Unsolicited Consequences

What are consequences and why can they be fatal?

A consequence is something that follows as a result. Consequences can be good or bad, however, it is the relation between a result and its cause. If it is a negative result, it means a previous action resulted in an unpleasant or difficult outcome. There’s one thing about consequences – we all pay them.

Can you recall a time where you’ve personally said or done something for which you felt the consequences were unwarranted? No one ever complains and wonders why good things are happening to them, but most people are usually very confused as to why negative consequences occur. Negative consequences would never materialize without them first being paid for. Every consequence is paid in advance.

Now I believe, there is a cause and effect, and a ripple effect for everything everyone does, and those actions can have positive consequences as well as negative. Everyone has to make their own decisions, however you have to be able to accept the consequences without complaining. A person’s acceptance of what has taken place is the first step toward overcoming any unfortunate consequence. Everything has positive or negative consequences, and I can’t repeat this enough.

Sometimes, tremendous consequences come from what we sometimes consider to be little or insignificant decisions or actions. When the results seem to have a more devastating effect, I am tempted to think there is no such thing as little decisions or actions. On the other hand, small actions and decisions can also result in gigantic results.

“I never looked at the consequences of missing a big shot… when you think about the consequences you always think of a negative result.”
–Michael Jordan

Most youth never take into consideration the consequences of their actions until it is too late. How much more grievous are the consequences of anger than the causes of it. Is it possible to get in the way of someone’s consequences for an act they committed? Nothing is free in this world; either you pay your own consequences or someone else does. Choices made, whether good, bad, or indifferent, follow you forever and affect everyone in their path one way or another. Some of a person’s emotional scars can be the result of another person’s emotional pain. Hurt people; hurt people.

The way I avoid, as much as I can, the foolishness of someone else’s actions, is to mentally be aware of their capability. It’s similar to making a conscience decision, while you’re driving, to drive for the other guy as well. When you see someone swerving back and forth on the road, stay a good distance behind them or they may inadvertently cause an accident for you.

Without reflection, we blindly go on our way, generating more unintended consequences, and always falling short of achieving anything useful. The actions we take and the decisions we make in this waking moment will have consequences reaching far into our futures. It doesn’t matter if we don’t mean to do the things we do. It means nothing if it was an accident or a mistake. It doesn’t even matter if we think this is all up to fate. Regardless of our destiny, we still have to answer for our actions; and our consequences are those answers.

We all make choices, big and small, every day of our lives, and those choices have consequences. Everyone is going to eventually sit at the table and eat the meal of consequences. However, you can personally be totally engaged in the effort to ensure that the consequences you eat daily, are good and beneficial, as the result of you making sure your actions and decisions are calculating consequences worth paying for.

Recommended Reading:

I frequently say, “Readers are leaders and leaders are readers.” I strongly believe this statement; therefore, I have taken the time to recommend reading material that I believe will greatly benefit your life and business endeavors. Click the images to see more information or to order the books from Amazon.com.