The Power to Choose

by Sandra

I’m reading the Introduction to FM Alexander’s third book, The Use of the Self, published in 1932 (2001 reissue of the 1985 edition).

I’m looking at the Introduction by John Dewey, reprinted from the 1939 edition.

I’ve read it before, more than once, as you might expect from someone who shares Mr Alexander’s work with others. And, as with his other books when I revisit them, there’s always something new to find. 

Today, I read this sentence by Dewey, and it really resonates with me in this age we find ourselves in – of fake news, and distraction…

“Were not our eyes and ears so accustomed to irresponsible statements that we cease to ask for either meaning or proof, they might well raise a question as to the complete intellectual responsibility and competency of their author.”

How many people today “ask for either meaning or proof” when they read or hear things in any aspect of their life? How many people “raise a question as to the … intellectual responsibility and competency” of those writing or speaking?

Doing these things may not, sadly, have any influence on those in leadership and governance – many of whom seem to generate “irresponsible statements” every time they open their mouths. But we can use questions like these to inform our response to what is going on around us. 

Stephen Covey, in the Seven Habits of Highly Effective People, talks about the importance of acknowledging those things that concern us but/and putting our attention to those things that we can influence. I, like many, am extremely concerned about the way this world is going on many fronts. I acknowledge that, and do my best to bring my attention to those small things I can influence as I go about my daily life.  

Because, as with everything in life, it’s my choice how I respond to things. It’s my decision. 

Yesterday evening I met with a wonderful group of women that I met first in 2023 on Zoom. We had all signed up to the same online course to develop our knowledge of Celtic Mythology and improve our Storytelling skills, and were placed in the same small group together by the course leader. Almost a year after our course ended, we still meet about once a month, from wherever we are in the world. It’s a delight, three of us in our 60s and one in her 30s, all on our own journeys. Our conversation last night included topics such as post structuralism, the grunt work vs the creative aspects of writing a thesis, the wealth of online courses available on many topics, shifting to new patterns of life, being around people who are not kind, the different political views that can be held within a family and the potential divisiveness that brings… and throughout our conversations was the underlying issue that we have choice, we can make conscious and reasoned decisions even when the conditions around us are difficult.

Viktor Frankl (Austrian holocaust survivor and psychotherapist) said something like… between stimulus and response we have the power to choose.

And I for one am getting better at this! 

Thanks for staying with me to this point. I’ve enjoyed sharing these musings with you. Have a great day!