Decide comes from the root, “to cut off”. Even to strike, cut down, or kill.

Its origin is not “wean” or “peel” or “untangle” or “part”. It’s more violent than that.

And sometimes, when we’re making an important decision, we feel the weight of that physical cleaving.

But such is life: we make choices. We cannot travel all paths, nor were we meant to.

Instead, we decide. We travel along, and we decide again.

Our cutting tools, however, need not be dull. (We don’t have to add suffering to our unavoidable task.)

Like knife-work, decision-making is a skill that can be improved.

As you learn, don’t be afraid to keep a sharp blade; despite the risk, it’s the best way.