Choice

Ladies and gentlemen, I stand humbled. Humbled by a simple revelation. In our lives, we have the ability to choose.

Take the young middle-class man on the city street. Such a cliche. He has his clique, his material possessions, his goals. He has his own personal drama which he lives in every day. This situation he is in, is it of his choice? Or is it a product of the environment in which he resides?

Another example. The impoverished family, struggling to stay ahead, unable even to afford presents at Christmas. Again, a tired example, but nonetheless important. Is this situation a product of their surroundings, of things they can't control? Or is it by their own choice they are this way.

Let us take a look at what the real problem in these two situations are. Both of these situations look dismal on the surface. The man has a chip on his shoulder, believing the world owes him better. The impoverished family has been beaten by chance, bad luck, and perhaps no talent to thrive in their given surroundings. Perfectly understandable arguments. After all, is their not cruelty in this world? Do others not take advantage? Is there not random chance which effects us day in and day out. Of course there is. But, if one is to be objective, one must look at the overall status of these situations as a product of emotion. Looking from this point of view, there is no possible reason to think that these peoples situations are their fault.

Let me explain. I was looking at my life today. I have many things for which I could be angry. I am in a far away country. I have many issues, both physically and mentally. I have plans, goals, dreams, and wishes that continually get shattered due to Murphy's Law. I see so much pain, anguish, and sadness around me. I am a mere 19 years old, and already I feel as though I am middle aged. I can't connect with people on the same level that others do, but still am empathetic and cannot bring myself to hate those who deserve it. I have lost so much of what I wish for, and find myself in a place which I am alone in many ways. I have so many reasons to be sad, to hate myself and my world.

But I cannot bring myself to do anything but chuckle and laugh. At the same time, I have so much to be thankful for.

I have amazing friends. I have a good family. I have my own unique personality, which shocks and amazes people, and in that I find humor. There is much to explore, to learn, to seek in life. There are so many opportunities to help others, to be good, to do something worthwhile, whatever that may be. There are so many moments in which I can simply make memories. There is so much in this world to truly experience. I cannot fathom a reason for being sad, angry, hurt. Alone, confused, frustrated, uneasy, these are all emotions which are normal to feel. I am no hopeless optimist, but a realist. If a situation is bad, one should state that it is bad.

But here is where the choice is. We can either complain about the situation, or we can choose to improve it. Life is all about options. We can choose our state of mind, our state of being, the situation which we are in, simply by choosing a different outlook. It is so simple that so many overlook it. In reality, the answers to so many problems are right there in front of our eyes. We can choose, ladies and gentlemen. We have a choice; either make our lives better or keep them at the state they are in. Simple.

This may not seem like a revelation to some of you. But... take a moment. When you get frustrated, look at your response. Look at it and see if it is the best one. If life seems to be warring against you, ask yourself, is this really the situation I wish to be in? It is your choice. We are in control of our emotions, if we so choose to be. Look at your life objectively and decide how you wish to live.

The choice is yours.