Being Ready
Having been brought up believing in free will and choices regarding my behaviour, I have come to a time in my life where I ‘choose’ to question whether I really do have choices.
If one is to believe that there is no present but rather, only the past and the future, then ‘choosing’ occurs where?
If one is to believe that there is only the present and even our thoughts about the past or future are in themselves in the present then, is ‘choosing’ a present act?
If one is to believe that there is a past, present and future, in what tense is the ‘choice’ made?
Having confused the issue sufficiently, I argue that we do not have choices except for the one actioned in any given moment. We never action more than one ‘choice’ at a time and that ‘choice’, I contend is limited to one. Therefore, logically, we never had a ‘choice’ because that would mean we could make more than one, and we cannot. I know the argument about having a ‘menu’ of ‘choices’. But, although we have a menu to ‘choose’ from, we only ‘choose’ one. Therefore, I contend that, we can only action one ‘choice’ at a time therefore, we never really had a ‘choice’ at all.
We perceive living with unlimited ‘choices’ at any given moment but we are regulated by both nature and nurture. Although there is much research on the DNA and Environmental influence in our lives, no one is quite sure on the ratio of one to the other. But combined, they present the ‘blue print’ of our behaviours, regardless of the influence of either on our decision making capability and process, I contend that we are regulated, by this combined program to a much greater degree than we would like to admit. Yes, regulated beyond our control. Controlled to make ‘choices’ regarding any aspect of our lives only, if and when, we are ready. Being ready entails all the energy and experience that ever was, is and will be.
This would explain a lot of our behaviours and their inconsistencies from person to person. Given what we all have been ‘dealt’ to work with, maximizing our efforts through ‘choices’, may not always bring about similar results. It appears that from person to person, our behaviour is different. An example would be that some alcoholics can stop drinking and some cannot even after being exposed to the same level of health related preventive measures and education. Although they may have been exposed to the same education, information, knowledge, pain and suffering, their timing of ‘choosing’ may be different, simply because some are ready and some are not depending upon where they are in their evolution.
It appears that we only choose when we are ready. Becoming ready appears to take time, a lifetime, or perhaps many lifetimes and is beyond our comprehension. The variables that contribute to being ready are too numerous to address. Some are visible to our conscious state and some are not. There does not appear to be neither rhyme nor reason for ‘choosing’ anything at any given moment. It appears to be a random act at best, with some form of rationalization and justification but ultimately, a random act, never the less. For those intuitive, conscientious or ‘in tune‘ with the universe beings, their ‘choices’ may seem to be more timely, clear or supported but that is not always born out. Some of our most certain and sure ‘choices’ turned out to be disasters….or were they simply disasters in ‘informed choice clothing’.
Understanding the above can make life easier. Imagine not imposing our values on anyone who would listen, realizing that they will only accept those values if and when they are ready. There would be no conflict because of respect and understanding of timing of ‘choice’. There would be no confrontation, violence nor war because we would acknowledge that everyone is functioning on different levels and all levels are being maximized by everyone doing the best they can, with what they have, in the moment. And, that ultimately they will ‘choose’ when they are ready, and not before…and so it is.
