This I Believe

The English teachers are school assign an essay to the kids called "This I Believe."   This year they encouraged teachers to participate as well.   I wanted to do it, but I struggled with a topic.   Everything I thought of at first was negative - remember it is the end of the year.    Yesterday I had a revelation, and so today I wrote my essay on making wise choices - a mantra that I use quite frequently.  So here is my "contribution":

   Choices.   I believe that the choices we make define us – not just today but as we journey down the path of life as well.  Because I believe that, I also believe that making wise choices is essential.

    I understand that some choices seem inconsequential.    What you eat for breakfast or which movie you see may not carry the weight of the world.    Other choices need to be carefully considered as the impact of that decision might be life altering.    The challenge is knowing which selections will not matter down the road and which ones might change your personal journey forever.

    We know that decisions about which college to attend, who to marry, what job to take are the BIG ones.   Most people look at those decisions with careful consideration, because we recognize that those types of choices will set the course of our lives.   I think the problem is that we do not recognize that some of the “smaller” decisions we make are just as important, but we do not put very little thought or contemplation into making those choices. 

     My theory is a simple one.   I believe that when we make the wrong decisions about some of the little things, it changes the options for those big choices.   It is the reason why I pray that my own children will make wise choices.   Put thought into action.    Not only to think before they act but to think before they speak.    I desire for them to be able to make choices and not have choices made for them by default because their previous poor decisions have eliminated options.  

    I believe that in making wise choices we will consider what we wear, what we do, how we do it, what we say, and the way we treat other people.   It is often those “little” decisions – of which we make hundreds each day – that make us who we are.   Good or bad, people will have an opinion about you.   Those perceptions are often based on what choices you make.   Make wise ones and those wise choices will open the door to many amazing opportunities.