agreed but he had one condition: The king had to give him a private room in the palace, and no one was allowed to enter it.
Every day, the sage would go into this room, lock the door, and spend an hour inside. When he came out, he was calm, clear, and ready to make wise decisions.
One day, the king’s curiosity got the better of him. He broke into the room and found it empty—except for a set of worn-out clothes and a begging bowl.
The sage explained: “When I need to make an important decision, I come here, put on these clothes, and sit with my begging bowl. It reminds me of who I really am—not the minister, not the sage, just a human being. That’s how I stay clear.”
This is the power of meditation. It’s not about chanting or sitting in a specific posture. It’s about stripping away the layers—the masks, the roles, the expectations—until all that’s left is you.
Also See: Does Prayer Work?
The Truth About Regret
Regret doesn’t come from making the “wrong” decision. It comes from making a decision that wasn’t yours.
When you’re clear, when you’re connected to your being, you can’t make a wrong choice. Even if things don’t go as planned, you’ll know you acted from a place of truth. And that’s all that matters.
Your Invitation: Strip Down to Rise Up
So, here’s my challenge to you:
- Withdraw. Take a break from the noise. Sit in silence. Listen to yourself.
- Unmask. Let go of the roles you’ve been playing. Who are you underneath?
- Decide. Not from fear, not from desperation, but from clarity and joy.
And remember: You don’t need to build a personality. You just need to be yourself.