Newton’s Third Law of Motion states that for every action there is an equal and opposite reaction. For example, when I stand on the floor my body exerts a downward force on the floor, while the floor exerts an upward force on my body. This law helps us to understand the interaction between forces at work in the world around us. What many people fail to grasp is that this law applies to everything we do. Each action we take, decision we make, and word we speak brings about some sort of reaction. These “reactions” are called consequences. Everything we do and every choice we make has consequences. In an earlier post I promised a discussion about consequences, so here it is.
Unlike the Law of Motion, the consequences of our choices and actions are not always “equal and opposite.” Often, the impact of what we do is greater than the effort we exert, but at other times we can put forth a lot of effort and see little effect. In addition, the results of what we do are often similar to the action itself. Try this: while with a group of people, yawn. You will likely see several others in the group begin to yawn as well. Your action created a similar yet magnified reaction. That is the nature of consequences. Positive actions and words result in magnified positive reactions around you. The same is true of negative actions and words. The words we say, the choices we make, and the things we do have consequences. We may see immediate results, or it may take some time before the consequences are manifest, but there are always consequences.
As a Christian, I often think of the eternal consequences of my actions. Since I understand that not everyone who reads this believes in God, Heaven, Hell and eternity, I am going to focus on the secular, societal impact of our actions and decisions. I am more than happy to discuss eternal matters with you if you would like to reach out to me, but for today I am going to stay away from that. I want to chat with you about how the choices you make will impact you, the people around you, and society as a whole. When you set a goal and begin working toward the achievement of that goal, you are unleashing a set of consequences on the world around you. The impact might be small, or it could be huge, but your actions will have an impact and create results. Therefore, it is important that you consider the potential consequences before you act.
In order to explain what I am talking about in a manner that we can all understand, I want to talk about teeth. We have all heard about proper oral hygiene, but it is up to each individual to choose how serious to take it. If you choose not to brush your teeth properly on a regular basis, you will most likely end up with cavities, toothaches, and lost teeth. On the other hand, if you consistently practice good oral hygiene then you will likely have strong, healthy teeth. You get to decide if you want to brush your teeth or not. It is then up to you to take action on your decision. Your choice and actions then have consequences. The consequences of neglecting your teeth are cavities and mouth pain, not to mention a broken smile. Bad teeth will likely result in lowered self-esteem and confidence, affecting your social and professional interactions. Repeated trips to the dentist for root canals and extractions will create a financial burden on you and your family. You can choose to ignore your teeth, but make sure you are willing to accept the consequences.
In an earlier post, I talked about how important it is to pursue your dream no matter what others may think. You shouldn’t abandon your dream just because someone else doesn’t agree with what you are trying to do. I encourage you to identify and pursue your dream. However, I would be remiss if I didn’t also remind you to consider the consequences. Will the course you are considering result in a broken relationship with someone you care about? If so, is what you want to do worth losing that relationship? If not, then maybe that really isn’t the dream you are supposed to be chasing. Does your dream involve illegal activity of some kind that will result in your arrest, bringing disgrace to you and your family and landing you in jail? Are you willing to die in prison in order to pursue your dream? Could the passionate pursuit of your goal destroy your marriage, or cause you to never have a family to start with? Is your goal worth such a price? Remember, your choices and actions have consequences. You must consider the consequences before making your decisions and taking action.
Some goals and dreams are worth facing harsh consequences. The men who signed the Declaration of Independence knew that doing so could cost them everything, including their lives. They signed anyway, believing that freedom was worth the price. Leaders like Martin Luther King, Jr. who stand up against prejudice and injustice know that they could be rejected by society, might be arrested, or could even be killed for what they believe, yet they are willing to face the consequences and declare “I have a dream!” The apostle Paul gave up his prestigious position in society, lost his wealth, was beaten, imprisoned, shipwrecked, and ultimately killed for the cause of Christ, declaring that he was “ready to be offered” to further the Gospel message. These are just a few examples of people who pursued their dream knowing the harshness of the consequences. Does your dream have the potential for such consequences? If so, is pursuing it worth facing these consequences?
By all means, dream big and commit yourself to the fulfillment of your dream. At the same time, remember that what you do has consequences. Consider the cost, decide if you’re willing to pay the price, and then immerse yourself in the passionate pursuit of your dream. This formula will help you live the greatest life possible.
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