Choice and consequence

We always have a choice, and each choice always has consequences. This morning, I could take the shorter, more direct route to work, that takes me through town, or I could take the longer, more scenic route that takes me along the river. Neither is more right, but they both have different consequences.

If I take the short route, I will get to work earlier and may squeeze a few minutes of extra productivity out of the day. If I take the long route, I will arrive later at work, but possibly in a more relaxed and happy mood, having had the chance to soak up the beauty of nature along the way. All well and good, unless the leisurely journey makes me late for a critical meeting, or I have an urgent deadline that needs meeting.

Or to take an extreme example, today I could resign from my job and dedicate myself to pursuing a hobby I am passionate about. Chances are, I will decide to keep the job, because the consequences of no income are more dire than the joy of spending more time on something I enjoy. Hence, every day, we constantly weigh our options on the scale of choice and consequence. Good choices are when the positive rewards outweigh the negative consequences. Simple as that, and yet also inordinately difficult to get the balance right.