Exploring options

Everything we do in life is a choice.  So when presented with options, how do we know which is the best one for us to choose?  We can ask ourselves the following questions:  What are the benefits of choosing this option?  What are the limitations of choosing this option?  What are the benefits of NOT choosing this option?  What are the limitations of NOT choosing this option?  What values are represented by this option?  What values are not represented by this option?  These six questions are key in determining what motivations may lie behind choosing certain options, and how that choice may affect our relationship with ourselves and those around us.  For example, if we make a choice based on what someone else expects of us, even though it goes against our value system, we may end up resenting that person, resenting the choice, and resenting ourselves for making that choice.  Guilt, regret, shame and negative self talk can all be the result of a simple choice.  So why not make that choice with our values in place, while honoring what will be beneficial to ourselves, others and the Universe?  If there are no options that represent these things, then there is still an obvious choice to make: None of the above!