Your Choice Matters

Every choice we make shapes our reality, identity, and future. These decisions influence our daily lives, habits, and character, serving as a transformative force. My debut novel, Good Morning, Heartache, is set in a small Southern town during the early 1960s. In comparison to today, that time feels like a distant past. Many would argue that life back then was simpler, less expensive, slower-paced, more judgmental, and offered fewer freedoms.

An era significantly influences how we interpret reality. For example, societal attitudes toward gender roles and sexual exploration have evolved dramatically since the early 1960s. A young woman who was sexually active and became an unwed mother often had to leave school, which severely affected her career options and lifestyle. Unfortunately, this experience usually had negative repercussions for her, while the male counterpart faced significantly fewer consequences. This period also sparked movements for egalitarianism. The demand for change became relentless, as people could no longer endure the burden of systemic racism. Working twice as hard for half as much was the way of life that was being challenged by the marginalized. Cries of "No justice! No Peace!" were defiant yet hopeful and empowering.

In Good Morning, Heartache, the two families strive to navigate life in the Jim Crow South, facing unforeseen changes when two of their own make a choice that alters their lives forever. The ripple effect of this decision extends far beyond their immediate circumstances. Ultimately, how one reacts to their choices is what holds the greatest significance. How you react to a choice can either turn a mistake into a masterclass, or turn a setback into a downward spiral.

We are all works in progress. Each day offers a chance to love, learn, and grow. Ideally this process occurs within a supportive, non-judgmental space. The main characters in Good Morning, Heartache were not immune to the scrutiny of their small town; thus, their inability to maintain an ideal image meant they were judged based on social sanctions.

What is a ‘truth’ about yourself, you have unashamedly accepted? AND What affect did societal judgments or your own self-judgments have on the acceptance?

To be continued...Until our next blog.