Chances, Choices, and Taking Responsibility

Every day, we are given the chance to make a choice(s), and for the most of it, we cannot determine beforehand whether we have made the right choice or not, especially in a new situation.

We often think making the wrong choices is a bad thing so much that we go ahead not making any choice at all. But you see, the beauty about choice-making is that our inaction also counts as a choice. So, in essence, choice-making is not only in taking an action but also in our inaction.

The decision not to do a thing is a decision in itself. Not doing that thing is not absolving yourself from making that choice. It is rather, you making your choice.

Every day, we are saddled with making the right choices that will take us a bit closer to our dreams, and because we do not have a map of what the journey will look like, we at best only can make guesses to guide our choices.

However, one thing is sure, the moment we make the first choice, it becomes easier. It is easier in the sense that all we have to do is wait for the outcome of our choice to make the next choice. This means that the more choices we make, the better we become at it.

The destination is not the map. It is simply a destination. We do not even know if the destination exists, but the only way to know is to go on the journey. So, yes, is it a risky adventure? Definitely! But it is better than not starting that journey at all.

Going on that journey or not is a choice you have to make. So you are not absolving yourself of the responsibility of making that choice by not going on the journey. Instead, you are committing to that responsibility. So you need to get this right.

Indecision is a choice. It is your choice.

If you are meant to start a blog and don’t, you have made your choice.
If you are meant to start a podcast and don’t, you have made your choice.
If you committed to a thing and did not see to it, you have made your choice.

But never say you never had the chance. You had the chance to start, but you opted for something easier.
You had the chance to create your podcast, but you caved into your fears instead.
You had the chance to write your blog post, but you gave an excuse instead.

It is simply your doing, and you should own up to it. However, you must also understand that giving excuses not to do a thing doesn’t absolve you of the responsibility of that action either, no matter how good or genuine the excuses are.

To make better choices, you have to be comfortable with making wrong choices and learning from it. Every chance you get is an opportunity to become a better person or not. Frankly, you cannot avoid these chances. You either make the best of them or you don’t.

But do not say you never had the chance. Rather say you never made the best use of the chances you got by making the right choices. Take Responsibility!