Choose your own adventure

I am not sure if you’re familiar with “choose your own adventure” style books but, they are written in a format that allows you to decide courses of action for the protagonist essentially, determining which “mystery” ending is revealed. As a kid and even still as uh… a lesser kid I am a huge fan of this style of book. “Choose your own adventure” and “Goosebumps” would always be on my scholastic order form. You can probably tell by my grade 6 level writing skills that I haven’t ventured very far away from them. I still won’t read a “Goosebumps” in the dark…

Anyway, what’s noteable is that I use to read the back of the “choose your own adventure” books first. I would pick my favorite “mystery” ending, and based on that ending; my decisions would be made to achieve that ending. Let’s say the ending was getting into topless water gun fight. I would have my character travel to a warm destination where water would be readily available. People would ask “don’t you want the ending to be a surprise?” to which I’d respond with a resounding “#$% NO”. Growing up in a tumultuous environment the word “surprise” is rarely attached to the word party. It’d be more like “we’re robbing you, surprise!”

But, here we are in the ultimate “choose your own adventure” aren’t we? Not being able to flip to end to reveal what’s there. We follow the footsteps of people who have gone down that path hoping to achieve the same outcome. It looks like it worked for them doesn’t it? My method of coping is commitment. Most people are commitment phobes and will complain or worry about the idea of being stuck with something for a long time. I don’t mind because once I really like something enough to let in my world I want it to be there indefinitely. I’ll commit a considerable amount of resources, more than I should give, and more than I have. Just so I’ll know I’ll never be without with these things I cherish so much. I know…I got issues lol

I’ve been reevaluating because it’s been an unrealistic approach. Things fall apart no matter how hard you to try to keep them together. Life isn’t like a novel you can cheat. You may not have any control over the outcome but, the choice is still yours to make. Choose what makes you happy and your ending won’t be much of a mystery.