Choose

verb: to decide from two or more things or possibilities

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I have chosen the word “choose” to be today’s muse. I’m sure it’s honoured.

We are all faced with a myriad of choices every moment of every day. It can be overwhelming if you stop and think about it, which is why I strongly suggest you don’t, but even that’s your choice to make…

I’ve known a great many people who feel powerless to choose their own fate, as if every decision is made for them. However, I’ve yet to encounter anyone who feels that way and isn’t resentful or bitter about it. It’s natural to want to find your own way in life, and it’s very easy to overlook the countless choices we face every day. If we were more aware of what we choose, would we feel more free? Or more overwhelmed?

Let’s start at the very beginning: a very good place to start. I chose to get out of bed this morning. Please wait before saying “that’s not even a choice” or “everybody does that”. It most certainly is a choice, and for those in ill health (mental or physical) a significant one. Even those of us blessed with good health can make a different choice…

I could have easily not got out of bed today. When my alarm sounded to get me up in time for work, the prospect of staying put seemed quite appealing, actually. Alas, I chose to get up, and then chose to have breakfast. Getting dressed was another choice, as was going to work. Many people don’t really register going to work as a choice, but no one can force you to go. Just because the consequences of not going (in most cases) outweigh the disinclination to go doesn’t mean it isn’t a choice. I may not like getting up at a particular time, at the bidding of a machine, but I do like having enough money to live independently. On balance, I like it more than I don’t like it, which is why I choose to go. Just because neither option is ideal doesn’t mean I haven’t chosen one of them.

Isn’t it strange how we can be crippled with indecision over something as simple as what meal to order at a restaurant, when we make countless choices every day? Why are some choices foregone conclusions – to the extent that we’re not even aware we’re making a decision – while others leave us completely flummoxed? Why do we choose to procrastinate about certain things and scarcely give others a thought?

To choose is generally associated with action, but we may also choose inaction. On my (almost) daily walks, I often pass a wall with words painted on. It says “what your not changing your choosing”. Every time I pass it, visceral rage consumes me at the sight of the incorrect spelling. The fact that the intended message is both very true and well worth being aware of only adds insult to injury. To be so close to having a beautiful, intelligent, thought-provoking wall – only to fall at the final hurdle. Were it not for my peculiar passion regarding matters of spelling, grammar and punctuation, I’d probably laugh. Or maybe I’m missing the point? Maybe I’m supposed to correct the wall message? After all, if I’m not changing it, I’m choosing it, aren’t I? D’you think that’d stand up in court, or would some well meaning, unenlightened soul accuse me of vandalism? Maybe I’ll choose to find out one day…

Now, dear reader, I choose to love you and leave you before I think too much about very tempting, unwise choices!

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