Always a Choice

On the left side, we see people with a physical disability begging, at the mercy of strangers. On the right side, we see the a younger man who looks at them, observing how despite of their disabilities, they still had a choice to best adapt and find a way for themselves in this world. This artworks portrays that even in the most difficult situations, we still have a choice. Of course, if we intellectualize this whole subject, we can end up in all sorts of discussions. Maybe the old man just can't take it anymore or who knows what his life was like.. that is, if we're still watching the artwork. If we speak about the subject, then we might end up in various other topics. Maybe there is always a choice, but what about when we choose and attempt to make one of those different choices and fail, the natural inclination is to think there must be something wrong with us. That we are stubborn or lazy or lack willpower or we’re resistant or don’t really want to do that choice. Because if we wanted to we would just do it. The majority of our thoughts, feelings, and behaviors are the result of automatic brain processes. We operate on autopilot most of the time because that’s how our brain is wired. The conscious part of the brain which is the part that thinks logically, sets long-term goals, and can imagine things being different (the source of the desire for change)m processes only about 40 bits of information at a time. The part of the brain that runs us the vast majority of the time, which is completely uninterested in our long-term goals and is intent on maintaining the status quo, processes a whopping 11 million bits of information at a time. When it comes to our immediate thoughts, feelings, and reactions, there’s no contest between the non-rational unconscious part of the brain (processing 11 million bits of information) and the rational conscious part of the brain (processing 40 bits of information). In almost all cases, we are going to follow the path of least resistance, go with the flow, and think, feel, and do whatever we’ve always thought, felt, and done before. This is the elephant in the room most change strategies ignore: one part of the brain desires change, while the other part actively resists it. Is it hopeless then to think we can actually make the changes we want to make, in our own lives and in the wider world? No, it isn’t hopeless at all. But it isn’t going to happen just like that! There is always a choice. And we are told not to judge. The text above describes why it is difficult to follow up on a choice and why judging others is always a bad idea. But there is always a choice, even when we don't like what the choice is or feel uncomfortable about it.