Sophie’s choice! A phrase that seems innocent enough. But is it? We use it so often without real thought to the story behind the phrase.
I have always loved the name Sophie. Sometimes spelled Sofia or Sophia. It has a nice meaning too as far as I know. Wisdom! So wisdom’s choice! How about that!
Sophie’s choice began with a story about a woman named Sophie who had to choose between two terrible offers. Afterwards, she couldn’t live with her decision and committed suicide. Click here for the full story.
Her story bothered me. To have to make a choice when neither proposition is pleasant can be tough. What do we do at such moments? Now, seems like a good time to pray, “lead us not into temptation and deliver us from evil.” Right?
The woods
Hard to say if Sophie could have done differently at the time.
We have to make choices every day and live with them, don’t we?
Standing still births moments filled with regrets. Inaction can be just as regrettable as wrong choices.
So feed the birds! Embrace calmness and good choices. Maybe be happy now and quit postponing happiness until a ‘perfect’ moment. In the journey of life, done is better than perfect.
To great offers and choices!
For more on the creative use of language, read LANGUAGE AND IDIOMS.