Life is Different Because of the Decisions We Make
The author explains that the other Wes Moore’s life is different because he made different decisions when it came to life choices. Have you ever made a decision that you believe could have altered your life path?
The decisions we make significantly influence our life's outcome. Every choice, no matter how large or small, molds together and steers our lives in specific directions. The Other Wes Moore involves two children, both with the same name and same environment but drastically different because of their different decisions. They can either be direct consequences, such as following a specific career path or living somewhere that directly affects your lifestyle and health. There are also small, unchanging, choices that build up over time that lead to such as daily decisions about dieting and physical movement, and budgeting can affect someone long term.
While the author Wes Moore is a Rhodes scholar, and renowned author, the "other" Wes Moore is surviving a life sentence without parole for the murder of a policeman. They both made the decisions that led them to these points. While neither of them had control of their upbringing and the factors out of their control definitely influenced them, they still made these decisions. Even if those decisions were not made by them, but for them, it still affected their life. The author Wes ends up enrolled in military school and focuses on education, which changes his life. While the "other" Wes stays in the drug business and finds himself in prison.
I made decisions every day. I choose to go to work to be financially stable. I choose to go to the gym to better my body for the future. I choose to socialize to remind myself that I have a community. Every decision I make alters my path.
I chose to come to New Jersey City University instead of Montclair for the sole reason that they offered me a scholarship and Montclair did not. My path could have been different had I gone to Montclair. I would not be as solvent, though my education would be different. My major would be tailored more specifically to my interests and I would grow into a contrasting person. While the decision of choosing which college to go to does not have as drastic outcomes as ending up in prison or not, it is still affecting the path I follow. Networking opportunities would be different, my social circle would be different, my stress levels would be different, and my outlook on life would probably be different.
While this next decision was made for me instead of by me, just like Moore's decision for military school, it still affected my path. I was born in Florida, though at a young age, my mother moved us out and up to New Jersey. I would not be the same person I am now had I stayed. My opinions would not be the same, my education would not be as strong, and my voice would not have the ability to be heard considering where I lived before. She moved out for the greater good of her children, a decision that benefited us in the long run. My short-term decisions, such as feeding my frog or playing video games to destress, will still change my path because I could always be doing something else.
There are a million things to do, and I am lucky that I can decide and follow the path I want to create.
The decisions we make significantly influence our life's outcome. Every choice, no matter how large or small, molds together and steers our lives in specific directions. The Other Wes Moore involves two children, both with the same name and same environment but drastically different because of their different decisions. They can either be direct consequences, such as following a specific career path or living somewhere that directly affects your lifestyle and health. There are also small, unchanging, choices that build up over time that lead to such as daily decisions about dieting and physical movement, and budgeting can affect someone long term.
Each decision has different effects either opening doors and/or closing them.
While the author Wes Moore is a Rhodes scholar, and renowned author, the "other" Wes Moore is surviving a life sentence without parole for the murder of a policeman. They both made the decisions that led them to these points. While neither of them had control of their upbringing and the factors out of their control definitely influenced them, they still made these decisions. Even if those decisions were not made by them, but for them, it still affected their life. The author Wes ends up enrolled in military school and focuses on education, which changes his life. While the "other" Wes stays in the drug business and finds himself in prison.
I made decisions every day. I choose to go to work to be financially stable. I choose to go to the gym to better my body for the future. I choose to socialize to remind myself that I have a community. Every decision I make alters my path.
I chose to come to New Jersey City University instead of Montclair for the sole reason that they offered me a scholarship and Montclair did not. My path could have been different had I gone to Montclair. I would not be as solvent, though my education would be different. My major would be tailored more specifically to my interests and I would grow into a contrasting person. While the decision of choosing which college to go to does not have as drastic outcomes as ending up in prison or not, it is still affecting the path I follow. Networking opportunities would be different, my social circle would be different, my stress levels would be different, and my outlook on life would probably be different.
VS
While this next decision was made for me instead of by me, just like Moore's decision for military school, it still affected my path. I was born in Florida, though at a young age, my mother moved us out and up to New Jersey. I would not be the same person I am now had I stayed. My opinions would not be the same, my education would not be as strong, and my voice would not have the ability to be heard considering where I lived before. She moved out for the greater good of her children, a decision that benefited us in the long run. My short-term decisions, such as feeding my frog or playing video games to destress, will still change my path because I could always be doing something else.
There are a million things to do, and I am lucky that I can decide and follow the path I want to create.
Hey Mel,
ReplyDeleteAmazing blog, I really like how you talked about the decisions you made in your life and how it altered your future and perspective.
Melody,
ReplyDeleteAn engaging blog connecting the impact of big and small decisions to life outcomes by incorporating experiences of both Wes Moores and of your own personal experiences. Your distinction of self-choices v. imposed choices is also helpful. The graphics elevate the reading experience!