Ric Pawloski is the executive director of the Ferry Street Resource Center in Niles. He can be reached at directorfsrc@gmail.com.

I recently let my dog out into the front yard so he could do his business like I have done hundreds of times before. As has become his habit, when he successfully does what I want him to do outside as opposed to inside, he turns and faces the door. This is in preparation for me opening the door as he bolts, full speed for the door knowing that when he gets into the house, I will have a delicious reward treat waiting for him. Recently, however, all was going according to plan as he did his business and once again ran full speed for the open door. But this time something was different. About 10 feet from the door he made a sudden left turn. It was quick with no hesitation. It was immediately clear that he had seen something that was more enticing to him than his yummy treat. In this case, it was a chipmunk that he had decided had no business in his yard.

In that moment, it occurred to me that I have at times been in this same situation. I am on the correct path, but suddenly I see something more enticing than what I am currently pursuing. I see greener grass, and in that moment, my decision may not be based on the criteria that it should be but rather a sensory stimulus that most likely is at odds with my sense of values. Much like my dog, I ignored the status quo, the thing that I have established and should know is the right thing to do. And these decisions have implications for outcomes that I cannot possibly foresee whether positive or in many cases negative. I could list many examples but won’t so I can preserve my sense of self-esteem.

Today, we see examples of this all the time on an individual or corporate level. We often bemoan the degradation of our value systems as we pursue an “anything goes” mentality that we cloak in the garb of freedom. These decisions are made by individuals, families, corporations and municipalities. One side of the coin looks so shiny and contains the promise of prosperity, yet we neglect the other side of the coin which often contains outcomes we cannot and will not see for months maybe years.

I see the outcomes of poor choices daily in my work with people who have fallen into easy money activities, addiction, abuse, other criminal activity or just an argument gone too far resulting in criminal records and oftentimes incarceration. All are barriers to future success. These decisions were made without regard for these outcomes as they were heading for the reward for good behavior but veered off course and opted into the shiny thing that hit their eyes. We can only hope that the outcomes will be positive as time will tell. And if not, that we can re-establish our values, right our course and get back on track.