The Peaks, Plummets, and Power of Choice

 

Life is filled with opportunities to make choices. At times, the choice is simple and does not require much thought from us at all. Other times, we may find ourselves in situations that cause us to make decisions outside of our comfort zone. Consider a natural disaster such as, a hurricane, winter storm, or volcano eruption. Perhaps we are faced with a pandemic such as COVID-19 which has prompted many to make choices we might not have otherwise made. 

Isabel Allende’s “And of Clay Are We Created” is one of those stories about making choices. Although the people of the village had been forewarned by geologists that the volcano could erupt, the villagers were indifferent to the warnings. This choice would later prove to be a deadly mistake as the volcano did erupt and practically buried the entire village underneath rubble and ruin. 

As is the case during natural disasters, news crews and photographers arrived upon the horrific scene. The story, however, focused on two main characters, Rolf Carle and a 13-year-old girl named Azucena. Azucena was trapped, partially buried beneath the clay, and could not move. Rolf was also trapped but in a different kind of rubble. He was trapped by secrets buried in his subconscious. Rolf began to speak and tell Azucena stories to keep her alert while they waited for her to be rescued.

Amazingly, by choice, we are able to suppress thoughts that bring us sadness or pain. Certain situations can cause those thoughts to come to the forefront of our minds. Rolf was submerged in the middle of a natural disaster saying and doing what he could to comfort Azucena. It was during this time that his past came flooding back into his thoughts. He allowed himself to feel what had subconsciously haunted him for years. There were things that he lived through as a child that he never wanted to resurface again. Still, he found himself in the company of a child who had accepted her fate and was at peace while he needed to release his fears and come to find peace himself. In the end, he chose to do exactly that. He allowed himself to revisit his past. Finally, he released the pain that had been bottled up inside of him. Although Azucena eventually died, Rolf gained power over his past during the time he spent with her.

Finally, choice is not always black or white. There will be some instances where things are mostly gray. During teenage years students are often faced with a multitude of choices that can affect them for the better part of their adult lives as was the case with Rolf. It is important to prepare them during this impressionable age to put them on the right path for their futures. Michael Pritchard is a comedian/youth counselor who has put together a video named, “The Power of Choice”. The purpose of his video is to “empower young people to take control of their lives by making their own choices and provide them guidelines for making the choices that are right for them”.  Educators can add this video to their lesson plan.  The package also includes a printable teacher’s guide. Both students and teachers can laugh and learn with Michael as he delivers his guidelines for choice in a lighthearted methodology. The video is personable, powerful, and purposeful and students can relate when they see people who look like them.