We sometimes take certain things that are very important for granted. The power of choice, for example, is more important than we may even consider. We make choices everyday. When we think, we use our minds to make a choice on what to think about. It is something we really cannot exist without. There are various things we can mention about choices that are made, or not made for that matter.

There are certain things we cannot choose. We do not choose to be born. We cannot choose our parents, or even which family to be born into. We cannot choose to be male or female, or even black or white. We cannot choose our siblings, uncles, aunts, grandparents or cousins. Those choices are made for us. We cannot even influence the choice that is made for us prior to our birth.

There are choices that we can make however. Some of them are extremely important, and they determine our fate in life. The most important choice anyone can make is to choose to acknowledge God. Every human being is born with the need to connect to parents and the Supreme Being. We can make the choice to believe in the only God that exists, or we can choose to follow the belief of others. The choice we make determine where we will be for eternity, It also determines the way we live our lives here on earth.

The next most important choice that has far reaching effects, is who we choose to marry. We may have many people to choose from, but ultimately only one person really counts. This decision is very important, because it can cause us to have a meaningful life or a life full of misery. The person we marry will determine the features of the children we have, if we do have children. Our choice of a marriage partner can direct our path in the direction we want to go, or totally contrary to the path we would like. For this reason a choice should be made only after much careful thought and guidance. We need to be very wise.

The right to choose has been declared a right for Americans. This right is being referred to whether to have an abortion or not. However, giving one the right to choose to have an abortion is basically giving them the right to commit murder. A child that is yet unborn is a helpless human being that has a right to life just like anyone else. This child has not yet developed the gift of speech or communication. He or she is therefore unable to express the desire to be born and to contribute to society. Who knows who that child may become. He or she may be a blessing to many of us in many ways. An abortion deprives not only the child of life, but it deprives us of the privilege of experiencing the good their presence could bring. If each of us was granted the opportunity to have a life, why should we deprive our own child or children that right? Only God has that right, and we are not little gods. I really think it is hypocritical to ensure that a criminal who kills even one person receive a severe punishment, yet billions of helpless babies are being murdered. Yet none of the parents or medical staff is being tried, imprisoned or executed.

Choices are being made to terminate the lives of people who are helpless, sick or elderly so that they do not become a burden to society. I believe it is also called murder. We need to call it what it is. It can not be sugar coated, or pushed under the carpet as if it is unimportant. The people who are guilty are not being charged either.

Some people who struggle and experience undue stress choose to take their own lives. Suicide is also murder. It is totally unnecessary and the guilty persons cannot be charged because they are not here anymore. We do not have the right to take our own life or the life of anyone else. We have been given the gift of life. It is not for us to abuse it for our own selfish purpose. It is something that should be cherished dearly and respected.

We make choices daily. They all have an impact on our lives, and the lives of others. Every choice is significant, whether it took a while to decide what choice to make, or of it was made on the spur of the moment. No choice is irrelevant.

While driving, for example, we make a decision on what route to take. We do not park in the middle of the road, and then decide what choice to make. The decision needs to be timely. When approaching a traffic signal, if the light is green we can proceed, if we are not turning right or left. We do not need to make a choice to stop or go while we are in the intersection. Neither do we make a choice to hit the pedestrians that are in the crosswalk. Certain things we do naturally, because we have formed the habit to do so, or we instinctively do them.

Making a choice is unique. Each person makes a choice according to their individual conviction, It is a right we have. However, when the right infringes on the right someone else has, we have failed to make the best choice available. We can exercise our right to choose, a divine right to do good and not hurt our fellow man, especially the defenseless. We need to be careful that the laws of the land are not more protective of animals than human babies. Let us use our right to do what is right. Let us choose to make peace and not kill. Let us always make the choice to choose to do what is right. We can forget the past. We can wipe the sleight clean and move on. We can seek forgiveness and walk in freedom for the rest of our lives. Let us choose to do just that...beginning today.