Choices

Why do we like to have choices? If given the option, most people would go for a life full of choices and opportunities, rather than one narrowed down by a path with a few turns. Who wants to have a destiny predefined for them, where the choices you make only lead you to more or less the same thing? Does it make life meaningless, to have choices that don't have great consequences to you happiness on the grand scale of things?

Mm. For some reason I hear a unanimous yes.

It's all about control. People like to feel they have some say in their lives, that they make their own minds up, that they decide their own destiny. I guess it's why some people reject religion. The concept of having someone prechoosing that path; it makes them so insecure. Why is that? Surely a predefined path means that path is most probably will secure you to some destination.

It's walking through a unknown land in the dark. You wouldn't risk walking among the growth hoping you won't step into mortal danger. Why would you stray away from the path that is already there?

I digress. This post wasn't supposed to be about religion.

Sometimes paths are chosen for you because it is best for you. That is, follow that path and you will come to no harm. Who does that nowadays? It's all about taking the extreme option, riding that rollercoaster that is life, with all the hurt and the pain and the scars to show for it. In taking risks, you have the chance to gain more.

But at the same time, lose everything.

Ever since I had started uni I have been thinking about a choice I might have to make. On the one hand: to be remaining with what is easy, familiar, and likely to grant you a moderate amount of happiness. Whats wrong with that? Well on the other hand: to live in the unknown - experience things as they come, or as they go, possibility of great happiness, but also great sadness, as such happiness is usually short-lived. Isn't that what life should be about? Surely I have time when I am old to hang on to those things that are familiar. Surely I should be grabbing life by the reigns now?

Maybe I should just stay in the carriage, princess that I am. OH but the curiosity. Then again, curiosity did kill the cat.

I'm not saying that I don't get a say in my life. It's just at the moment it's on autopilot, and I can't decide whether to break away from this destination. On this journey, there is one other passenger on board besides me. If I change my mind now, there's only one parachute.

Funny. Having to choose whether or not I should have the option to choose.

Everything begins with a choice.