Life Is About Choices

Life is About Choices and the Decisions We Make


In our journey through life we travel along many different roads and paths. There are long and short roads; smooth and rocky roads; crooked and straight paths. There are roads that lead to a life of single blessedness, marriage, and religious vocation. There are roads that lead to fame and fortune and roads that lead to isolation and poverty.

As we pass along these roads and paths we encounter various corners, detours, and crossroads. Some paths seem to easily lead us in a new direction, but often the most perplexing road that you encounter is a crossroad.

With four roads to choose from and with limited knowledge on where they lead, which road will you take? What is the guarantee that you will choose the right one? How will you make your decision?

First, it is important to remember that there are no guarantees.

You never really know where a road will lead you until you take it. This is one of the most important things you need to realize about life. There are so many possible outcomes, which you really cannot control. The only thing you have power over is the decisions that you will make, and how you react to different situations.

It is important to act

Since life offers no guarantee you might as well take the risk and decide on a direction. It is only after you have made a decision and reflected on it that you realize its soundness. If the consequences or outcomes are good for you, then you have decided correctly. Although it is true that one wrong turn could get you lost, it could also be that such a turn could be an opportunity for an adventure. It is all a matter of perspective.

Taking risks is not about being careless and stupid. Here are some pointers that could help you choose the best option in the face of life’s crossroads:

• Get as much information as you can about your situation.

Just like any news reporter, ask the 5 W’s: what, who, when, where, and why. What is the situation? Who are the people involved? When did this happen? Where is this leading? Why are you in this situation? Oftentimes, the reason for indecision is the lack of information about a situation.

• Identify and create options.

Discover what options the situation gives you? Sometimes the options may be few, but often they are numerous. But what do you do when you think that the situation offers no options? This is the time that you create your own. Make your creative mind work. Start brainstorming ideas - from the most simplistic to the most complicated, entertain all ideas. Do not shoot anything down when an idea comes to your head. Sometimes the most outrageous idea could prove to be the right one in the end. If you have difficulty doing this, you can ask a friend to help you identify options, but make sure that you make the decision yourself in the end.

• Weigh the pros and cons of every option.

Assess each option by looking at the advantages and disadvantages it offers you. In this way, you get more insights about the consequences of such an option.

• Trust yourself and make that decision.

Now that you have assessed your options, it is now time to trust yourself. Remember that there are no guarantees. So choose… decide… believe that you are choosing the best option for you at this point in time. You can always change your mind and take a different direction at a later date.

Whether it is the right decision or not, only time can tell. But do not regret making a decision, whatever the outcome. Instead, learn from it and remember that you always have the chance to make better decisions in the future.

When it comes to your job search, you don't have to stay in the same job year after year, you have choices. Assess your situation, brainstorm some ideas, and make your decision, then take action.