THERE are strange, hidden lines that run between each choice of ‘yes’ and ‘no’. Lying between a seemingly black-and-white decision, between the seemingly well-defined boundaries of two different routes, are silent yet formidable paths that remind us of how little we sometimes know about the choices that we make. Some people may go so far as to say that choice is an illusion; however, this is not true. The reality of a choice is only as elusive as we allow it to be. Before every choice we make, there is a glimmer of clarity we receive—something that may not show us what is right, but at least shows us what our future will feel like if we choose it.
Our lives are often centred around consequences—what happens after a choice is made, and how we can live through those outcomes comfortably. We should instead focus on the action of making those choices in the first place. It is not the things that happen to us which make up our days. Rather, it is the things we choose to do that define them. The key to peace and happiness lies in becoming comfortable shouldering the responsibility of making the choices that shape our lives, and not in becoming comfortable living through the things that happen to us.
One of the defining characteristics of the modern world is its complexity. As a result, it can be a little more difficult to know whether a choice we are making is right or wrong. For instance, the simple act of printing out a document can mean that we are willing to harm trees by using paper. The choice to eat a steak instead of a salad is not as personal as it seems; it can, in fact, affect the environment by increasing our carbon footprint. Even purchasing a bottle of fruit juice in a single-use plastic bottle is a choice that has an impact greater than ourselves.
This new complexity in the choices we make may initially seem like a burden. On the contrary, it is actually a gift. In the past, it was not as easy to understand the impact of one’s choices. One could live an entire life engaging in harmful behaviours and dangerous choices without ever understanding the extent of the damage they cause to themselves and to those around them.
For instance, not more than 500 years ago, it was very common for makeup to contain extraordinarily dangerous chemicals like arsenic. Similarly, everyday objects such as watches, hats, and glazed ceramic items were made with radium, mercury, and lead. Today, we stand appalled at how easily one can be poisoned in daily life, without even realising the harm being done. In the past, when those objects were used, the dangers were either unknown or the public was simply not well informed.
The information we receive daily may seem overwhelming. At times, it can feel impossible to make the right choice, no matter what we decide to do. When such thoughts overcome us, it is helpful to reflect on the importance and beauty of being well-informed and autonomous. As a generation gradually assuming more responsibility for our world, we may not always know what the best path is, but we can certainly try our best to discover it by gathering information and listening to experts.
Everything we do in a day has hidden consequences. Even choosing to do nothing has its own consequences. As such, we cannot resign ourselves to making choices passively. We must make a conscious effort to live life in a manner that makes the utmost use of the knowledge we have been gifted with—in the smallest lifestyle choices we make and in the great decisions that can impact the wider world around us. We are often told that knowledge is power, but knowledge is only powerful if we choose to use it in powerful ways.
