Choices+Theme+Exploration

__Intro:__ As Kahlil Gibran once said, "we choose our joys and sorrows long before we experience them." Choices seem to control everything. Every choice we make will affect an outcome somewhere in our lives. Our lives and the lives of others around us are being altered every time we make a choice. Just like the literature we have read this school year, choices make a huge impact. From Jack choosing to separate the boys, to Atticus Finch choosing to represent Tom Robinson, all choices have their affects on everyone in the situation. Kahlil Gibran said it best; we really do choose our joys, sorrows, and the course of our entire lives. Since choices are such a major part of life, they can have various impacts on us.

__Choices in School__ “There are always two choices. Two paths to take. One is easy. And its only reward is that it's easy.”

All choices we make have a cause and effect relationship. Many of the choices we face as a student populous are faced at school. For example, we face choices with classes, homework, and people. A common situation we find ourselves in is whether or not we choose to do our homework. It may not seem like a big deal at the time, but this choice can make or break your grades, which are important to most students. If one chooses not to do his or her homework, this can lead to a routine and severely impact your grade in a negative manner. However, if you choose to do your homework, this can lead to a routine that will help raise your grade and create positive study habits. Obviously we cannot change things that are not in our control, but if we have the power to make our lives better by a single choice, why not?

The quote at the top explains the choices we face in school. Why don’t we do our homework? Well, it’s obviously easier not to. However, like the quote says, the only reward to taking the easier path is only that, it’s easier. If we take the harder path, we challenge ourselves to become better students, which ultimately results in going father in life. An anonymous speaker said this quote, but it holds much credibility. Although these choices are tough, it helps determine who is truly motivated, and who is just along for the ride.

"Choice definition | Dictionary.com." 07 Apr. 2009 <[]>.
 * __Citations__**

__Tapping hidden power__. Alexandria, Va: Time-Life Books, 1994.

Wandberg, Robert. __Self-Direction Taking Positive Risks, Following Your Dreams (Wandberg, Robert. Life Skills.)__. Mankato: LifeMatters, 2000.

"Choices quotes & quotations." __Find the famous quotes you need, ThinkExist.com Quotations.__ 10 Apr. 2009 [].

__Choices about doing Drugs and Alcohol__ Kayla and some of her friends were invited to a party Saturday night. Kayla knows that there will be plenty of beer and drugs, and she is scared that they will ask her to try some. She knows that its dangerous and that scares her. She knows that her parents would kill her if they caught her using pot or drinking alcohol. However, she is worried that if she doesn’t drink or get high that her friends will think she’s un-cool.

Kayla doesn’t know if she should go to the party or not. Here are some steps she should take to make her decision. 1: First Kayla needs to decide whether to go to the party or not. If she goes, then she will need to decide what to do about the drugs and alcohol.
 * 1) Identify the situation
 * 2) Decide how important a decision is.
 * 3) Identify choices.
 * 4) Judge the choices.
 * 5) Select a choice.
 * 6) Judge the result.

2: Deciding about going to the party may be a low priority problem compared to the drug and alcohol situation. Since it could have a life time affect on her she needs to choose if it’s worth putting her future at risk.

3: Kayla can attend or avoid the party. If she goes she can decide whether or not to drink or do drugs. If she doesn’t go to the party she can do something else with her friends or by herself.

4: If Kayla doesn’t go to the party, her friends might give her a hard time about it. But she may miss out on a fun time without doing anything she would regret. If she decides to drink she will fit in better with the other kids, but she may feel sick and her parents could find out. She is scared she will end up doing something really stupid if she drinks or does drugs. If she decides not to use drugs or drink, she needs to choose how to do that.

5: Let's say that Kayla decides to go to the party. She decides not to get drunk or high. She talks to her friend Brittany who also told her she's not going to be under the influence. Kayla asked her if she wanted to hang out together during the party. They might feel stronger together knowing that they aren't the only ones not using.

6:After the party, Kayla asks herself questions about how she felt about her choices. Did she have a good time? Did she feel good about saying no? Did her decisions fit her values? How will her decisions affect her long term life goals? Will she make the same decision in the future?

As you can see, a decision to do drugs or to get drunk at a party could affect anything in your life, whether its long term or short term. The steps you take to making the right choices all depend on you...



__**Citations**__ "Making Decisions." //Open Learn Learning Space //. Open University. 10 Apr 2009  Wanberg, Robert. //Making Tough Decitions//. Mankato, Minnesota: Capstone Press, 2001. Print. (Wanberg [28, 29, 30])

"Choices." //Wikipedia//. December 2007. 10 Apr 2009 .

Picture: []

=__**Choices about Friends**__=

The choices we make govern our lives, and the people we spend time with affect who we become. Therefore, the people we choose to be friends with affect who we are. Nobody wants to be lonely or in a bad relationship with another person. Despite this, we often put ourselves in this sort of situation. Many people are shaped because of their families. Many times criminals have come from bad families where they may have been abused, neglected, or have had a split family. When one person chooses to cause tension in a family, everyone is affected. People are also influenced by their friends. Physiologists today say, “ we choose friends because of how much they support us - not necessarily who they are.” If someone doesn’t receive support from their family or anyone else they often turn desperately to a group of friends who may not be best for them. In turn, this could involve them in drugs, alcohol, fights, and even life-threatening circumstances. The way we relate to our families and chose our friends affects who we are as a person, what we do, and in the end, our entire life.

=Pictures:= =__[]__=

=__Citations:__=

Davis, Leighton. "Friendship for Girls." Teen Health and Wellness: Real Life, Real Answers. 2009. Rosen Publishing Group, Inc. 7 Apr. 2009 [].

"Friend - definition of friend by the Free Online Dictionary, Thesaurus and Encyclopedia." Dictionary, Encyclopedia and Thesaurus - The Free Dictionary. 07 Apr. 2009 []. "Quotes about Choice." __Quotes Quotations__. 12 Apr. 2009 

__Choices During Spare Time/ After School/ Summer__ According to a report from the Carnegie Council on Adolescent Development, young people have nearly 2,000 hours, On average, of discretionary time without structure or supervision. During this time it is up to the person to make there choices. They can choose to go to a sponsored or supervised activity put on by a school, church, rec center, or any other organizations, Or they can go out and hang with friends, vandalize, do drugs, alcohol, anything. These examples may seem funny and over dramatic but according to Cocha Heyden, public information officer for the Douglas County Sheriff’s Office, “There are 393 juveniles charged with Group A crimes, which include sex assault, robbery, burglary and assault. More than 530 teens were charged with crimes ranging from DUI, trespassing and disorderly conduct.” In Douglas County last year. Some of the main lead causes in teen violence are: This all is somehow related to the family, and how kids choose to spend there time outside of school. If they chose to stay home or go to an after school activity or some other supervised activity, they are in-turn choosing to stay away from drugs, alcohol, vandalism, robbery, and many others. “Students who participate in after-school programs have better school attendance, better grades and test scores, and a more positive attitude toward schoolwork. Time spent in dance lessons, sports programs, summer programs, and similar constructive activities also makes a difference.” The way you choose to spend your time outside of school is up to you but the choice will have a great impact on you, good or bad. //Citations:// Bruininks, Robert H. "Time Outside of School Plays Key Role in Youth Development." __University of Minnesota__. May & june 2004. University of Minnesota. 13 Apr. 2009 .
 * Low emotional Attachment to parents or caregivers[[image:http://www.usnodrugs.com/images/teen-drug-abuse.jpg align="right" caption="http://www.usnodrugs.com/images/teen-drug-abuse.jpg"]]
 * Low parental education and income
 * Parental substance abuse and criminality
 * Poor family functioning
 * Poor monitoring and supervision of children

Moore, Rhonda. "A New Face for D.A.R.E." __Highlands Ranch Herald__ 04 Feb. 2009. 04 Feb. 2009. Town News. 13 Apr. 2009 .

"Teen Violence Statistics and Youth Violence Prevention." __Troubled Teen Help Military Boarding Schools__. 2006. Family First Aid. 13 Apr. 2009 . __Conclusion:__

[|Alfred A. Montapert] said “[|Nobody ever did, or ever will, escape the consequences of his choices.]” This is because all choices lead to a consequence. Every choice you make, no matter how big or small, will have an impact on you. These have all been examples,  In school, there are many choices over school work, homework, and friends. Which impacts your “grades, colleges, and the rest of your life” (Choices in School). The friends you choose in school impact your choices on “drugs, alcohol, fights, and even life-threatening circumstances” (Choices About Friends). To choose to do drugs and alcohol could affect “anything in your life, whether its long term or short term” (The Long Term Choices) . Its just one big chain started by your choices in school. Although these examples are big, it helps to understand how even just the small things impact you. For example, if you went to a movie on Friday night, it might lead you to not do your homework and you get a bad grade, which is a consequence. If you choose to skip the movie you will probably get your homework done, and get to see a friend you havn't seen in a while, which is also a consequence. Which leads me back to the quote, no matter what way you choose for a choice, there is a consequence that will impact you in someway. "Choices Quotes." //Think Exist//. ThinkExist. 12 Apr 2009 .