“You are free to choose but you are not free from the consequences of your choice.” Imagine waking up in the morning, and not feeling like getting out of bed. In such a situation, you will be faced with two choices: get out of bed and prepare for work or, stay in bed and call in sick. Now, your tiredness could be as a result of going to bed late the night before because you wanted to finish seeing a movie, or you stayed up late because you were on the phone with a friend, or because you simply couldn’t get some sleep early enough. Whatever had happened the previous night now has a consequence -stay in bed or drag yourself out of bed. Whichever choice you make will also come to you with its own consequence. This implies that every choice you make has its attendant consequence, which in turn, also has its own consequence. In other words, every choice has unending consequences. To put it simply, in life and at every phase, you will continually be confronted with different choices and you will almost always be free to choose. However, though you are free to choose, you are not free from the consequences of the choices you make; be it good or otherwise.
The thing about our choices is that after we have made them, they turn around to make or mar us. When you choose an action, you consciously or unconsciously choose the consequences of that action along with it. If there is a consequence you desire to experience, then be sure to make the choice that guarantees it. You are free to choose your path, but you can’t choose the consequences that come with it. The truth of the matter is that, in life, making choices is inevitable. More so, as you grow, situations and circumstances will always present multiple choices to you; and these choices are empowered to direct your path in life. Additionally, the numerous daily choices you make will in turn influence the outcome of all areas of your life. Happy Reading!
YOUR VALUES
Each day, we make numerous decisions and choices: some major, some minor, but nonetheless, all important. Our aim mostly is to make the right choices so, we strive to make favourable decisions but sometimes, we make mistakes. As quoted above, American stress management specialist, Dr Kathleen Hall opines that the outcome of your life is the product of your choices in life. You have the power to make good choices or otherwise; so, you are responsible for the outcome of your decisions. Can this be overemphasized?
WHAT ARE Values?
Values are basic and vital opinions that you hold dear, which in turn inspire your attitudes and actions. They are the motives behind the resolute actions that you take. Your personal values are the standards with which you evaluate people, actions, things, situations, etc. Sometimes, you can also be influenced by the values of the people you hold in high esteem, e.g., your pastors’, your teachers’, your parents’, or your friends’ values. This explains the adage: “Show me your friends and I will tell you who you are.” You can hardly ever be separated from the values of the people in your inner circle. You can’t be friends with a man of questionable character and insist you are not like him. If you aren’t like him, what do you discuss when you get together? Your discussions will always centre around your values so how can you not be like him? Don’t Birds of a feather flock together?!
A lot of young people are off the track of destiny fulfilment today because they are in unhealthy alliances with characters whose values are not godly. The types of friends you keep is an indicator of the future you are working towards. Friendship is a determinant of not just what we see but also, how far we can see. You need to sit down, and clearly outline your personal values in terms of character, work and life. Does where you are today look like the path that will lead you to where you want to be tomorrow? Remember that you can make the choice, but you cannot dictate the consequences! The truth of the matter i that the values you hold dear will influence the choices you make in life. So, what are your core values? Love? Hatred? Integrity? Dishonesty?
Kindness? Meanness? Hard work? Laziness? Selflessness? Self-centredness? Godliness? Profanity?
Accountability? Irresponsibility? Do you allow the world to dictate what is in vogue to you as a child of God or do you continually abide in God’s presence through His Word? It is a free world: you are free to fly, you are free to mingle, you are free to speak, and you are free to express your opinion but remember, freedom to do whatever you feel comfortable doing has its attendant consequences. Most importantly, the scripture is very expressive on the issue of choices and decisions; we are answerable to God for every bit of it.
HOW TO MAKE
CHOICES
Life is all about making choices: some good, some, otherwise. However, you must do your best to make the right choices and at the right time, too. And when you erroneously make the wrong ones, do your utmost best to learn from them and retrace your steps before it becomes too late for you.
Making the right choices can make a whole lot of difference in your life, aid your success in life, and release great consequences on your path. Truthfully, the path to success may not always be easy, but making right choices will give you an edge in life; even over others who may think they are taking the easy way out. Especially those whose forte is taking short cuts.
When you consider the benefits of making the right choices, its consequences, and the fact that you honour God when you do, you will be encouraged to keep it up. Being obedient to God’s leading is a choice which will consequently strengthen your relationship with Him and help you grow as His follower.
God has given us the liberty to make choices. Choices such as:
•The kind of life we want to live.
•The kind of environment we want to live in.
•The choice to be happy or otherwise.
•The choice of how to react to issues.
•The choice to take responsibility for our actions or blame others for our lapses.
•The choice to be a winner or a loser.
•The choice to emulate good people or not.
•The choice to be corrigible or not.
•The choice to keep good company or not.
•The choice to stick to our old bad habits or change for the better.
•The choice to seek help or remain adamant.
•The choice to be mentored or not to be mentored.
•The choice to live a straight lifestyle or pretentious lifestyle.
•The choice to be single hearted or inwardly twisted (double lives).
As much as God has given us the liberty to make choices, we however cannot dictate the consequences of those choices. Check out these inspirational words of wisdom that can aid you in decision-making as you journey through life. Ensure that the choices you make reflect your hopes and not your fears.
(1) Life is about choices. Some we regret, some we’re proud of Some will haunt us forever. The message:
we are what we chose to be. – Graham Brown
(2) Life presents many choices, the choices we make determine our future. – Catherine Pulsifer
(3) Taking risks and making choices is what makes life so exciting. – Amy Poehler
(4) To improve your life, be prepared to make new choices and decisions. – Brian Tracy
(5) Life is a matter of choices, and every choice you make makes you. – John C. Maxwell
(6) Sometimes, it’s the smallest decisions that can change your life forever. – Keri Russell
(7) I believe that we are solely responsible for our choices, and we have to accept the consequences of every deed, word, and thought throughout our lifetime. – Elisabeth Kubler-Ross
(8) The choices that we make in our life indeed determine the kind of results that we experience and the quality of the life that we live. – Sumeet Jain
(9) I discovered I always have choices and sometimes, it’s only a choice of attitude. – Judith M. Knowlton.
(10) Any decision I make is the biggest decision of my life. – CarmeloAnthony
(11) We are the creative force of our life, and through our own decisions rather than our conditions, if we
carefully learn to do certain things, we can accomplish those goals. – Stephen Covey
(12). Your decisions will influence and affect your ultimate destination in life. – Wole Oladiyun
CHOICES & CONSEQUENCES
“Your choices are made in moment, and yet their consequences transcend a lifetime. “ -MJDeMarco
Yur present life is a result of the choices you have made until now. As such, if you do not like the results you are getting, start making better choices. And if you do like the results you are getting, stick to the choices you have been making. However, irrespective of which side of the divide you find yourself, you must always aspire to get better. How do I mean? You must take these three Cs: Choices, Chances, and Changes as important parts of life for there is always room for improvement. So, make a choice to take that chance or your life may never change. Every aspect of your life reflects the choices you have made how far.
