Testing the Fruit

It can be very scary to move into a place of surrender from a place where we knew how things "should" be. Society (especially religious societies) have some pretty clear ideas about what is good and what is bad. When you move from that place to a place where there is nothing good or bad (things just are), how are you supposed to know what to do? I'm not sure I even really know, to be honest. Most people don't just jump from one way of thinking to another so easily, I don't think, but we tend to cling to our old ideas and release them gradually.. Which is totally fine! You don't want to break your brain.

One way to learn and grow into this new space is by trying  things out and looking at the fruit. It takes a great deal of honesty with ones self and courage to do so, but there is so much to learn if you can!

Things always have pros and cons to them. You just have to evaluate for yourself, are the benefits of things worth the cost or is the cost too much. 

Drinking alcohol - 

benefits.. It's fun.. Releases stress.. Can build relationships.. Can increase creativity.. 

Costs.. hangovers.. Can lead you do do dangerous things.. Can change your personality for the worse.. Can lead to an addiction. 

Now you get to decide.. It is a good thing or a bad thing for you, at this time.

Shane often uses this formula to evaluate his choices.. "Does this thing help me come closer to achieving my long term goals?" I really like that way of testing the fruit.

Testing the fruit of the choices in other people's lives is tricky (maybe not a good idea). It can lead one to anger, sadness or contempt with them if we do not agree with their choices. Also, when some people (most of us) feel like their choices are being judged we might make our choices in defensiveness, which makes it difficult to be as honest with ourselves as we may need to be to make a wise judgment.

Sometimes when I am really not sure I go Secret Santa.. I ask for wisdom and then be quiet and watch.. Often wonderful ideas come from unexpected places.