Do you have a choice?

Often, I hear this :
"I have no choice...!"
"It's not as if I have a choice.."
"If I had a choice, do you think I'd still be here?"

What is your definition of "no choice"? Is it
a) I have no other alternatives,
b) I choose not to think about other alternatives, or
c) I have other alternatives, but I am not willing to take them?

For me, it is definition c). Friends who spoke to me on this topic before will know that I stand by this theory. Why c)? Let's see if I can explain this... ok, for me I believe there is no such thing as "no choice"... A choice is always available.. Everyone has a choice, ALWAYS.. it is only IF they are willing to live with the consequences of their choice.

I know you are not convinced yet.. let me try harder. Say if you are unhappy with your current job (for whatever reason) what can you do? You can
a) Look for another job
b) Get yourself transferred to another department
c) Talk to someone who will be able to change this
d) Learn skills required for another job/ industry

Now if you don't consider all of the above choices, I don't know what to say.. because they are. If other factors such as your capabilities/ confidence in securing another job/ being afraid of the unknown/ having other commitments are stopping you from making the choices, it is another matter altogether. The fact is, you do have a choice. Taking other factors into account and deciding to stay in a job IS a choice. As a result of your decision, you will have to accept and live with the package that comes with this choice.

Likewise in relationships, your choice of staying in an unhappy relationship vs. moving on is a choice. You make the choice, you bear the consequences.

"But you do not understand my situation.." "Mine is different.." "you are not in my position.." I hear you say.. Granted, no one's situation is exactly alike but does it mean that you do not have a choice? Give it a thought, more often than not, it is our refusal to look into other possibilities and unwillingness to change..

I have not found any situation where I cannot apply this theory... except one (My friend had to take up the challenge to prove me wrong.. :-p). His theory is that you cannot choose your parents.. there is no choice for us in this case. Reluctantly I had to agree (before I stubbornly tried to tell him that you can always disown your parents.. hheeyy.... it's a choice...)