“The Importance of Choice”
Tags: Speech, Choices, Perspective, Empowerment

“The Importance of Choice”

This I Believe

I believe that all choices are important. When I look back on all of the choices I have made my mind automatically goes to hundreds of terrible decisions. What could I have done different? Where would I be if I hadn’t done that? But when I really think about it, the bad decisions are what make my life my own.

My choices are what shape my life. If even a single choice in my ancestors lives were different, there is a good possibility that I wouldn’t be here. From something as small as picking up a piece of trash to something as huge as moving to a new country, one decision could open up a whole world of new choices. Although I don’t know if all choices happen for a reason, I know that I am lucky that the endless choices have happened to end up in my favor, and I am extremely grateful for that.

My choices make me feel confident. Whenever I start to wonder why I did something, I remember that I am the one who made those decisions, and I get to decide what I do with them. Out of the billion different possibilities, I get to be here, in this exact place, at this exact time. Everything I have done in my life, weather I regret it or not, will forever make up a portion of my life.

Although some are afraid to make big decisions, I always try to see the positive. The fact that we even get to make our own choices is an accomplishment in in of itself. I choose who I am, and who I will get to be. Even if someone chooses to hate me, it is my decision if I let that affect me. In the past I definitely would’ve, but today I realize that the only person I need approval from is myself.

I definitely won’t say that I don’t have any regrets in my life, because that would be a flat out lie. I just choose to live by my choices and not let them weigh me down. I’ve seen hundreds of people who waste their entire lives trying to make up for mistakes that happened years ago. Until time travel is invented, there is no way to change my decisions, so why should I let them affect me like that? In this society, there is no possible way to make everyone happy. With all of the endless differing opinions, there is bound to be disagreement no matter how hard you try to avoid it. The best that I can possibly do is live by my beliefs and hope that others can do the same.

I try to lead by example through my decisions. As I have said, opinions are constantly butting heads. When I make my choices I am always conscious of what people would think of me saying that. I wonder what impact it’ll have on me long term. However, I always believe that opinions can change. No matter how much I hate someone I am always willing to give them a second chance, even for some of the most unforgivable things.

As stated by Florence Shinn “The game of life is a game of boomerangs. Our thoughts, deeds and words return to us sooner or later with astounding accuracy”. Everyday I make countless decisions. Some big, some small. Similarly, I believe that all actions have consequences. Some big, some small. However, I get to choose if I let those decision affect me. I know that throughout my life, I will continue to make choices best suited to my life, and I will always be careful with what I choose.