Living by choice vs living by necessity

The choice made out of one’s needs:

To live by choice, by one’s own standards is what every human would wish for.  To choose one’s desired way of life is a privilege not everybody can enjoy. One’s choice of career is a befitting example to elaborate on these views.

We all have a wide spectrum of career choices. But do we end up having the job we wish for? There are a set of people who take up a job for the sole reason of making money.

A person who is interested in a painting might end up becoming a software engineer because of the attractive package of money the IT job offers.

Not to say that painters don’t make money, but the amount he could earn in a given span of time would be of utmost importance. An individual’s work choices made out of needs might not only comprise of his or hers, but one’s family might also play a major role.

The necessity that arises out of personal and social obligations might drive a person to take up a career with no interest.

The choice for passion: 

On the other hand, there are people who live purely by their own desires and choices. The world sees artists budding every day. These individuals are more driven by their art and interest than the need to make money. Money is a necessity in everybody’s life. It is purely up to us to pursue our dreams or take up a career out of necessity.

Am an individual who has quit jobs in the educational sector solely because I couldn’t find them to be my passion. I just couldn’t continue as a lecturer or a school teacher because I didn’t want to work out of compulsion.

I do take work from home jobs out of necessity but would not venture out to take a job that holds no interest for me. 

My husband, on the other hand, works as a Senior Project Manager in a well-known concern. His passion is to be an entrepreneur. His heart is inclined to start a business. But the needs and necessity of the family make him go to the office every day as a compulsion.

He is yet to discover the kind of business he would start but for now, he would not take the risk. His choice is made out of need rather than wishes.

The lifestyle we choose to live could be a matter of choice or necessity. It is up to us to conform to our traditions or live a life purely out of a free will. From fashion to marriage, the current era has seen a lot of changes. We find an individual’s freedom and choices gaining more importance as opposed to the social views and values.

A contented life – choice or necessity?

All said and done, the world is made a better place to live in taking the collective good in mind. And so I feel it is the responsibility of each one of us to live our lives with the choices we make and conforming to the rules that are framed for the social good. We can’t just drive the car the way we wish to.

We have to follow the rules of the road. And at the same time, we can take risks to live according to our heart’s desires, provided there is no harm to another.

It gives a great sense of inner strength when we are the captain of our ship when we steer the ship instead of letting it in the control of another for need. To live by choice and to live by need are two different ways to live.

The latter could bring forth utmost satisfaction and happiness whereas to live by need might lead to unhappiness and dissatisfaction. 

A life that is dictated by codes and standards of another breeds boredom. It is very essential to be clear about what you want to do with your life. When there is no clarity, you would end up traveling and wandering directionless.

One life, one choice: 

It would be more apt to quote Amelia Earhart, the first female aviation pioneer to fly solo across the Atlantic Ocean. She had followed her heart high up to the sky! It would be more apt to quote her here,

“The most difficult thing is the decision to act, the rest is merely tenacity. The fears are paper tigers. You can do anything you decide to do. You can act to change and control your life; and the procedure, the process is its own reward.”

We are blessed with this one life. There are so many choices out there in this world. Let us be wise about the choices we make and live a contented life. work life balance