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On one of my other accounts, a coven mate started a discussion much like this. What dicisions did you have to make to be walking your path? What beliefs do you you choose to follow? Do you know why you believe the way you do? I'm going through and questioning things I believe and it would be awesome to hear from some of you.

Nothing has more of an effect on the choices we make than our own individual values.

If our values are short-term in nature (what satisfies or gratifies immediately), our choices and decisions in life will tend to be far more selfish, more physically gratifying and self-destructive (e.g., addictions, promiscuity, pleasure-seeking only, and any and all other "looking-before-you-leap" actions up to and including crime).

If our values are more long-term in nature (that which requires initial effort and difficulty to achieve a desired future goal), the choices and life decisions resulting from same will tend to be far more altruistic and beneficial to the spirit and to our progression as a person (e.g., education, athletics, long-term relationships, and any and all other like endeavors that benefit not only the doer but in most cases those around him/her, as well).


- Upir'

You make a good point, values do have a lot to do with the dicisions we make, I for instance made the dicision to join this site... Thus, I must value the communication, friendships, and other things that I will gain from it? Correct?

Well stated Upir,

If a person is intent on impressing their peers, they will opt for the popular trend, or the fringe (to stand out from trend set peers).

If one seeks to enrich their personality, and character (as Upir addresses) they will research various options, and progressively adopt, and follow through to a sufficient degree the path they find suitable.

Dabs, an excellent point within the context of short-term values: seeking to please others, to be "popular," and "cool." Those are key factors, especially in the young, that lead to so many poor decisions for which many end up paying for the rest of their lives: e.g., addictions, unwanted pregnancies, STDs, unwanted abortions and the emotional aftermath of such.

Additionally, seeking popularity also negatively affects the values we find important such that we "learn" not to think for ourselves but, instead, to follow the crowd; a very poor value upon which to base ANY decision.

Thanks for point that out.


- Upir'

We all have a free will in our choices.
It is how wisely we learn to use our free will.

I always avoided the Path of least resistance, a cliche as that comes across it resonated with me.. sure I confess that I swayed to the Sliding Path, yet when I hit the bottom, all the things that compelled me on to that path didn't join me, or went their own way (into tangled brier).

I learned to stir clear of slick worded glossy brochures, and people who speak of ideal as if they are reading from a script.

Anything that promises maximum outcome, for minimum investment, without a reasonable maturity period is a desert path, decorated with potted plastic plants. Personally I have made it halfway down those paths.

for many years i made my choices based on what my family would think, what someone in my church would think, what my friends would think....


somewhere along the road, i came to the conclusion that i needed to be happy with myself.

so my advice is simple. do what feels right in your gut.
if it feels right, my experience is that it probably is.

hope it helps
~W~

Have consequences, most choose silence but there are consequences.
The Politician:
It is easiest to remain silent and fail to fall either side or the sword, yet secretly you back your donor.
The Clergy:
Maintain support by encouraging the crowd yet silently doubt the ethic.
The Doctor: plays safe by reassuring the patient thus avoiding his ignorance.
The Teacher: follows the path of learning in the knowledge of its divisive and often dubious outcomes.
The scientist: follows the forefathers grip of fear, ridicule and withdrawal of funding.

It is more often than not the individual who breaks new ground and initially faces condemnation.
Pasteur/Lister/ Curie/ Darwin/ Franklin/ Kilby/ Miescher to name but a few.

I do mostly choices based on my gut feeling, options, advantages, disadvantages and expiriences.

Sometimes I choose what it is needed rather than what I want...

sometimes i feel i have to make choice, and think of it as a game.

i think of it as a mix of chess and poker.

amazing how well that works for me.
~W~

lol nice LordWolf, i guess that could be a good strategy. ^^

There are many path to follow in our life, and every path will have consequences. To go to school and to get a good education, is a path that will reward you. A path of crime, will make you live life for the moment without a future; The path of crime, make you have an expiration date, while the path of good guy, will take you far into life.. So, we are individuals with our own individuality. To choose the paths, is to paved the future, can be for good or can be for bad.

Unfortunately I have a bad habit of detaching emotions from serious decisions and looking at things in a strictly logical point of view... it can be beneficial as decisions made on pure emotions are often very bias decisions and end up being things we may [please not the "may" here] regret in the future...

I think life in general is just a series of trials... some were successful while others where not.. and it's those choices and trials that have sculpted the person you are today.

I would say...use your emotions to chose to do one thing over the other.... but it's also wise to step back and view the scenario as a whole and make a logical decision, then weigh the pros and the cons of said decisions before following through.