"The Bachelorette"- How to Choose?

Before I get started...let me explain for those who do not know, The Bachelor/Bachelorette is reality television where one person goes through a group of men or women to find their true love! There is unnecessary pettiness, jealousy, hard break ups and WAY too much PDA with a lot of different people.  I don't normally watch the show, and I am not a supporter of this type of dating. However about a year ago, my marketing team (I still blame you)  suggested I watch the show to find out about dating trends since I was releasing my book "A Shopper's Guide to Dating" (for Men and Women).  They felt it would ensure I was 'in touch' with dating trends and mindsets while promoting my book. As a result, my son and I recorded one season of The Bachelor and ended up watching the Bachelorette later. After a few agonizing weeks of total drama and  shock, I was weaned from it, until yesterday when my news finished and the finale came on.  Like any recovering TV addict,  I thought I would watch it just for a moment.   

 

THE FINALE

In this final episode, the  Bachelorette - Rachel had a choice between three men, one was young but really sweet, one was challenging but clear and the third was perfect in her mind, but unsure about making the commitment she wanted.  What should she do?  What would you do?

 

Well Rachel eliminated the young guy and that left her with two choices.  The Mr. Clear and Mr. Unsure.  You could feel her distress as she tried to convey to Mr. Unsure what she needed and why she kept him on even though he was unsure.  It was not really fair to MAKE him make a decision that he was not ready for, so to the dismay to everyone who loved him, she released him. 

Some would think she was settling for less because Mr. Unsure seemed to be everything she wanted.  He even told her if she didn't give him an opportunity, she would settle for a 'mediocre' life.
What a dramatic break up!  Most of us would not go through all that if we ourselves were unsure, but she held to her stance because she was sure about what she wanted at the end of it all-  a commitment, a ring! After a dramatic exit,  Mr. Unsure was gone,  and she went to meet Mr. Clear.  It became pretty clear that perhaps she made the right decision... I don't know cause I don't follow the show.  But let's apply this show to our lives.....  



CHOICES ARE NOT ALWAYS OBVIOUS!



LIFE'S CHOICES

In life we can run into opportunities that are hard to choose between. Sometimes the opportunity that seems the least beneficial can be the best.  Other times the one that can challenge us the most is the least desired.  Typically we will lean towards what seems to fit right and what looks like the most desired, but if we are not careful, we can end up selecting something that looks the part but does not deliver. 

If you have a bottom line requirement governed by your values and your beliefs, then at the end of the day you should be able to see where your decision lies.  If you are contemplating a business deal with someone and they want to cut corners and pat numbers and you have a conviction about being honest... your decision has been made for you.  No matter how lucrative the deal looks, ultimately you can't change a person in a moment, either they will regret doing business with you later, or you will be haunted by making the choice in the beginning.  The same applies in relationships and friendships. It is important to hold your standards when making life's choices.

DON'T LET THE CHALLENGE FOOL YOU

Sometimes the things that challenge us in life or business can intimidate us.  But every life experience should allow us to grow and be a better version of ourselves.  Over the years I can recall accepting numerous job opportunities that scared me.  I knew I was unqualified for the task and I was certain that I was gong to prove to be a great disappointment.  But every time, God gave me what I needed to be successful, I worked hard and was teachable, and each time I was promoted to a higher rank than I was qualified for.  Don't let the challenge fool you. that may be the very thing that helps you grow.

 

In conclusion, remember that once a difficult decision has been made, that is not the end.  Now you have to put in the work.  The decision is huge, but your willingness to do what is necessary to make it successful is still on the horizon.  Many opportunities are good ones, but sometimes our secondary decisions can ruin what was a sure success.  Just because Mr. Clear seems to be a good choice, he and Rachel will have to put in real work to make it.  It can't be a grand show just to make the choice  then they give up on living it out.  Real disappointments will show up, real battles and disagreements will follow.    In the live recording of the Bachelorette Rachel ensured all that after being told she would be settling for mediocrity, she was enjoying her "Best Life."  REMEMBER: To live your best life, you have to first make the best choice, then you have to give your best to make your life the best!  

 

EVANGELISTIC NOTE:

The best choice we ever make will be to choose the One who gave His life for us!  It might be difficult for some, depending on what they think or have heard about Him.  But overall, we know He is the ONE!  He is everything you need and then some, but once you choose Him, don't forget to put the work in.  Every relationship requires communication, requires time together, requires understanding what works for the other and coming to a  place of pleasing each other. 

God requires faith to please Him. Choose Jesus!  You will never regret it!