How many times have you heard someone say, “You know, I’m not going to do that anymore!”

How many times have you heard someone say, “That’s it! I’ve had enough.”

How many times in your life have you said something like the above?

In my lifetime, I can imagine that my Quit List is a bit longer than my memory wants it to be.

Maybe it is the fall weather.

Maybe it is the sense of reflection I always feel this time of year, after a summer of fun, family and festivals.

Maybe it is the renegotiation of employment contracts and personal service agreements.

Whatever it is, it is.

Every September. Every year. This reevaluation. This analysis. This what-do-we-do now.

Shall I continue to write for our local paper? My contract expires in a few days.

Shall I continue to work at our Island County Fair? My contract expires in a few weeks.

Shall I continue with our school community talent show?

But wait, emcee breath, what if the school district does not ask you this year?

What if that cheap phone does not ring?

Oh my, Dorothy.

I may need a counselor.

First I’d ask my counselor, shall I continue my counseling career?

My two-year license is due for renewal soon. Will I need shots?

Shall I pay my property tax on time or wait for the assessor’s election results?

Yes, fall is here. Again, my mind seems as cluttered with “what-if’s” as an expectant father in a toy store.

For me, there is a real powerlessness in analyzing too much.

For me, there is a real powerlessness in not deciding.

So, march on, indecisive lips! Decide we must.

In us, we trust.

But how?

How do we decide whether to turn right or left, go up or down, buy or sell?

When do we know that we have made the right decision?

When do we know that we have made any decision?

My brother and sister are discussing the purchase of considerable acreage in the Highland County area of Virginia. The geography of this property reminds me of some of the vistas I have seen in books about Switzerland. For me, wandering the hillsides and mountains of western Virginia would be an excellent source of mental fiber in deciding my next path or priority.

Do you have a pattern in making a decision?

Do you wait until you have run out of time?

Do you wait until you have enough opinions from others?

Making decisions, no matter how big or small, can be life threatening and life affirming in the same breath.

Here are a few suggestions from the wisdom makers of yesteryear that may help us all with our decisions this fall.

“Indecision is like a stepchild: if he does not wash his hands, he is called dirty; if he does, he is wasting water.” — African proverb.

“Nothing is so exhausting as indecision, and nothing is so futile.” — Bertrand Russell.

“Every great leap forward in your life comes after you have made a clear decision of some kind.” — Brian Tracy.

“Your decision to be, have and do something out of the ordinary entails

facing difficulties that are out of the