No Choice

Have you ever heard the statement “I had no choice?” Unfortunately, that comment is a lie. We always have alternatives. Let’s restate the above remark to say what’s really meant. “Of the options that are available, only one is acceptable for me.”

Here are examples where people might see no option is available, but do choices exist? Example one, Chuck has an important family event to attend. At the last minute his work boss asks Chuck to stay for several additional hours that evening to complete an important project.

Example two, Della, a college student, realizes several hours before class that she has an important paper due that she has forgotten. Maybe Della can resurrect an old high school paper that’s around her dormitory room. It’ll be tight, but maybe the paper can be tweaked to work.

Example three, Sidney and his wife Lucille are going to an important social event that they are running slightly late for. Sidney has just been asked his opinion on the third dress Lucille has put on. Sidney doesn’t like this dress either. His only option is to lie if they have any hopes of being there for the majority of the evening.

Example four, Bill, a married man of thirty years, has found the love of his life (not his wife, Ruth). He fills the only way to deal with his unhappy marriage is a divorce. Bill fills the only option is to be released from the marriage to ultimate happiness with his mistress, Tillie.

In all four scenarios there were other alternatives. Let’s explore them. In example one, Chuck could have told his boss about the situation, taken the repercussions for leaving, or make other arrangements to complete the project. In example two, Della could have explained the situation, and begged for an extension from the teacher.

In example three, in this kind of situation it would have been better for Sidney to be truthful about Lucille’s dress even if they would be late to the event. Lucille was depending on Sidney’s honesty about her clothing for this enchanted evening. In example four, Bill should try marital counseling before calling the marriage quits.

Always realize there are options in every situation. Some of those alternatives may not always have pleasant repercussions, but only you can make the right choice for your lifestyle. It’s time to grow up, and become part of the grown-up world. Be fully alert when you make your decisions, and be ready to accept the outcomes. This may not be warm and fuzzy, but it’s the truth.