Column - Life is all about choices

Talk about it

Life, I figured out after 36 years of living, is surrounded by choice.

Sometimes – actually more often than I like to believe – the choices are truly mine. Although there are times when I, or anyone else involved, have absolutely no say in the matter.

But regardless, the majority of life is about making choices – whether they’re right, wrong or indifferent.

Along with choice, I also figured out, there are often consequences. Some good. Some bad.

Let’s take for example my younger years. I would sometimes (OK, maybe it was more often than not) choose to lie to my parents about where I was on certain occasions. They chose to figure out where I really was. They could’ve made a choice of not caring, but they didn’t and I’m glad.

So, what was the consequence? Let’s just say I spent a fair share of my teenage years being grounded. But that’s the thing; it was my choice. I made the decision to go where I shouldn’t. I made the choice to lie. And I had to deal with the consequences.

I hear the phrase, “I didn’t/don’t have a choice,” on a regular basis and oftentimes, think to myself, but make a choice to not say out loud, “Yes, you actually did/do have a choice.”

If a person says he/she doesn’t have money to pay bills, buy groceries or put gas in the car, but always finds money for non-essentials like perfectly manicured fingernails, specialty coffee drinks, frivolous purchases, cigarettes, alcohol or even Lottery tickets, that’s a choice.

If the bills, food or gas isn’t paid for because the person got laid off at work, was hospitalized for an illness or some other catastrophe, that’s a choice the person didn’t have a say in.

It becomes more understandable.

If a student tells the teacher he/she doesn’t have the homework assignment done, but spent the entire evening playing video games, that’s a choice. (And should result in a consequence from the parents!)

If an employee tells his/her boss that a project isn’t done, but the employee spent time working on something else, that’s a choice.

If a song plays on the radio or there is a show on TV that a person doesn’t like, he/she has the choice to change the station or the channel. People don’t have to get stuck watching umpteen reality shows (although some are addicting). There are decent programs out there.

If a person sees someone stealing an item from a store, he/she has a choice – report it or pretend it never happened.

I think you get the point.

I also realize there are things or circumstances people cannot choose, like when a loved one dies or when tragedy strikes. However, sometimes, there are circumstances that lead up to those tragedies that involve a choice. People just have to look deep inside and be willing to admit that the choice they made maybe wasn’t the best one.

I have not always made the best or right choices in my life and I will be the first to tell you which ones they are when asked.

But I have also made the choice not to dwell on them and instead, move forward and try to make better choices in the future.

People have an opportunity to choose the path of their life, but they may not always see or be aware of those choices. And, as the saying goes, people can make the choice of seeing the glass half full or half empty.

I have the choice to end my column here, but instead, I will leave you, our Echo Press readers, with one of my favorite quotes:

“Destiny is no matter of chance. It is a matter of choice. It is not a thing to be waited for, it is a thing to be achieved.” – Williams Jennings Bryan.

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“It’s Our Turn” is a weekly column that rotates among members of the Echo Press editorial staff.

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