The Choices We Make
By: Nick Wagener
Tags: Discipline, Choices

We wake up, grab our phones, and scroll through the endless rabbit hole of social media, aimlessly “connecting” through a digital world that profits off of our undivided attention that we fail to maintain self-control over, of which we are partly guilty and partly victim. There are many things that occur to us that aren’t our fault, but nevertheless we have the responsibility to make decisions and take action for ourselves independently and proactively. Needless to say, by the time our eyes open in the morning, our fears, anxiety, and eroticism have already been triggered. These are only then heightened throughout our day as we seek short-term alternatives to satisfy our immediate cravings.

In a post religion society, and a pro-spirituality bit of a fantasy candyland — for better or for worse — discipline does not exist. Self control does not exist. A continuous day-in and day-out pursuit of what is pure, good and true does not exist. We claim to be put together, emotional experts and social patrons often through the lens of our online self, and maybe we actually are a few days after reading some self-help book, but in all reality we are, by nature, reactive, self-seeking, addicted human beings who escape to pleasure and comfort whenever possible.

It is easy to blame capitalist America and social media or THEM — whoever THEM may be — for our ever-increasing anxiety and depression. That can partially be true. However, the choices we make daily belong to us. Our choices represent responsibility. We have the choice to own that responsibility, or deflect it and let life happen to us rather than making life happen for us, swinging with the punches, controlling what we can control, not blaming what we cant. We have the choice to set disciplines that put us in the driver seat, rather than falling victim to the physical and digital world that tells us joy comes quick, easy and cheap. There has never been an award-winning movie that didn’t have a compelling conflict. Everything in life that is beautiful requires steadfast hard work and uncomfy shit that doesn’t sound all too appealing. But it’s worth it!

The things we contemplate and the choices we make today, directly affect who we become tomorrow and forever down the line. We have the choice to start our day in quiet, in prayer or mediation. We have the choice to use social media for good. We have the choice to set barriers for how much time we spend online. We have the choice to set regular disciplines that benefit our wellbeing. We have the choice to prioritize relationship. We have the choice to ask uncomfy questions. We have the choice to vulnerably share how we are actually doing with others. We have the choice to work out, eat healthy, and sleep well. We have the choice to engage in empathetic, productive political discourse. We have the choice to immerse ourselves in a variety of content with differing views. We have the choice to vote. We have the choice to see someone beyond their mistakes. We have the choice to look for the good in others, ourselves, and various situations. We have the choice to make the choices right now that prepare us to be the self-aware, socially-aware, joyful, empathetic, loving, forgiving, intelligent, and totally awesome child, citizen, friend, employee, spouse, or parent that our truest, deepest self so craves to become.