“The foundation of freedom is the power to choose” Edit Eger
Life is a series of choices. Our choices determine our path and the upside is that, for the most part, those choices are ours to make. Each choice delivers us down a path and carries its own consequence, be it good or bad. Although we don’t always make the right choice, the opportunity is there for us to recognise that and make a different choice to take us down the path that is more aligned with who we are and what we want.
We make choices every day, from what we eat, wear, drink, say and more. Each choice comes with a consequence on some level and some of our choices lead us to good and some don’t! Choices and their consequence determine who we are and where we’ll end up.
“Our lives are the sum of the total choices we made” Wayne Dyer
Unfortunately life doesn’t come with a reset button! All our actions have lasting consequences (some more than others) and we can’t undo anything. Ultimately, its up to us to be aware of that and make the correct choice with the information we have at hand at any given time.
Sometimes life happens and we don’t get a choice. My diagnosis of cancer took away many of my opportunities to choose. Nobody chooses a cancer diagnosis, but the lack of choice doesn’t end there. After a diagnosis comes a treatment plan and if I chose to receive life saving treatment the details of that plan were not mine to choose. I couldn’t choose what day and time appointments were, what side effects I could handle and one’s that I couldn’t. I couldn’t choose how long the treatment went for and where I had to go. Ultimately, one of the effects of not having control over my own choices lead me to depression, isolation, insecurity, anger and frustration.
However, the one thing that we can never lose control over is our reaction to any given set of circumstances. Whilst sometimes the choices aren’t ours to make, it is absolutely under our control as to how we will react to any circumstance and whether that reaction serves us or it doesn’t.
After my cancer battler I am much more appreciative of having more control over the big and small choices in my life. I savour them because I remember what it was like to lose that option.
Fear and love can often influence the choices we make so its important to take the time to breathe and allow yourself to choose the options that best serve your path and your being; after all it’s you that has to ultimately live with the consequences!
In the end it’s not about what happens to us, it’s about what we do with it!
Nic
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“Careless or cruel, thoughtless or depraved, the choices others make affect us, maybe short-term or long-term. Sometimes causing indigestion, sometimes leaving scars and sometimes causing you to be isolated from loved ones. We labor to breathe through the fallout of what those choices mean to us, our sanity, our stability, our sense of well-being. Other people’s choices aren’t always life changing. Sometimes they’re merely annoying, mildly disturbing. We still need grace to cope with their negative effects on us.”
