Do We Have A Choice?

Groundhog day. According to tradition, if Phil, the chosen groundhog in Punxsutawney, Pennsylvania, sees his shadow, we are all destined to another six weeks of winter. If he doesn’t see it, spring is just around the corner. Typical of most traditions, the origin of Punxsutawney Phil can be traced to ancient folk lore and religion. We all know a groundhog can’t change the weather or the future, but can we?

Throughout history, humanity has always searched for answers, especially when it comes to our own lives. While we can’t control the weather or the course of world events, its important to realize and take responsibility for what we can control.

We make decisions everyday. Little decisions, like should we sleep an extra 15 minutes on a cold rainy day, or eat an extra slice of pizza — and more important decisions, like choosing our friends, our jobs, where we live and how we spend our time and money. Decisions are simple, but they are not always easy and they almost always have consequences.

Even the most innocent, little decisions can lead to profound repercussions. So we sleep an extra 15 minutes— now we are running late and forget an important file we need for a meeting — or worse, we speed on slick roads and run a red light or cause an accident. Okay, sure, so sleeping in could have consequences, but an extra slice of pizza? How could that hurt? Well maybe one slice wouldn’t hurt, but the pattern can. The smallest decisions have the propensity to snowball into significant situations.

If we are honest with ourselves, we could probably trace back the most life altering events of our past to decisions we made. Its not likely we would — or even should run through all of the worst case scenarios for every decision we make, but it is frivolous to believe that our daily agenda doesn’t matter in the scheme of things. It does!

The 1993 comedy, Groundhog Day, starred Bill Murray as a weatherman who found himself reliving the worst day of his life, until he finally determined that his decisions affected the course of his life as well as those around him. The humorous fictional saga conveyed an important message. The choices we make, make a difference. We are not just victims of what happens in our lives.

The next time you are faced with a decision, even a small one, think before you leap. The path of least resistance or immediate gratification just might not take you where you want to go. Choose wisely. You might just find you have more control in your life than you believed.

Casi