The question of whether we get to choose our interests and dreams is more complex than it might seem. The short answer is that you have some control, but not complete autonomy in the matter. Think of it like trying a new food: you can decide to taste it or pass on the opportunity, but the availability of that food and your reaction to it are not entirely within your control.
The Influence of Availability
Before you can even consider whether to try something new, you first have to be aware of its existence. If a particular food isn’t available in your environment—if you’ve never seen it in stores, heard people talk about it, or read about it—you’ll never have the chance to experience it. The same principle applies to your interests and dreams. If you’ve never been exposed to a certain hobby, career path, or field of study, you won’t have the opportunity to develop an interest in it. Your imagination and creativity might expand the range of what’s available to you, but even these are shaped by what you already know.
The Limits of Choice in Liking Something
Even when something is available to you, there’s another layer of complexity: you don’t get to choose whether you like it. Just as you can’t force yourself to enjoy a certain food, you can’t control whether you’re drawn to a particular hobby, subject, or career. You can choose to try something new, but whether you end up liking it or not is beyond your control. For example, you might decide to taste an apple or watch a soccer game, but whether you enjoy the flavor of the apple or the excitement of the game isn’t a decision you make—it’s a natural response.
Influencing Your Experience
While you can’t choose your preferences, you can influence your experience. A fresh, well-prepared apple or an expertly baked apple pie might be more enjoyable than a bruised or poorly prepared one. Similarly, your mood and mindset when trying something new can significantly impact how you perceive it. Being aware of how your emotional state colors your experiences can help you approach new opportunities with a more positive and open mind, even if maintaining a good mood isn’t always easy.
Choosing to Pursue Your Interests
You won’t have access to every possible option, and you won’t enjoy everything you try. Plus, you can’t control what will capture your interest. However, you do have the power to choose whether to pursue the interests and dreams that do captivate you. Once you’ve discovered something you enjoy, you can decide to explore it further. For example, if you try an apple and like it, you might choose to explore other dishes made with apples.
The Choice to Reject or Embrace
There’s also the choice to reject even the things that genuinely interest you. You might decide to stay within your comfort zone, avoiding new experiences and opportunities for growth. But if you never follow your curiosity, you’ll miss out on the potential for discovery and self-development. On the other hand, if you choose to pursue what genuinely resonates with you, you’ll uncover new possibilities and grow in meaningful ways.
Diligently Explore What Resonates with You
In the end, while you don’t have complete control over your interests and dreams, you do have the ability to explore and pursue what resonates with you. By being open to new experiences and mindful of how your mood and environment affect your perceptions, you can make the most of the opportunities that come your way. So, diligently explore what calls to you, and allow yourself to grow and transform through the journey.
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Hope you enjoy!
Keep searching, keep thinking, and keep doing the right thing.
In case you’re wondering, the right thing is anything that leads to a positive outcome and doesn’t cause you harm. There are many right options, so you don’t need to chase them all. Simply choose one or any that you can handle.
by whatastep