Choices

Psychologist Barry Schwartz reckons that "choice has made us not freer but more paralyzed, not happier but more dissatisfied. "

What do you think?  Would you agree with him?

I think that many people, coming from environments with lesser choice, would, as they experience our supermarkets.  Instead of just buying milk, one gets to choose between soy, rice and dairy milk.  Then there is skim, low fat and full cream to choose from.  Then, which brand?  Milk from which country of origin, or which state?

And similarly with other goods and services.  It is so hard to compare the offerings of two mobile phone providers, as their plans are described so differently that it is not easy to see which one suits the consumer better.

Then, comparing ourselves with other people and trying to "keep up with the Joneses" - how much to keep up or how much not to.  What is right for us?

And then, there is also the government telling us what to do.  That we need to have two incomes, be productive economically, as though the economy is the most important aspect of society.  Or to deviate from that.

Choices of which clothes are suitable to wear, which religion to follow, etc.

It is a lifestyle issue.  I think that how satisfied we are depends on how we feel about the choices, and not the choices itself.

Some people willingly live more simply, and feel happy about it.

Last Sunday, I remembered Jesus and His choices.  He could have chosen other apostles, or not have Judas Iscariot among his closest ones.  He could have made it easy for himself by not going to the cross.  But He didn't.  He made his choice based on what He knew would best bring glory to God and what would save the people He loves.

Are choices easy for us?  Are we willing to make sacrificial choices?

What would you choose?  Why?