frogs and branches

This morning's homily began with a story, a riddle [in part, and paraphrased slightly]:

A boy approached his father and presented this question: "Three frogs sat on a branch over a pool. One decided to jump in. How many were left?" The father responded that two frogs were left on the branch, as one had jumped into the pool. The boy repeated the story, asking his father to listen more carefully. The father then replied, "Oh, I see! None were left, because when the first jumped, the others followed." The boy shook his head and said, "No, Father. You see, the frog merely decided to jump into the pool. He did not yet jump, so all three frogs remained on the branch."

Resolutions are something I've not made on New Year's Day for quite a long time. There are a number of reasons for that, none of which I really think make any difference as an argument for or against the practice. It's just something I've not done. Lately, however, I've found myself making resolutions randomly here and there. Most of the time, they have to do on some level with finding myself again, or maintaining the me that I have found.

After hearing this story this morning, though, and the thoughts that follow regarding making resolutions versus making changes (also known as following through), I resolved to stop simply making decisions, and start acting upon them. Each morning, I climb the stairs to work, and resolve to do, say, or behave (or avoid same) in a particular vein, ask (pray) for guidance in same, then climb into bed at night apologizing for falling short and resolving to do better the next day. I've honestly wondered what I've been missing.

Silly me, I've been sitting on the branch, eyes bulging.

So, my resolution is to jump when I decide to jump; to think and pray about decisions, of course, but to do that before the decision and then go with it. Go. With. It. The decision may be to get involved, or to not get involved; to speak or to stay silent. And to realize that what I see when I look back on my day has to power to affect my perception of myself, of my value as a person, a mother, a friend, a worker, a wife, a daughter of God. And ultimately, that last is my responsibility, each and every day.

The homily ended with words something like this: "Lord, you will certainly make life challenging for me. I trust that you will not make it impossible." Jumping off the branch is the challenge; making a decision is easier than following through.