Are My Choices Better? Yes!

Do I think my way is better?  Yes.

When I say this, I find that it often upsets others.  It upsets the status quo.  It challenges the comfort zone.  It shakes up the norm.   Because when the question comes “Do you think your way is better?”  We’re socially conditioned to think we’re supposed to say “No, everything is just fine, no matter what, there is no better choice….” blah blah blah.  But honestly what kind of watered-down, diluted, weak kind of life is that to live?

Why do we make choices?  What are we ‘choosing’ when we chose?  When we shop, we try on two pairs of jeans, we buy the ones we like better.  When we buy books, we browse the choices and buy the one we want to read because we feel we will like it better than the others.  When we chose our spouse, we marry the person who is better than the other suitors.   It’s okay to think something is better.  What’s more, it’s okay to use our judgment.  It’s okay to have opinions.  It’s okay to chose what we feel is better for our lives and it’s okay to recognize contrast.

Lately, it seems to me that so many people, especially parents, are so afraid to feel firm in their choices because they are terrified to offend someone elses choice.  And the sad part is, that they are partially right!  Very often when we speak our mind with any kind of solid ground, someone else takes it upon themselves to feel inadvertently offended because they do something different.

Folks, just what kind of fragile society have we become? Why is someones different way of life so offensive?  Why are we so weak in our own choices, why do we make such frivolous decisions, why are we so dam wishy-washy in our ways, that we get ourselves all ‘offended’ when someone does something differently?

Case-in-point: Schooling vs. Home Education.   I can’t tell you how many times I’ve been on the receiving end of very ironic attempts to ‘bully’ me into saying that school is okay and that home ed is not ‘better’.  Why? Why should I say that? Why should I betray my own parenting decisions to stroke the insecure ego of someone who lacks the fortitude to believe in their own choice?  I don’t ask anyone to tell me that my decision is better for my family. I know it is!  I made a very well-researched and deliberate choice and I’m completely confident and have zero need for my peers to validate my decision.

I wrote a related post a while back which you can read here: Yes Home Education is BETTER!

…and the subject was recently addressed again briefly on the show and then in a blog post by the show’s producer, which I’m sharing below.

I think it’s very important that we as parents start allowing ourselves to use our judgment, acknowledge contrast,  make decisions and allow ourselves the confidence in making thoughtful, intelligent choices.

A different choice does not mean I think I am better than you.  But I do think I made a better choice for my family.  And YOU SHOULD TOO!  I urge you to believe that your choice - even if it differs from mine - is better.   If you don’t, then you perhaps you should examine your choice!

Please my friends, don’t let yourself get watered-down.  Be who you are and be it completely, and with the audacity that your life deserves!