Aware of Your Choices

Working on my master's degree in transpersonal psychology at ITP, I did an exercise that I wanted to share with you.  It asks whether or not we are aware of the choices we make and whether or not we like those choices.  Below is a snippet of that exercise.

Though I am not sure I have actually ever asked the question, “Am I aware of the choices I make?” I realize after completing this exercise that for the most part I am aware.  I choose to get up at 6:30 AM so there will be enough time to get myself and my sons ready and off to school.  I choose whether or not I eat breakfast before we leave and I pay attention to what I choose to eat.  I choose to come home (or go to the grocery on a specific day each week because it is less crowded) and head to my office.  I choose to work from home.  I choose to read my email first thing.  I choose whether I am going to work on business or school work first.  I choose what I drink at my desk and I choose not to randomly snack.  If I have a snack in the morning, I pay attention to what it is I choose to eat.  I choose to inquire about my son’s day at preschool when I pick him up.  I choose to arrive early to pick up my high schooler.  I choose to ask about his day as well, and I choose to listen to him.  In fact, I choose to try hard to be a “cool mom” and not embarrass my teenagers or harp on them :-)  I choose to find something tasteful and healthy for dinner.  I choose to work together with my husband on our business.  I choose to watch a movie occasionally. 

I choose, I choose, I choose.  As I sit here thinking about what I do not choose to do and just let happen, I look at my desk.  Right now, it is quite messy with a pile of school work here, a pile of business work there, a pile of SLB notes over there, a stack of artwork and Christmas cards my youngest has created piled on the corner, my cell phone and iPod tossed on top, and so on.  Part of me says I have just let this happen without thinking.  Sometimes I would agree, but other times I believe I have chosen to leave it this way because I have chosen to do other things instead of taking the time to straighten up my desk.  This exercise leads me to believe that I normally am aware of my choices.

Now, do I like those choices?  Except for my desk, YES!  Do I like choosing to do laundry or the dishes?  Actually, yes, because there is a sense of pride and joy in knowing that there will be clean dishes to eat off of and clean clothes to wear.  Now, I don’t like a messy desk or baskets of laundry waiting to be put away, but I know the consequences of my choices and I choose what is most important to me first.         

So, my dear friends pay attention to your actions.  Do you actively choose to do the things you do?  Are you pleased with those choices?  Be aware and mindful within your daily life. Every move you make has a consequense - good or bad.

Photo by Han van Vonno