Is it really? I remember the saying that people always get what they ask for, but is what they ask for really what they want? Is it what they need?

There are so many varieties of things that are available, like food, clothing, neighborhoods, cars, etc. And there are so many types of people for us to choose to be around. But do we choose things or people for our own gain, because of popularity, for acceptance, or to be happy? And do we really need what we think we want?

I am never shocked anymore to see the crowds of people who run out and buy what they’ve been told is the latest whatever either by preordering or standing in a line for hours or overnight. And Black Friday continues to amuse me. What is so important about getting something “first” – is it because you can brag that you have it right away, are you in some kind of race, or have you been waiting for it because you really need it? I can understand the preordering of concert tickets because tickets do go fast, but is it really necessary to preorder for a movie when it’s going to be streaming within a month?

What really worries me, however, is how quickly people fall for things they hear from people they think have authority or because it’s on the Internet. Again, discernment is critical when it comes to choosing. I remember a commercial where a woman finally met up with a guy from an online dating site and she believed he was French because the profile said so, when he clearly wasn’t. The commercial was meant to be sarcastic and prove a point, but this type of mindset is disturbing because there are people who actually do take what is said online literally because it fits what they presume to be their need or want (bringing me back to the literacy argument).

People need to start thinking and choosing for themselves – not because something is popular or because someone else wants them to. Every choice – especially life choices – should be made because they match YOUR beliefs and values.