Choice, Circumstance

            We all have choices. While we are to some level a product of our circumstances, the effect of causes beyond our control, we have some limited level of freedom. It is true, unfortunately, that some people have far more freedom than others. All of us, however, have at least a little bit. With our choices we create change. This is a reality, as change is the only constant, and our decisions to act or not act shape the world around us. Change, and taking action to bend it to our will is something that has been discussed in accordance with Acceptance Theory; a conscious change in how we view the world and others is essential for such a belief to succeed. It is, in effect, the only way to change our current ‘effect’, our circumstances.
            In some sense, our choices define us. Quite literally, this is the case in regards to some aspects of identity. Some may choose a specific hobby to engage in. Others might prefer a specific hairstyle, or a type of food. In another sense, our circumstances also define us- different aspects of our identity. We are, according to race, part of one(or many) races dependent upon who our parents were- a circumstance beyond our ability to change.
            One could imagine that our choices relate to freedom in the way that our circumstances relate to control. While it is true that our circumstances sometimes determine the choices we have available, the reverse is also true, where the choices we make in those circumstances again allows us to create different circumstances, for better or worse.
            Why, then, do so many people choose to stagnate in their circumstances, or worse, create even more toxic ones with their choices? This question is one that is not asked often enough, earnestly enough. As with cause and effect, the asking is not enough. An answer must be found, but for that, the circumstance must be understood as completely as possible. More often than not, it is more than a simple choice to do nothing, or to make the bad decision. Sometimes, the bad decision is the best of a slew of bad options.
            It seems in this life there are more bad options than good options. In the day to day, we console ourselves for our decisions based off of our intentions and remind ourselves how little choice we actually had; that if a better option presented itself, we would surely take it up instead of whatever we have decided upon. This relates to freedom and control where ignorance is a controlling factor; if a better means exists and we do not know it, then from the perspective of our minds, there are no good choices, only less awful ones.
            While we understand this for ourselves, we do not often understand it for other people. Perhaps we can see options that they cannot, and we judge them, rather than lift the veil of ignorance to make those options available. Of course, there is also the possibility(and often, reality) that the options that we see that the others do not are no options at all- and we would realize this if we saw such from the perspective of those others. Perception. We continue to judge people for situations we do not understand, and forget in doing so(particularly when we are judged) the existence of perspective and knowing beyond “They don’t know me.”
            We need to know each other. We need to make plain our circumstances and our thoughts, and understand truthfully the circumstances and the thoughts of others. We will find that our circumstances(like ourselves) are all rather similar, and therefore the limitations can all be similarly defeated. First, however, we have to recognize these limitations, both within ourselves, and those created by the world(and other people) around us. Once we know this, we can make better choices for ourselves and those around us. There’s no need to make the best of a bad situation if we can simply create a good situation. The only thing in our way is a lack of imagination.