I woke up this morning feeling a bit sore from a strained neck muscle. Despite the fact that nobody was pursuing me, I was still determined to go for a run. I chose to run, then I motivated myself, put on my running clothes, and stepped outside, only to be faced with our unpredictable weather. It was wet—very wet. Now, I had another choice to make. To go running in the rain or not.
Our lives are full of choices. With every movement we make when we wake up and roll out of bed, we are faced with crossroads in life. Every step we take from then on, we have to make a choice about which direction we want to take.
I have come to realise that our first choice, from when we were lucky enough to open our eyes in the morning, has a big part to play in how our day is likely to turn out. In essence, the choices we make in the morning can greatly affect the outcome of our day.
I chose to go back inside, put on my waterproof jacket, and headed out again, only to find myself at another cross junction. Now, standing in the rain, I put my right hand in my pocket, and there were my car keys. Again, I had to make another choice. To drive to the gym and run on a treadmill or to continue to run in the rain.
We have been given the power of choice; some may even say we have been burdened with the power to choose. Either way, the power of choice is what separates us from the other animals, who operate on instinct.
Even getting out of bed is a choice until we no longer have the ability to choose.
From our first step onto the floor of life, until we say goodnight, we are faced with different situations to choose from. Each choice we make, no matter how little it might be, adds a layer to our existence and the story of our lives.
Think back to this morning when you woke up. Did you choose to see the world as a new day of opportunity to make a change, or did you choose to just go with the flow?
Did you choose to face the day with determination, ready to take advantage of opportunities that come your way, or did you choose to start the day dreading what the day will dish out to you?
Did you choose to put a smile on your face and others around you with gentle good-morning wishes, or did you choose to say to yourself, I am not a morning person?
What were your first thoughts this morning? What were your choices this morning? Do you think your choice this morning sets the tone of your day?
As one author says, ‘Our lives are not just made up of the choices we consciously make. They’re also shaped by the choices we avoid. As I looked back on today, from the moment I got up and decided to go out despite the weather, I realised that my day was filled with choices.
I chose to go to the gym; I chose which e-book to listen to when I ran; I chose which locker to use; I chose which treadmill to use; and I chose when to stop so that I don’t hurt my neck further.
Can you imagine what life would be like if we lost the ability to choose for just one day?
No matter how small, each choice we make or choose not to make has a part in our life blockbuster.
When confronted with a situation, most of us choose to take the easier, broader way out rather than the difficult, narrow path. It’s only natural, you may say, but is it really?
We choose to avoid the pain of delayed gratification by satisfying our immediate desires.
I even chose to write this article this evening because it’s easier than finishing my essay, which is due in 48 hours.
When I hear ‘I don’t have a choice,’ I always want to remind the speaker that, ‘Yes, you do! Because not making a choice is still a choice.
So next time, before you say to yourself, ‘I don’t have a choice’, step back and ask yourself, what is my alternative in this circumstance? Voila!
The answer will likely pop up in your mind, almost visual enough to stare you in the face, but the image you see in our mind might be so scary that you just want to look away.
Even with a gun on one’s head, we still have a choice: a choice to want to live or a choice to take a hard road to confront death in the face.
We are presented with countless choices every day. Our desire or prayer should be to have the wisdom to make the right one.
Thank you for choosing to read this article to the end.
You now have two options: either chose to pass it on to someone else or simply chose to enjoy it yourself.
Truly, the choice is yours to make.
By: Chris Kolade
Principal Consultant
United-In-Separation®
https://www.unitedinseparation.com
