In a world of options, great choices rule

Recently, the Minister of Commerce and Industry, Monique Nsanzabaganwa cautioned youths against the use of illicit drugs. She stressed that it is wise to choose the best options in life. The world avails many options however; it is one’s choice that counts. Options are either positive or negative but a choice should always be positive. Let’s dwell on the issue of choices, for they make the best out of us. Wealth, addictions, good-friends, often depends on choices. In a nutshell, a choice is the key to success or a lifetime misery. “Our decisions shape our lives. Made consciously or unconsciously, with good or badConsequences, they represent the fundamental tool we use in facing the opportunities, the challenges and the uncertainties of life,” Writes John S Hammond, Author of Smart choices. Why the young prefer the badIt takes a brave heart to make great choices, especially when it comes to young people.Teens, youths and children worldwide have become slaves to alcohol, drugs, prostitution, and ignorance because of one wrong choice. The following accounts for choosing wrongly; Peer pressure; In schools, teens/youths mimic their friends, hence making decisions without thinking twice. Situations; Being orphaned, growing up in broken homes or poverty greatly influence choice making. Pop-star Chris Brown battered his girlfriend-Rihanah, because he had grown up with a step dad who often beat up his mother. It’s cool; Anything dubbed cool, teens often don’t think twice about doing it. Cool determines how teens dress up, talk, go about their activities and where they hang out. How to make smart choicesSurely choices are a necessary evil, but how can we choose the best ones, among all the available options. Focus on what’s important:You have many options at your disposal but choose what’s the most important? Good choices have long term impacts:Think twice about anything that you feel might bring short-lived happiness. Short- lived choices have brought long term misery. The likes of lust, drug-abuse, dropping out of school will only RUIN life. Look at the long-term impacts of your decisions, living for the moment is not for the 21st century youth. Look into the future:Where will your decision put you, say in the next ten years? Real people always think ahead of time, it will help them concentrate on the best, depending on their target plans. All the influential people had to sacrifice choices for more tangible decisions. A good decision is personal:We should always consider others’ advice to decide but never let them decide for you. Weigh all the options, think hard, aloud if it’s necessary and then, come up with the best of choices. lillianean@yahoo.com