`Would you tell me, please, which way I ought to go from here?'
`That depends a good deal on where you want to get to,' said the Cat.
`I don't much care where--' said Alice.
`Then it doesn't matter which way you go,' said the Cat.
`--so long as I get SOMEWHERE,' Alice added as an explanation.
`Oh, you're sure to do that,' said the Cat, `if you only walk long enough.’”
`That depends a good deal on where you want to get to,' said the Cat.
`I don't much care where--' said Alice.
`Then it doesn't matter which way you go,' said the Cat.
`--so long as I get SOMEWHERE,' Alice added as an explanation.
`Oh, you're sure to do that,' said the Cat, `if you only walk long enough.’”
Lately it is greatly emphasized that are choices are ours to make. Quite often the topic of facebook and email spam, quotes are often abundant on the internet. We often hear that we need to make our own choices in matters of love, finance and or just about anything. Often stating that "taking risks will reap great rewards". Do I go out? Do I stay in? Make or break? Mac or PC? Black or white?
This has however created a larger problem. People suffer from the illusion that they choose the outcome. I would like to remind you, dear reader, that in fact you have as much control of the outcome of the choices you make as a person planting a seed has control over the fruit it bears. You may be able to make the choice. Will I plant the seed? If yes then, where will I plant the seed? If there then, will I water it? Etcetera. Will it grow if I do all these things?
The consequence of making a choice is often unforeseen and may have a negative result. That’s how you find yourself in car wreckage at 4am in the morning. The paths leading up to this one point may have had good intentions. Should I turn left or right? Seems like an easy choice to make but you can’t know what will happen on that road, only what you “want” to happen on that road.
The greater powers that be, is often seen standing at the fork in this road demanding you make a choice. Often it believed that this force knows the outcome be it fate, deity, the universe or Schrödinger’s damned Cheshire cat. We are lead to believe that it is our choice to make but in the end the result may be the same whichever way you go. Like a robber demanding your money or your life. What’s to stop him from taking both even if you made your choice?
Spoilt for choice?
Should we just give up and off ourselves since we don’t have control anyway? That would be a silly decision. So would be flipping a coin. Here are some tips.
Yes, you should choose to talk to her. The result may be good or bad but not talking to her is bad or boring.
Never pick Mac. You will end up working with PC anyway.
When in doubt pick the interesting path. If the result is bad, at least you learned/enjoyed the path.
Good or evil? If you have to make that choice you need to consider the long run. Stealing a loaf of bread may feed you but working for that loaf of bread may mean nobody is chasing you while you are trying to eat it. . .
Never “try to walk a mile in their shoes”. A) That shoe is not meant to fit your feet. B) It’s hard to explain to the authorities why you are wearing someone’s shoes.
Whatever choice you make, whichever road you choose isn’t as important as living with the consequences of those actions. So make the choice using your own moral conscience. Sleeping in your cell is better than not being able to sleep. I think I have to reconsider that one a bit...
*Side note* (Fictional food for thought)
The sacred “apple tree” is the tree of choice. We start at the root and the choices we make lead us down different branches. If by some nefarious means we would decide to pick the fruit without following the branch would mean you gained knowledge of what could be. Thus it is forbidden. The forbidden fruit maybe?
