<p>For a variety of reasons, people often make choices that have negative results. Later, they regret these choices, finding out too late that bad choices can be costly. On the other hand, decisions that seem completely reasonable when they are made may also be the cause of later disappointment and suffering. What looks like a wonderful idea at one time can later seem like the worst decision that could have been made. Good choices, too, can be costly.
Prompt: Are bad and good choices equally likely to have negative consequences?</p>
<p>Both good choices and bad choices are equally likely to harbor unfortunate consequences. This twist of fate is indicative throughout history as well as works of literature, between declarations of war and even writings of fiction. </p>
<p>The staple of a good decision is that it is serving one's own self as well as the betterment of others to come, yet these untimely assumptions have not always yielded great benefits. When Theodore Roosevelt declared that he was not to run for a second term, in order to follow the age-old tradition of 2 presidential terms and to pass the proverbial torch, Roosevelt later went on to regret this decision as his successor William Taft fell short of expectations. Roosevelt would go on to run for a third term after Taft, but failed in spite of his previous popularity. Historians recognize this as Roosevelt's "greatest personal regret". While Roosevelt felt as if he was serving the country's best interests and making the "good choice", this obviously did not provide positive consequences and Roosevelt realized his blunder. Even Roosevelt, a calculating president, was a victim of picking the "wonderful idea" that became a bad decision later down the road.</p>
<p>Another example of a good choice gone wrong is when the United States opted to enter the Vietnam War in an effort to halt Communism in its steps and establish democratic preeminence in the troubled nation. What seemed like a fruitful decision at the time, to challenge the prevalence of Communism, resulted in a costly war in both life losses and American opinion. The war the subject of numerous protests as the possibility of American victory seemed bleak, and ultimately the U.S. barely accomplished its initial goal of defeating Communism in the area. The war was devastating, as public opinion of the government faltered. What had seemed such a remarkable idea upon its inception led to the demise of millions of lives, destruction of Vietnamese communities, and a shift in public opinion of the government.</p>
<p>In the book "The Adventures of Huckleberry Finn" by Mark Twain, the protagonist Huckleberry Finn decides to steal and conceal a bag of gold from two thieves. This decision made by Huck was reasonable, to thwart the plan of two thieves and return the stolen goods. However, the plan becomes a tremendously disastrous one as the bag of money is later sought out by the thieves and the people from whom it was taken from. Huck Finn ultimately is chased out of town and immensely regrets his decision to take matters into his own hands. A justly and reasonable cause in the beginning, for sure, but the cause of negative consequences and horrible turnout.</p>
<p>From a good idea, a sharp twist of fate can turn what seemed like a reasonable decision into an enormous blunder. Therefore, there can be bore in a good decision suffering, disappointment, and regret, in the same breath as a bad decision, as times throughout history and even literature has shown us. </p>
<p>The people we call heroes do not usually start out as unusual. Often they are ordinary people subject to ordinary human weaknesses - fear, doubt, and self-interest. In fact, they live ordinary lives until they distinguish themselves by having to deal with an injustice or a difficult situation. Only then, when they must respond in thought and in action to an extraordinary challenge, do people begin to know their strengths and weaknesses.
Prompt: Do people learn who they are only when they are forced into action?</p>
<p>Once people are forced into action, that is when they begin to formulate a picture of themselves an who they are. Great men through out history have learned this lesson - some the hard way - yet one thing remains clear: it is only when the dust settles that people begin to learn tho they are, be it in history or even literature.</p>
<p>A prime example of self-discovery through response to action or injustice is the life of Malcolm X. Malcolm X was imprisoned, and after suffering through years of social and racial torment, X found himself with no foreseeable future in a brick jail. As X began learning and reading, and teaching himself, it was these actions which gave rise to the prominent civil rights leader he is known as today. Through action, subject under hopeless circumstances, X knew of his strengths and weaknesses, or perhaps more importantly, who he was. X, born Malcolm Little, started out as usual, ordinary, and far from a hero. But only by distinguishing himself, planting his feet, and taking swift action, did he truly discover himself.</p>
<p>The taking of action can also have adverse effects on an identity, or when a person's weaknesses are shown. In the 1960's, America embarked on a war against Communism in Vietnam which drafted soldiers and sent them to the frontlines of the Vietcong. A move marred by controversy, this war was also subject to immense protest and criticism. Therefore, America, as a whole, in its response to growing Communist threats took action that ultimately allowed the nation a leering eye into the horrors of war and why not predicament can be solved by fighting. This course of action helped the country learn and develop a sense of strength and weakness, the unknown and the known, and the concept of self-discovery for a whole government.</p>
<p>Another example can be found in Mark Twain's novel "The Adventures of Huckleberry Finn". The book's protagonist, Huckleberry Finn, engaged in numerous adventures and gambles of life. He helps an escaped slave flee the south, thwarts two thieves' plans, and is the embodiment of ordinary person turned hero through action and response. In the book, Huck has to resort to desperate measures in order to insure the safety of himself and the slave, Jim, and by the book's end, after pitfall and uprising, Huck has identified who he is. He sheds himself of his implanted religious beliefs and his intense self-doubt, and transforms into the unusual example of human feat, through actions which showed his strengths and weaknesses.</p>
<p>A hero's journey can only begin with the willingness to take action and to respond to times of stress and trepidation. It is only then that a person can discover his or herself, and embrace the strengths and weaknesses that affect us all. This is prevalent in both moments of history and works of literature: the idea of triumph or downfall through actions, consequences, and response.</p>