Good Enough is Never Good

Good Enough is Never Good

by

Aya Fubara Eneli, M.A., J.D.

AYA ENELI INTERNATIONAL

 

 

Just because it looks good, smells good, tastes good, sounds good and even feels good does not mean that it is good for you. Recently, I attended a luncheon and after the main course, a table with an array of some of the most tantalizing desserts was wheeled over to our table.  One by one , my friends made their choices and as they dug in , each one would let out a sigh of absolute pleasure.

I passed on dessert that day and with each forkful, one of my friends would say something along the lines of, “You don’t know what you are missing.” “Just one bite won’t hurt.” “Sometimes you just have to let your hair down.” “This is sooooooooo good!”

How many times have you embraced someone or something that appeared “good” only to regret or pay heavily for that decision? How much have you paid in interest on that really “good” deal? How many tears did you shed over that too “good” to pass up guy? Now that you struggle with high blood pressure and other ailments, just how beneficial were all those “meals” that were too “good” to ignore?

The Bible teaches that, “Everything is permissible for us; but not all things are helpful (good for us to do, expedient and profitable when considered with other things.” Financing a luxury vehicle when you have no savings and no safety net might seem like a good idea
when you feel the power of the car and the envious stares from others, but when you are facing repossession or losing sleep over how to pay your bills, you realize that it was not the most beneficial or wisest choice you could make.

Going to the bar to hang out with friends when you are a recovering alcoholic may seem like a good idea, but it can destroy your life. Flirting with a friend or co-worker may feel good, but it could soon cost you all you hold dear.

The toughest decision most of us face is not whether a choice is good or bad, rather deciding between what’s good and best for us.   The good news is that there are ways to improve the chances that you will not just settle for what appears to be good, and actually find what’s best under the circumstances.

First, set aside time to figure out and vividly paint a picture of your vision for your life. Who are you? What do you want out of life? Who do you want to impact and why? What do you want to experience? What legacy would you like to leave?

See, a person who has a clear sense of who they are and where they are going makes decisions differently because they realize what’s at stake. Presidents George H. Bush and Jimmy Carter regardless of their accomplishments in office are widely regarded as men with high moral standards, not so much some other presidents. Like all men in power, I highly doubt that they did not have opportunities to make choices based on what looked
good, but they chose what was best.

Secondly, find an accountability partner or two. There is wisdom in seeking wise counsel and there is strength in having others hold you to your word.

Thirdly, watch the company you keep and what and who you allow yourself to be exposed to. Bad company corrupts. Whether it is in what you read, listen to, watch, or whom you associate with, you want to be influenced by people striving to make the best, not just good choices.

Remember that there are always consequences for our choices. Staying away from the “good” and seeking the best will always lead to a more successful and fulfilling life.

 

Aya Fubara Eneli is a best-selling author, Christian Life Coach, Motivational
Speaker and Attorney. Her life’s purpose is to empower and equip people to live up to their highest potential. She and her husband live in Central Texas with their five miraculous children. For more information, visit www.ayaeneli.com, follow her on twitter @ayaeneli or e-mail her at info@ayaeneli.com.