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“If you want to you could find a million reasons to hate life and be angry at the world or if you want you could find a million reasons to love life and be happy.” – Cari Walsh

One of the most powerful things we possess as humans is the ability to decide or to choose. How many times have I heard people say I have no choice in the matter? Or, I have heard comments like “I have to do this or that.” “I have to go to work,” “I have to get this done” etc. etc. Let’s consider this for a moment. I tend to think we have more choices than we realize in life. What do you and I really “have to do” in life? Well, you may respond that we have to breathe and eat or we don’t live. That’s true, but technically you and I don’t have to breathe and we don’t have to eat. No one is policing us or making us do those things. Now look I realize that if we don’t do certain things the consequences are rather severe. However, when you say you “have to” it sounds like you have no choice or option in the matter. It conveys the idea there are no choice or no options. I tend to think that we do have more options and choices than we realize in life.

I am wondering how different the perspective would be if we told ourselves that “we get to” instead of “we have to”? “You get to go to work.” Seeing it as a privilege instead of an obligation changes the perspective or mindset. Think about it. Some people have no work or are disabled and can’t work. It is a lot more empowering to say “I get to go to work” than “I have to go to work.” Changing how we view choice and decisions changes everything.

If we don’t like what we are doing, then maybe we need to consider doing something else or different. Even if a situation is not of our making or beyond our control, we still get to decide how we handle or deal with it. Even our attitude is a choice. When it comes down to it, no one make you and I sad or mad unless we allow them to do so. It really comes down to a decision or choice we make.

Our ability to choose or decide is a very empowering reality. In fact, it really is the most empowering thing we possess as humans. If you don’t like what you are doing, consider making changes. If you can’t change the situation, then what can you do to make it better? What is within your control? Even choosing your attitude is a choice.

Part of living a great life is accepting the importance of your choices and that you get to make them every day! Shift out of your “have to” thinking to “get to” and move back into the drivers seat of your own life.