We all have choices to make in our lives. Often our daily choices are easy, such as, what should I wear? For me, I love a visit to the shops for a new outfit. When I find something that is so lovely my thoughts turn next to when I would wear it, but often I really don’t care because if it’s so nice then I may choose to buy it anyway and hope that an occasion for it will arise. Maybe I need shoes to match, although I may choose not to go there. Like most ladies, I have far too many pairs of shoes – well, according to my husband I have, anyway!
Then there are choices that seem impossible – those that change lives forever and that have a far-reaching impact not just on those who make them but those around them too. The recent reflections of D-Day, 80 years ago, are an example – all those young people who chose to go to war. I’m not sure I could have done it but then I wasn’t there and we don’t know how we would react faced with a certain situation.
Thankfully most choices are not so extreme in their consequences as going to war, but even with the smaller stuff a different choice can alter our path in life. It starts with simple things like, should I go out for a date with that person? What about applying for that job – and what if I hate it? Do I buy that house or shall I rent, can I afford the mortgage and all the bills that go with it? Do I get married? Do we have children … and will we bring them up properly?
I have several grandchildren (aged between 14 and 30 years old) and I’m pleased to say that at times they have felt they can come to talk to me when they have had a choice to make in their lives. The 16-year-old has just taken her GCSEs and has had to make the choice to stay on for 6th form, go to college or do an apprenticeship. I didn’t make the decision for her but tried to lend a friendly ear so that she had enough information to make what will probably be the first choice that will affect the rest of her life.
I seem to find that now I am a little more mature, my choices are easier. They are not going to affect me for a further 50/60/70 years, but just for the short-term.
Once a choice is made, we shouldn’t stop and think we’re sorry we made that choice – no one wants to live a life full of regrets. We should try to be happy with the decisions we make, and if we don’t like something we should try to do something about it. Sometimes this might be difficult to do because we think of the other people it will affect, but sometimes we should make a choice to do what is the best for ourselves.