Every choice we make is the right one and every choice is the wrong one. No matter what, we will choose something. The choices we make shape our lives, and influence the lives of others.
How often do you consciously think about the choices you make daily? Do you spend much time at each decision point before choosing? Do you even recognize when you are at a decision making point? Are you impulsive in the choices you make? Do you let others make choices for you? Do you make choices for others?
Every day we are faced with choices. Most of them are made without much effort. Do you put your pants on left leg or right leg first? You probably don’t stop to think about it. If you did you might still be working on it. Many, perhaps most, of our choices are made from habit. We learn very early the preferred pants leg to put on first. The choice isn’t monumental. It is just a choice, but we could be there all day if stopped to weigh the consequences of that choice.
There other choices we make that seem as innocent and harmless that we make much the same way. Should we eat breakfast? Should we go to school? Should we choose this career or that? With whom should we associate? Will we have a life mate?
Every choice we make does shape our lives. Thank goodness most of our choices are as inconsequential as getting dressed. When dressing we can usually make choices to meet society’s requirement to be dressed in public. We may not satisfy everyone’s taste in “proper” attire, but most of our bodies are covered. We should think more about choices that might have a negative affect on our bodies, minds and relationships. Surprisingly, some of the choices that seem the least important are anything but that. Sometimes there are external factors that greatly influence our choices.
There is no “wrong” choice, just choice. When some choices are made with little thought the results can be disastrous. Or, at least seem that way. As an example: Someone is being mugged. I intervene. The mugging is thwarted. That seems like a right choice. However, what if the mugger, the victim or I get seriously injured as a result. Is my choice to intervene right or wrong? We might be willing to say that the mugger got what he deserved if he is injured so the choice was right. The choice to come to that conclusion might be right, but that is the topic for another discussion. (Is the choice to make that last statement right or wrong?) The point is-we make choices.
Another example: In chapter twelve I discussed dysfunctional, abusive relationships. Both of those people have chosen to be in that relationship. Each has a reason for being there. At that time, each of them believes they are receiving what they want. Most of us would say that they are not really analyzing the situation clearly. They probably aren’t, but what is their payoff? They probably don’t take the time to make that kind of analysis at the beginning of the relationship. It isn’t until the abuse gets worse that they begin to question the choices they made that got them to that point.
What about the choice to have one more “small” drink before driving home? There are sufficient statistics to support the idea that the choice turned out badly. People get injured and killed daily because of the choice of the drinking driver. What about the choices of the victim? It is not my intent to minimize the pain and grief of the victims. I think it might be interesting to look at the choices they made that brought them to the scene of the accident. In chapter six I discuss the responsibility we all share in the outcome of events.
A way to put this in perspective might be that this is all part of a grander plan that we have had a hand in planning. We have decided to have coincidental events occur that will provide us lessons to learn. We must then choose to learn the lesson or not. At some time the lesson will be learned.
It would be easy for me to say we must stop being lazy about contemplating the choices we make. But that is just one choice. What is yours?
Jack’s Nugget: My life is the sum of my choices, so is yours.
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6 comments:
There are always more than two choices to every situation. We are the sum of our choices, and are sometimes we are affected by others choices as well.
Live fully....
What happens when the 'choices' are no longer yours? eg health issues, violence against you, grief and HAVING to go through the door you did not choose? Thought you may help me out.
Alison:
My explanation may seem to be too simplified, but I think it will be helpful. The way I look at things is that we have choices. Do I get up in the morning or not? Do I go down this road or that? Do I ignore making a choice thinking I am not choosing? Even deciding not to choose is making a choice.
You comment about health issues is a particularly interesting one. It really depends on where you believe choices begin. In my belief system, we make choice over a large number of lifetimes. We may decide that it is important to learn what it is like to have a debiliating disease, so we choose a life where that will be more likely to happen.
I cannot think of a door that you do not choose to go through. You may be forced to do so and acquiesce rather than choose what ever consequences the "forcer" threatens. Either way, the choice is yours. It can be even more complicated than that. It might be that you and the "forcer" agreed to have that encounter to help pay off a karmic debt.
Grief is a part of the human condition that is acculturated. There are some cultures that look at the moment of death as a natural transition from this life to the next. They believe that the time of transistion is a time to rejoice in the time spent with the person in transition. I suppose the Irish wake is an interesting Christian variation of such a time.
These concepts probably seem farfetched, but they are what I believe. If you want to learn more there are several books that might help. One is " Reiki: The Hawayo Takata Story". The other is the "Messages from Michael" series of four books. You can also look at the list of influential books posted here on September 2nd.
I hope this helps. I believe Ros might even shed some light on this subject, but I do not know that for sure.
Thank you for your extensive explanations. I really respect your views and the way you 'see' how things are a choice. I am trying but it is hard for me...like fitting a round peg into a square hole. It doesn't 'feel' right , but only for me.
I get a little panicky when you talk about 'choosing ill health from another life time'...I hope you understand that.
Thanks for your help though.
Alison :-) The marvelous thing about choice is that you are free to choose not to believe anything I, or anyone else, says. Interestingly enough, square pegs can fit in round holes and vice versa. It is a matter of volume. Just don't expect a very snug fit.
I have read that sometimes the greatest indicator of preparing to move to a "higher" level of understanding and goal completion is illness and/or painful experience. I'm still trying to get my mind around that idea.
Keep up your good works of fulfilling your life's missions.
Thank you Jack.
In the past (when the past was my present) I would have dwelled sadly on the fact that my choices put me in the painful places I had been but now looking back, I am very happy I made those choices because they put me EXACTLY where I am today.
To others who are in painful places keep looking ahead and realize that after your lesson has been learned it will all be worth it.
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