Choices matter

This is a strong warning to all who would heed. In America and all around the world, you are a consumer. You have a choice. You are free to make that choice. Your choices matter. Why does it matter? Because your choices directly affect the most important person you know – “you”. They also affect those around you. They affect those you know and those you may never meet. You can and do make a difference.

As a consumer we are faced with choices on a daily basis. What to wear, what to eat, what to drink, what to read, what to listen to, what to watch, what to drive, where to drive, which road to take, which store to shop, which restaurant to patronize, which show to see, which station to tune in, which team to watch, who to vote for, who to vote against, who to talk to, who to avoid, should I have the last bite or leave it on the plate, should I go for a walk or go for the remote, should I sit down and talk with the wife or go in the other room and play on the computer.

We are a people that takes pleasure in helping each other out. We share our experiences with others in an effort to save them from having the same bad experiences that we have had. We tell others of our good fortunes so that they might find them also, as well as have the hope that they will share their good finds with us. We like it when good things happen and don’t enjoy things that turn bad. Too often we hide our bad experiences because we are embarrassed of what others might think or how they will react if we let them know.

That is not right. Do not be ashamed of your mistakes. And don’t be embarrassed from mistakes or bad experiences that happen to you. Face them and make the corrections that will lift you to a better tomorrow. Share them with others so that they might also be uplifted. And for goodness sakes, don’t make fun of, or belittle, or criticize anyone that thought enough of you to share their telling of misfortune. Be grateful for the blessing. You just might pick up a nugget of wisdom.

As this site grows I will share with you some of my experiences good and bad with the hope of saving someone else from making the same bad mistakes I have made or maybe help someone make some worthwhile choices that will lead them down a better path. Remember that all of our choices have consequences, both good and bad. Seek out the choices that will render the best of consequences. If you have made some bad choices though know this, they do not have to be permanent. They maybe painful for a time, but you can change the final outcome. That is the miracle of forgiveness.

I came up with a simple test for decision making for the simple every day living choices that we face based on Benjamin Franklin’s saying of ‘Early to bed, early to rise, makes a man healthy, wealthy and wise.’ Will my choice help me be healthy, wealthy and wise? If not, then leave it alone. If it takes away, then stay far from it. If it helps build you up, then these are the things you should seek after. I have the acronym HWW in various places around to help remind me of this simple test.

For bigger choices that are more life changing in nature, there are two other acronyms to rely on. CTR or Choose the Right and WWJD or What Would Jesus Do? I do mean life changing though I shouldn’t say that they are just for bigger choices because they can be applied to the simplest choices we make every day and we can be enriched for it.

Realize that the power of choice is one of the greatest gifts we have been given. Use it well and your life will be rich with possibilities. Be worthy of the gift.

I now choose to end this little bit to go into the other room and spend time with my lovely wife. Until next time, be well.

This is Ed Nef with a view from the Farr West.