BY NIKITA YOUNG
Everything we do is based on choices and every choice we make is ultimately a co-creation of the life we live. Now that our lives have been so connected through technology and media we have the opportunity to get many other views and experiences of the things that we are interested in. What we learn from other people has a direct influence on the actions we take in life. Information comes at us through many avenues and we decipher through it to choose what we deem credible and not credible.
Some people put enormous thought into their decisions. Some are quick decision makers and others may just follow the herd. As the world changes, and corporations work their way into governing positions the personal choices we make are becoming more important than ever. It is also equally important to understand the sources of our information and the agendas behind them. Just because the news or a popular TV show talks about a topic in a good or bad light, it does not automatically mean they are right.
The government funds our mainstream news and television producers, so it’s only natural that political views will be pushed as the right way to think. If all the information you receive is coming from political sources than your values will be more politically influenced. If your information comes from independent sources your values may lay more on your morality and ethical standards.
Your decision is not yours if you have to be coerced into doing something. If anyone has to be coerced with threat to do something against his or her will this is a sign that something is not right. Making decisions out of fear of consequences rather than out of your true moral thought can cause you more harm in the long run. Constantly doing things outside of your will can be demoralizing and cause depression. Standing up for your beliefs and what is right for you no matter what others have to say, think, or do is empowering. It creates a place for others who feel the same to stand with you.
In 2020, we have seen a great transfer of power from the small businesses that keep our communities whole, to the huge corporations that have no connection to the communities they serve. This is because we chose to follow orders out of fear and coercion, rather than out of morality, proper assessment and individual choice.
The way we spend our money has enormous power. Convenience is nice, but also comes at a cost that you may not immediately incur. When we purchase something, or agree to participate in a certain action co-opted by a hierarchical authority, we are ultimately giving our consent to that service corporation that we agree with their values and way of doing things.
There is no right or wrong way to live life, we all see things differently because we all have different personalities and opinions. Being aware of your actions and the effects of your actions can strengthen your ability to do things that are in your best interest rather than what’s “politically correct. ”
We should all be given the respect and space to live the way we envision our lives once we do not harm others. Living in a world of force and coercion is not symbiotic or natural. Standing for what you believe in can be difficult especially if it is against what the mainstream narrative is. Ultimately, it is the people who stand up for their beliefs that preserve all of our rights to have individual thoughts, freedoms and ways of life.