Leave it to chance: when the choice is no longer ours to make

 

Since I began blogging in 2010, of all the topics I’ve covered in my posts, the vast majority revolve around a common theme: choice. Obviously, there are circumstances beyond our control—our best friend moves away, our spouse severs ties, we lose our job or we become ill. But, we still have a choice (see “It starts with a choice”): how we react to XYZ. If someone insists they don’t have a choice, then what they really mean is they lack determination, resolve, backbone. Free will. Bottom line: Even when we choose not to make a choice, it’s still a choice. When I went back to school as a non-traditional student to pursue my bachelor’s degree, I chose to embark on a new career path. Nearly a decade later, I feel, at times, that my age is a stumbling block to future growth, change. Yet the biggest obstacle is that one day the choice will no longer be mine to make.

What choice do you leave to chance?

Photo courtesy of marin at FreeDigitalPhotos.net.

It starts with a choice

When something bad happens, you have three choices.
You can let it define you, let it destroy you,
or you can let it strengthen you. ~ Anonymous

In the course of my lifetime, ‘bad’ things have happened. A decade ago my family was devastated by a drunk driving accident. Both of my parents died within a five-year span. My adult daughter and I were estranged for months. The definition of ‘bad’ is subjective, but how we choose to react to the bad something is always the same. We can allow it to 1) name the person we are (Victim, Loser, Etc.), 2) cause us to quit or give in or 3) inspire us to better ourselves. Of late, instead of using the bad things as learning tools, I emulate Einstein’s definition of insanity: Do the same thing over and over again but expect different results. It’s high time I jump off the treadmill, count my blessings and stop playing the victim.

What’s your MO when bad things happen?

[Image credit: Stuart Miles, FreeDigitalPhotos.net]

Don’t take my word for it

[Image credit: jscreationzs]

How often do we read something or hear a piece of so-called “newsworthy” information, and it becomes Gospel truth?  Just because it’s published on the Internet, or came from an “expert,” doesn’t mean it should be taken at face value without conducting our own research.  This concept has hit home for me as I’ve been working through my health issues.  Once-upon-a-time, I easily would’ve repeated a doctor’s orders verbatim, no questions asked.  But isn’t it in our best interest to know what we’re doing to our bodies?  Shouldn’t we be armed with knowledge when we’re the ones who must live with ourselves and any short- or long-term ramifications of our choices?  This idea doesn’t apply to just medical situations, either.  I believe we need to look at life, as a whole, as one big test.  Most of the time we’re only given pop quizzes, but there’s always a final exam.  And unfortunately, there are no short-cuts — no CliffsNotes for life.  But don’t take my word for it.

Do you rely on someone else’s word, or do you conduct your own research for validation?