Choking on a Choice
- Luci
- Sep 13, 2024
- 2 min read
Updated: May 18

We never know WHAT the consequences of our choices will be, but one thing is certain:
There will be consequences to every decision, and they’re usually NOT in our control.
Even a seemingly innocent choice can lead to disaster. Today, I read about the case of a 37-year-old Wales mother of two who died last year after taking part in a marshmallow-eating competition that was a fundraiser for her son’s rugby club. She choked to death after “cramming seven of the squidgy sweets in her mouth.” She wasn’t a competitive eater. She was just someone’s mama called on stage to participate, and she obliged. It’s tragic, and I have FAITH that every tragedy drags lessons in with its heartbreak.
Our choice-making begins long before we become capable adults. Before age twenty-five, when our frontal lobes aren’t fully developed, we can make some knucklehead decisions. Let me rephrase: Before MY frontal lobe was fully developed, I made super knucklehead decisions, so much so that I cringe when encountering someone who only knew me from my early years. I’m not that girl anymore. (THAT girl must have had an unconscious death wish!)
As an adult and (supposed) owner of a fully developed frontal lobe, I try to be more deliberate with my choices, fully aware that even the most careful decisions usually bring unexpected and possibly undesirable consequences. Thankfully, none of my choices have resulted in death, but I have learned to take responsibility for and embrace the consequences of MY choices, whether I like them or not. No finger-pointing: It’s on me.
Like giant, (maybe) colorful, and seemingly harmless marshmallows, our everyday choices often appear innocuous. However, if we don’t carefully chew (think) before we swallow (decide), we could suffocate from a consequence we did not fully consider or prepare for.

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