58. You always have two choices.

This lesson might have been incorporated into either or both of the two lessons on keeping things in perspective and not worrying. However, I know that I have always solved a lot of problems or arrived at a decision by remembering that human beings have been granted the gift of choice. Actually, we have been doubly blessed as we have really been given two choices whenever we encounter a problem. 

For example, if we are faced with the dilemma of buying a new car, then we have two choices. We can keep our current car or we can shop for a hot new model. If we keep Old Bessie we no longer have a problem. If we want the Tesla supercar, then we have two choices. We can pay cash or we can finance the purchase. If we pay up-front we are happy. If we want to take out a loan, we have two choices. We can take a short term loan with high payments or we can spread the purchase out over 84 months. Whichever choice we ultimately make, we will have solved our original dilemma by looking at the options (choices) and arriving at a decision. 

This "two-choice" strategy can apply to material purchases or in our dealings with work, our co-workers, our family,  or our friends. When a situation requiring us to make a decision pops up, we can always either just accept the situation as it is or we can choose to do something about it. If you are offered a 1% raise at work and don't like it, your two choices are either accept it or propose a counteroffer. If your proposal is not accepted you then have two different choices you can stay at the job or you can choose to quit. If you quit you then need to look for another job … and the procedure continues until you become Chairman of Microsoft. 

A lot of people often chose to be an "acceptor". They will just say "yes" and then be unhappy ad infinitum. Happiness requires us to sometimes make tough decisions to change our circumstances. My simple "two choices" procedure may help get you there! You can always accept the current reality or you can always do something about it. The choice is yours!