I once asked a skilled golfer friend of mine whether he thought it was possible to make every single putt on every single green. Not whether a human being could make the putt, but whether there was one single path the ball could take on any given putt that would go into the hole.

His answer was a simple “Yes, I think there’s a possibility every single putt can go in.”

This analogy has stuck with me for a long time. I applied it to a range of decisions and problems in life — no matter the situation, there was always a “right” answer and a “wrong” answer.

I no longer think this way. The more I learn, the less I’m convinced of there being a “right” answer to anything.

There are only variables. Pros and cons. Xs and Ys. Factors and non-factors. For every decision and problem we face.

How a person weighs those variables leads to one’s ultimate decision. The decision may lead to positive consequences for that person, or it may lead to negative consequences for that person.

I also think this way of thinking leads to a more graceful way of life. Rather than assuming someone is a fool for making a certain decision, this type of thinking leads you to ask yourself “How did that person weigh the pros and cons?” or “What would cause this person to think this was an appropriate decision?”

We’re not supposed to call anyone a fool. This has helped me stop calling people fools.

Rarely is there such a thing as “right” or “wrong”.

There’s only “It depends.”