--- title: "Quick Quiz: What Color are Your Choices?" description: Our society has embraced what author Philip Slater has coined the “toilet assumption.” This is our belief that by flushing something away, it disappears. image: https://www.beyondteal.com/hubfs/Ripple%20Splash.jpg --- [![Beyond Teal Logo](https://www.beyondteal.com/hs-fs/hubfs/images/Beyond_Teal_Logo_sRGB_300x150.png?width=300&name=Beyond_Teal_Logo_sRGB_300x150.png "Beyond Teal Logo")](https://www.beyondteal.com/) - [Home](https://www.beyondteal.com/) - [Blog: Perspectives](https://www.beyondteal.com/blog) - [What is Beyond Teal?](https://www.beyondteal.com/what-is-beyond-teal) - [About Beyond Teal](https://www.beyondteal.com/about-beyond-teal) - [Services](https://www.beyondteal.com/services) - [Bruce Peters](https://www.beyondteal.com/team-bios) - [Beyond Teal Facilitative Leadership Program Description](https://www.beyondteal.com/facilitative-leadership-in-person-program-description) - [Beyond Teal FLP Registration](https://www.beyondteal.com/flp-in-person-registration) - [Beyond Teal FLP Reviews](https://www.beyondteal.com/flp-reviews) - [Executive Leadership Guidance](https://www.beyondteal.com/executive-leadership-guidance) - [Beyond Way™ Guide](https://www.beyondteal.com/beyond-way-guide) - [Beyond Way™ Within](https://www.beyondteal.com/beyond-way-within) - [The Story of U](https://www.beyondteal.com/the-story-of-u) - [Contact Us](https://www.beyondteal.com/contact) - [Beyond Teal Resources](https://www.beyondteal.com/beyond-teal-resources) TRANSFORM Life at Work # ![](https://www.beyondteal.com/hs-fs/hubfs/Blog_Title_Graphic.png?width=470&height=93&name=Blog_Title_Graphic.png) ## [Quick Quiz: What Color are Your Choices?](https://www.beyondteal.com/blog/what-color-are-your-choices) Posted by [Bruce Peters](https://www.beyondteal.com/blog/author/bruce-peters) - [Tweet](https://twitter.com/share) ![Ripple Splash.jpg](https://www.beyondteal.com/hs-fs/hubfs/Ripple%20Splash.jpg?width=320&name=Ripple%20Splash.jpg)Before getting started … are you thirsty? Have you had enough to drink today? Go get a drink then come back. Where did you get your water? Or maybe you opted for something else … coffee, flavored water, or soda. Save your answer for later. Regardless of your drink choice, you were free to choose it.According the 2016 survey *Freedom in the World* by Freedom House, a U.S. based NGO that measures the degree of civil liberties and political rights in every nation and disputed territories, there are 86 free nations on this planet. Of course the United States is one of these. We were founded on the ideals of freedom and independence. But the idea of “free” is an interesting one. Freedom isn’t free. But the price of freedom may not be what you think it is. **The true cost of freedom is accepting the personal responsibility that comes with it.** Let’s dive into one small, watery example. **Do This!** On October 20, the *New York Times* just released an interactive quiz, [*Bottled Water or Tap: How Much Does Your Choice Matter?*](Bottled%20Water%20or%20Tap:%20How%20Much%20Does%20Your%20Choice%20Matter?) Go take it. Then come back. Go on! You need it for the rest of the post. Besides, it’s interesting and kind of fun. And even if it isn’t, do it anyways. Here’s the link again:   [http://www.nytimes.com/interactive/2016/science/bottled-water-or-tap.html](http://www.nytimes.com/interactive/2016/science/bottled-water-or-tap.html) **The Teal Dimension** Our society has embraced what Philip Slater, author of Pursuit of Loneliness, has coined the “toilet assumption.” This is our belief that by flushing something away, it disappears. It’s easy to come up with [environmental, social, and political issues.](https://www.beyondteal.com/blog/a-lonely-story-and-its-riddle) But in your business or work what examples or situations might the “toilet assumption” apply?  Are the freedoms that we are so fortunately granted, an entitlement or a gift paid for by struggles, sacrifice, and responsibility? Is freedom something you pay for, on a daily basis, with careful, thoughtful and responsible decision-making? There is an integrity gap between fulfilling your potential and making decisions driven by a sense of purpose and wholeness. Your daily actions reflect who you are, your commitments, and your priorities. Accepting this reality and acting accordingly, is the soul of Teal.   So … drink responsibly. And be grateful that you are free to do so. **Special Event!** *Join Bruce Peters!* On Dec. 1st, with featured guests, Bruce Peters is inviting the public to learn more about *Success and the Challenge of Choice, What Happens When You Get What You Want?* Where & When: Country Club of Rochester, 8 a.m. – 1 p.m. [![Click Here To Register](https://no-cache.hubspot.com/cta/default/405722/49a60e0b-ee43-400d-82a3-b846464f8da2.png)](https://cta-redirect.hubspot.com/cta/redirect/405722/49a60e0b-ee43-400d-82a3-b846464f8da2) --- Bruce Peters has spent the last 15 years living his own [“Third Act.”](https://www.beyondteal.com/blog/are-you-there-yet-advice-to-those-who-have-arrived) Based on his personal experience and in working as a guide for hundreds of leaders, he has designed a unique process for [getting beyond where you are](https://www.beyondteal.com/blog/two-game-changing-words-for-you-and-your-organization-beyond-teal) and into the creation of your own Third Act for you and your organization’s version of Teal. It starts with the question of what is the difference you want to make?  Learn more at [www.beyondteal.com](https://www.beyondteal.com/blog/405722/edit-beta/www.beyondteal.com). 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