Defining Right and Left.

Today’s Marketing Cookie is about finding balance in the choices that steer you toward success.

Defining "right" versus "left" is like trying to explain the proper way to eat an Oreo—everyone has a different take, but somehow, we all manage to make them disappear. Whether it’s a fork in the road, a political stance, or which hand you write with, "right" and "left" often stand as opposite sides of the same coin. They represent choices, directions, and even identities that help us navigate through life. Despite their opposition, they work in tandem to keep us moving forward, offering different paths to the same destination. Beyond their mirrored roles, right and left also hold unique meanings of their own, so with the help of a dictionary, I've tried to shed some light on the matter.

"Right" can refer to being correct, like finding the perfect moment to offer a comforting word when someone really needed to hear it. It can also represent taking the moral high ground, such as standing up for what is ethical or just, even when it's difficult. Then there’s the matter of entitlement, having the right to speak, act, vote, or claim something as your own. "Right" can also signify direction, as in taking the right path or making the correct choice in a pivotal moment. Additionally, "right" can indicate privilege or authority, like having the right of way, or the strength to uphold a standard, as in being someone’s “right-hand man”.

On the other hand, quite literally, "left" comes with its own set of meanings. “Left” is what remains after something has been taken away or lost, as in being "left behind." It also signals something unexpected, like "coming out of left field" when everyone else is following the usual path. In addition, "left" can represent what is no longer present, like someone "leaving" a place, or the feeling of being overlooked or forgotten. It can also symbolize something unfinished, like work "left undone," or a legacy that lingers after someone has moved on, like an impact that "left a mark."

Whether you’re a righty or lefty affects how we interact with the world, yet both hands are essential in everything we do, create, or build. At any fork in the road, right and left shape our choices, whether we’re deciding which direction to take or how to approach challenges, showing that opposing forces often work together to guide us. Politically, the "left" symbolizes progressive ideals and a push for change, while the "right" represents conservative values and the preservation of tradition. Even though the left wing and the right wing disagree, they’re still connected to the same turkey.

Your sense of direction, your values, and the impact you leave behind are all shaped by how you engage with the world around you. Both sides may have their strengths and differences, but ultimately, it’s up to you to answer the questions today's fortune asks, What is "right"? How do you define "right"? How about "left"?