Choosing Choice

Choice is the silver bullet. It’s freeing, terrifying, and incredibly powerful. Maybe that’s why some crave taking it away from others. Those with fewer choices have less power.

Lately, choice has been a particularly hot topic in our society. At first, I was hesitant to address this, but I want my voice to be heard. I will never understand why we moved away from being a pro-choice nation. Pro-choice. In this model, one can be pro-life or pro-choice depending on what works best for family, faith, and freedom. It was simply the best plan. Which brings me to the overall point of this blog: choice.

A popular mindset in America is that the one with the most money wins, and for better or worse, there is some truth to that. As I write this blog, I am in the best financial health of my lifetime, and it is a winning feeling.

That said, I would still put the power of choice as the most valuable wealth anyone can acquire. There is richness, and then there is enrichment. Choice can give you both. The freedom to choose does not mean your choices are free. There is a burden that lies on both sides of any decision. The only way to live a free and fair life is to maintain your right to make your own choices. The fulfillment of our lives—our accomplishments, failures, and everything in between—should connect to the choices we make for ourselves. Even regret is more acceptable when it's up to you. Looking back on my life, I certainly have regrets, but when I connect the dots, the path comes right back to me. It’s humbling but powerful. I don’t have regret topped with a fundamental sadness that a particular shortcoming was the result of someone else making the choice instead of me. I did it, and I get to own it.

Trust yourself, and more importantly, have the self-respect to safeguard and grow into your choices as much as you do your wallet. It will pay dividends.