Two Kinds of People

In one of her books, Martha Beck says,“There are two kinds of people:The ones who need to stop talking and start doing, andThe ones who need to stop doing and start talking”As usual, I am charmed by Oprah’s favorite life coachAnd it rings trueI imagine I’m one of the former, given how much I talkBut I know a whole lot of workaholics who are the latterAnd when I watch them moving at 100 mphMaking rain, keeping things afloat, dotting all the i’sI think about how happy they’ll beWhen they finally learn to slow downI hold out hope for most peopleOne day, something will invite them out of their habitsAnd they’ll find a safe, warm, receptive reflectorWho will help them get to the heart of their matterAnd a whole new kind of adventure will begin.The talkers…. That’s a different ballgame.I think, in part, that comes from being overwhelmed by optionsTrying to construct the ‘right answer’It’s a kind of decision paralysisSo. Many. Options.How to land on just one?I’ve actually instituted a rule with my husbandOnce we’ve decided on a course of action,We must stop discussing any other possibilities.Like where we’re going for lunchOn the way to one restaurant, he begins to lists others we might preferIt comes from a lifetime of being a ‘fixer’Knowing the options, weighing them, making an informed decisionBut, enumerating options meant something completely differentIn 1990 than in 2025How the world has changedWhat was once a luxuryIs now ‘too much of a good thing’Choices weren’t on offer when I was a kid.And my kids had too manyWe are faced with nearly infinite options in almost every corner of our livesMaking a decision is a necessary skillCutting out the noise afterward is an act of self compassionThomas Hübl has saidFreedom isn’t being able to have all the candy in the candy storeFreedom is knowing which candy is for you.Leave it to Thomas to take the overwhelm outAnd gently drop in clarityI think I’ve been staring at the candy counter of lifeDiscussing the pros and cons of the colorful canistersHoping one will jump out at me, literally invite me inBut I think it’s time my mature self can step in and make a choiceI think its timeWish me luck This is a public episode. If you would like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit fallingtenderly.substack.com