Sunday, September 11, 2016

The Power Of Personal Choice

Choice means to make a decision regarding the selection of two possibilities. We are confronted with choices everyday, From the time we wake up, until the time we go to sleep, it is estimated that adults make 35,000 choices in the course of one day.

Most of the choices we make happen subconsciously and are made with very little or no thought. Some, such as those that take place in work environments, are compulsory and are based on conditioning. Others, which are conscious and deliberate, are personal. 

They are the ones that mean the most to us because they are volitional; made freely, without influence, and are unencumbered by fear of ramifications. They reflect and document our true desires, in the moment. They indicate a path taken, and make no apologies for paths not explored by alternative choices.

This is personal choice. It's powerful and should be respected.

All choices - including personal ones - carry consequences; they instigate or abort some decision to undertake (or not undertake) some action, such as choosing not to stand during the National Anthem like NFL quarterback, Colin Kaepernick.

While droves of celebrities and President Obama have weighed in on Colin Kaepernick's stand (or lack thereof), the main issue has gotten clouded by judgement. And the main issue is this: personal choice is personal. One man made a quiet personal choice that is being loudly contested by many who want him to make a choice that's congruent with the personal choice they would make. 

This shows lack of respect for personal choice. 

The lone rule of personal choice is that it does not interfere with the rights of others to make personal choices. When those with status, or an avalanche of opposing opinions cause someone to change a personal choice, it becomes a consensual choice instead of a personal one, and loses all of its power.

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