The Next Right Thing

Life often feels like standing at a crossroads, where the sheer number of choices pulls us in every direction. We are bombarded with thousands of decisions each day, many so small we barely notice them, yet their accumulation weighs heavily on our minds. Imagine waking up and having to decide what to wear, what to eat, how to respond to emails, and on and on. Now imagine the larger decisions—career moves, family matters, spiritual questions—that loom like mountains.

In the midst of this, a simple yet profound mantra emerges: do the next right thing. This phrase, though over a century old, resonates deeply because it offers an antidote to paralysis. Instead of trying to plan every detail or predict every outcome, it invites us to focus on what is immediately before us—the next step we can take that aligns with love and integrity.

Consider the story of someone standing at the entrance of a college admissions building, uncertain about returning to school. The future is unclear, the stakes high, and the reasons for going back are tangled with fears and hopes. Yet the best way forward is not a grand plan but simply to request a transcript—the next right thing in that moment. This small action breaks the cycle of indecision and opens the door to clarity.

By embracing this approach, we release ourselves from the tyranny of needing perfect information or guaranteed outcomes. We acknowledge that life is lived one step at a time, and that’s enough. This mindset fosters peace, reduces anxiety, and invites trust in a process larger than ourselves.

As we move beyond this introduction, we'll explore how to create space within our souls to hear guidance, how to name the stories that shape us, and how to step forward with confidence even when the path is foggy. Each section builds on the last, offering tools and insights to live fully and faithfully in the present.

Let’s take this first step together and prepare to journey deeper into the art of doing the next right thing.