The ‘Get Out’ Clause

Far too often in life we talk ourselves into being trapped regarding our circumstances; we are no more trapped than we think ourselves to be; freedom pervades circumstances to the extent of our thought—our inconclusive, flexible, open-to-change thought.

The ‘get out’ clause is one that requires decisiveness and courage and, no less, wisdom—especially in getting it right.

And whilst the attribute of commitment is a much vaunted quality, there is always a sensible place for reconciling escape.

Dealing With The Dysfunction

If we were to imagine being in business we may readily see times when a ‘get out’ clause should be considered. It is a caveat we never really want to use, but it’s there when we have no choice or when it—to continue the venture—feels wrong.

What we’re doing is dealing with the dysfunction. We may have noted it, and even tried different things to counter it—to no avail. Where there is no foreseeable hope for change in the business venture it’s good to find a way to acceptably cut our losses.

So, dysfunction brings us to a precipice. We either deal with it, by fixing it, or we execute reparation of the arrangement. Mature assertiveness deals with dysfunction; it cannot abide in co-dependency, seesawing advantage and disadvantage for no ultimate or worthy objective, or the unequal or unmerited placement of relational outcomes.

Freedom Of Choice

Even though plenty of choice is not always a good thing, we do have freedom of choice about basically everything. But the mind perceives such choice as no choice more often than not; we are trapped only from within our minds.

The ‘get out’ clause may be the ultimate in freedom of choice, especially in consideration of the many otherwise ‘binding’ situations we get ourselves into.

But freedom of choice is just as much about the ‘get in’ clause, for there are as many good and positive things we could be part of—if only not to dilute our focus. And freedom of choice is also about foreseeing and considering all the choices between getting out and getting in. Wisdom is our imperative.

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Nobody is keeping us from doing what we can do—what we have the choice to do. When we find part of life an entrapment, a situation against where we should be, a wise head is called for. We may pray for guidance.

An open mind considers all angles when situations are despairing. It doesn’t reject thought of the ‘get out’ clause. Merely having it in our arsenal is empowering. We use it when we have to. Getting out can be both wise and life-saving.

© 2012 S. J. Wickham.