“The Wise One”

“I don’t know what to do.”

I say nothing.

I wait.

Here it comes …

“Tell me what to do.”

Those who come to me are at a crossroads. No one is troubled by small decisions. No one asks what to wear today or which route to drive on the way home. No, they come with the big ones, the life-altering ones; choices between seeking a new job or waiting for the boss to retire, whether to accept or reject a suitor’s proposal, to stay in an unhappy relationship or take a chance and find happiness elsewhere.

I am—used to be—amazed at how eager they are to relinquish control of their fate to a stranger. In truth, that is not so. They only believe they want to be told what to do. When you tell them, they more often do the opposite, sometimes to their benefit, sometimes to their detriment. At one time, I tried reverse psychology and dispensed advice contrary to what was best, but that caused trouble for the ones who took it blithely and I always bore the blame.

Long ago, I stopped saying anything at all. Now I simply sit and listen while they pour out their hearts in hope of receiving guidance they would inevitably ignore. The fact is, they don’t need me to tell them anything.

They already know.

They need only sit and be still. The answer will come because it’s already there. It may be uncomfortable or frightening, but it will be right and they will know it, but ultimately …

What they do is up to them.