Last update: May 23, 2016
The title of this article is a reference to the famous Spanish philosopher José Ortega y Gasset and his famous words: in short, he believed in the indissolubility of the union between the ego and circumstance, in the impossibility of understanding the former without the second. According to this perspective, much of the product of our decisions is influenced by us and by our more stable part, but at the same time by the particularities of the moment and place.
For this reason, when the philosopher stated "I am me and my circumstance: if I don't save this, I won't even save myself ", referred to the strength of this union, the one that binds our essence to everything that surrounds us. In other words, we speak of our habitat, the one made up of limits and freedom and which offers us various alternatives to choose from to move forward.
Circum-stancia: being around
The word circumstance refers to a much wider field than we imagine: the family, society, culture, a body with specific physical and psychological characteristics, personality and character ... L'I takes shape when he understands his circumstance and finds an explanation by listening to that of others as well.
The circumstance is flexible and adaptable in many respects: once we accept what is around us, we have the freedom to direct our decisions towards a present that completes us and a future that brings us wealth. Will I be happier doing it this way? What would have happened if I had behaved differently?
In this way, we will outline our experiences and our actions will begin to revolve around our interests, dreams and desires. Right now, circumstance and decisions define who we are, establishing our position in the world relative to others.
Positive and negative aspects of the circumstance
The circumstances are not perfect and it is impossible to fit into an environment that is always propitious in which everything happens as we would like: sometimes we are forced to make decisions amid a thousand adversities, other times it seems that everything goes smoothly and that the decision is clear. In both cases, however, we end up making a decision, saving the circumstance.
“'The hardest thing is making the decision. The rest is pure tenacity. Fears are paper tigers. You can do whatever you want. You can act to change and to control your life; and the process, the process will be your reward "
-Amelia Earhart-
In this sense, we are aware of the existence of positive and negative moments, both equally necessary to achieve stability. Remember: joy and sadness travel on the same train. Even when we are blocked by fear or sadness and these prevent us from moving, we have an obligation to continue: even not deciding is a decision.
Not making a decision is also a choice
Any situation, phase or moment in life involves decisions, and with them consequences: from choosing to have a coffee in the middle of the day to setting the alarm for the next day. They seem like insignificant decisions, yet they can mark the rest of our day.
The same happens with decisions considered important: the moment of choice should not be delayed, but rather ask ourselves the appropriate questions, give us the necessary answers and have the courage to face them. Accepting responsibilities and knowing how to listen to oneself are two of the most important aspects.
solo when we have our goals in mind and we are determined to achieve them, we will have the certainty that no one else will make the decision for us. It may be that we will make a mistake and there is nothing wrong with that: we will be left with the satisfaction of being the masters of that mistake. The beauty of all of this partly has to do with the absence of a script that requires us to take the correct path.
"When you have to make a choice and not make it, it is a decision in itself."
-William James-
