SURROUNDING each human being is a small circle of the world that is demarcated by boundaries that they have built during the course of their lives. These boundaries may have been shaped by the values that comprise their identity and the morals they have adopted. Although most people will remain within these circles as they live, there are situations that can lead us to believe it is worth stepping outside of these boundaries, to give up our values or morals for just a single moment. For instance, will we still choose to remain within these boundaries when the world outside promises us an escape from the struggles we are facing? Similarly, if we come face to face with the most important thing we have ever wanted in our lives, would we still be inclined to stay within those boundaries?

Forces like desire and suffering can easily push a human being beyond the lines they have created for themselves. Although encountering moments like these is inevitable, it is not impossible to survive them without losing our identity. As members of a younger generation, we have the responsibility to hold on to our values and refuse to barter the principles of morality just for a quick escape or an easy way to fulfil our desires.

As we grow up, we will come to realise that our choices not only shape our own lives, but also those of everyone around us. Something as simple as where we choose to dispose of our rubbish or what we choose to say on social media can gradually shape the future that we create for ourselves. So, while it is true that many things in our world are more easily attainable with the use of certain shortcuts, we need to remember that the choices we make may not always lead to a contained and predictable outcome. Life leads us to many crossroads, and although it may seem like we are choosing between our own goals or desires, what we are really choosing between is the different kinds of people we aspire to be and the impact we wish to make.

Nevertheless, leading a positive and fulfilling life is not always about avoiding shortcuts and making the more difficult choice. The truth is that our world is an extraordinarily strange place. Although we have attempted to categorise different facets of it as being “right” or “wrong”, we can never really be sure of the validity of these labels. Some actions are objectively incorrect, but under a specific context, they become acceptable. Although some ways of thinking may be objectively righteous, they can quickly create fanatics who are willing to harm or discriminate against fellow human beings. The world is not painted in either black or white, but in several shades of grey that can range anywhere between black or white. Thus, it is clear that objectivity is non-existent in the context of morality. While we can use some of these rules as guidance to direct us, we cannot allow them to be instructions that fully shape our choices.

The key lies in finding a balance as we make our choices—it’s about making decisions in a way that brings us closer to our dreams while at the same time ensuring that we are not pushing others down or sacrificing our identities in the process. Every time we see a shortcut being revealed to us, it is crucial to remember that we are risking something when choosing to take it. At the same time, there is a possibility that we may gain something valuable by taking a risk. This way of thinking helps us see our choices in a wider perspective and notice the way that they affect not only us, but the world around us.

As human beings, we can never really predict the outcome of a choice we make, but we can live with the comfort of the truth that lies behind our intention. We must remember that while we will always have time to look for things we have not found yet, we can never truly recover the things we have lost due to a poor choice.