WHAT CHOICE DO I HAVE?!

The universe has a way of aligning us with the things that matter and revealing to us those that do not.  Interestingly, the concept of CHOICE-MAKING has been chasing me in the last four months and presenting itself as the core of human existence – or at least an existence that is free from unnecessary drama, especially as I observe the way we are operating in or with the pandemic. Literally, every time I engage in a conversation with friends, acquaintances, etc. the discussion somehow boils down to making a choice, whether it be to do that which is RIGHT or that which “feels right”, for these are two different things, obviously….

…..Well aahm… this is not quite obvious.

From the moment we open our eyes to the moment we enter into deep slumber, we are presented with a myriad of scenarios in our professional and personal interactions that require us to make a decision to do one thing or the other, throughout each day.  The choice that we make, more often than not, alters our existence in some way, shape or form and can be the difference between misery and peace of mind – long term or short term.

Doing the right thing

The only problem with this choice-making necessity (and sometimes conundrum) is that it is not quite as easy as it appears.  Evidently, many of us grapple with doing what is right and what feels right for one reason or the other. The way I see it, that which feels right satisfies a hunger for instant gratification, whereas doing that which is right is specific to those things that provide long-term benefits that are usually in tandem with one’s spiritual, physical and emotional well-being and typically done for the greater good.    For example:

• Because ice-cream is my vice, I am just gonna go there:  A person who enjoys and craves ice-cream may decide to eat one scoop once every three months as opposed to indulging whenever the desire for ice-cream is heightened (for an ice-cream lover this could be at any given point throughout each day).  One feels right, and one is the right thing to do.

• You love your friends, but they are not a part of your bubble.  Instead of unmasking to laugh and chat, you keep your mask on while exchanging and having fun.  The love remains and you have possibly saved yourself and those with whom you reside, work, etc. the heartache of having to endure the effects of the virus.  Chatting and laughing unmasked feels right, but keeping your mask on is the right thing to do.  The greater good is being considered, regardless of the individual discomfort.

This is just two of many scenarios that could be analogous for almost every choice that we are required to make in life.  These scenarios also (hopefully) highlight the significant difference about what it means to do what is right and what feels right.

The Ultimate decision

Think about this; we always have an option (even when we say, “I never had a choice”).  Arguably, we may not always know what is right in every situation, because we do not always possess the mental fortitude to make that determination.  For many of us, however, the issue is about instant gratification often attached to a fear of missing out on that which we want to be a part.  We want the ice-cream all the time, because of how it makes us feel while eating it – the appetite for it is insatiable, so we ignore the long-term effects of (over) indulging; or, we do not want to offend our friends out of fear of interfering with the relationships, so we go against what we need to do for the long term benefit of ourselves and others.  Regardless of our dispensation, we know, more times than not, what we should do, ultimately.

I cannot imagine nor have I ever been a part of a day where making a choice was not required.  Life is about a series of choices; we are called to do what is right or what feels right.  Understandably, we all have a different moral/ethical compass that guides us and different things that motivate us on any given day.  Some will argue that what feels right is the right thing to do (at least for right now) and are therefore resolved with the consequence that follow. 

Whether we agree with the “right choice or feel right choice” ideology, the choice concept is applicable, regardless.  Whatever guides us, we are abound with choices in every facet of our lives, and we are still required to make a choice…. EVERY DAY OF OUR LIVES!