Coleen –

In my view, this zone state of quiet mind is where the truth comes directly and clearly. If I were confronting the forked path for a big decision, I would most definitely be using all my faculties to allow the state of awareness to make the path clear.

As Mel said, decide from the open heart, then whatever decision you make, it will be right… you will believe in it and make it so.

Coleen,
I use some different tools based on different situations: emotional, interpersonal, scholastic, work, play, etc. I often have different objectives, so my approach will vary… I suppose I am not very habitual about such things.

For example, suppose I am trying to resolve a problem at work: I may lay out the problem as clearly as I can, thinking of all the angles to it, defining the problem as clearly as possible “trying” potential consequences of each potential solution. If I am fortunate, after doing this and then allowing myself some “zone space” the “best fit” solution may emerge.

On the other hand, if the crossroads situation appears to involve a “negative” emotion… I may choose to simply review the state of affairs and “do” nothing. Simply choosing that option has helped me learn it is sometimes the best choice.

If the crossroads involves something interpersonal, my approach may change entirely.

Perhaps this is of no use at all.

Coleen…..

Are you in a quiet state of mind?

• This reply was modified 81 days ago by  jennifer from Belgium.
• This reply was modified 81 days ago by  jennifer from Belgium.

I would love to Jennifer! I am having a tough time with this one!

I have been invited to become a patient advocate with a government agency. It is the “put state name here Pain Management Commission”. Their mission is to improve pain management in the state for chronic pain patients.

There are 2 commissioner chairs for these positions. I have been attending the commission meetings as a public guest up to this point. I feel that I have a lot of knowledge to pass on to patients about how to have a wonderful life, in spite of, and a lot of information I can give on how to “Not Be A Victim”, “To Be Your Own Best Advocate”.

The hard time that I am having is that since I have been attending the meetings as a public guest I find that the commission is serving the government agencies or the providers, not the patients. They need for there to be victims or they are out of a job. I have a real problem with that. On one hand I think “if I get in there as part of the commission, maybe I can change some points of view. Maybe I can show them that if they teach the patients how to be their own best advocates, instead of victims, they will make more of a difference in the patient’s lives” and save money in the mean time. The other part of me realizes that I will be terribly out numbered and not as equipped as the commissioners that are currently there. I also do not want to become part of the commission and then bail on them if I find I can not find a middle ground with them. It is a 2 year commitment.

Bottom line, I know I can make a difference in the patient’s lives, but I do not know what vehicle to take to do that. I just don’t know if a government agency is the vehicle. But, I do not see any other options right now to have a starting point.

I am not sure if I have outlined the “fork in the road” here, so that it is understandable. If I didn’t please let me know what blanks I can fill in.

Any input would be great!

Thank you guys! Have a great day/evening!

Thank you for the clarity of your situation. Personally I am going to sit on this so I can reply in clarity too….Just a few questions….other than personal interest and motivation are there any practical benifits that may influence you…like pay, housing,etc…what will you be giving up in exchange? Do you see external benifts, disadvantages?

Hi Jennifer, Hi Drew,
Thank you so very much for taking your time to reply to this!
I do not receive any kind of pay for being a commissioner. In fact I use vacation days from work to go to the meetings. It is about a 45 minute drive for me to get there. I give up my time and energy. What I receive in return is to know that I have made a difference in someone’s life. That I can impart some information that they may not have had an opportunity to receive somewhere else.

Drew, The meetings are open to the public, but any public guest is not allowed to speak throughout the meeting. There is 10 minutes at the beginning of each meeting that is open to anyone in the public that would like to speak and that is the only opportunity for a public guest to speak.

I feel as though I have not identified another vehicle to get my message out with.
I also feel that if I can change minds and points of view of the current commissioners, it will make a HUGE difference in the patient’s lives, but also begin to make an impact on the providers and how they view chronic pain patients.

Again, ANY input is so valuable to me! Thank you again for your time and thought!

Yes I agree with Drew…what is the underlying fear that makes this decision so difficult?

I was also thinking that you may have to carry a label…an identity..  Having this position may just give more power to that label….what are youtr thoughts on that?

On the other hand you could just go for it and see what happens…always changing….no committment really….just being there, present, to offer what you can for anyone asking….having a cup of tea at end of day and thinking….hmnnn….that was interesting today.