You make choices each and every day. Some decisions are conscious and others seem to happen without so much as a thought, but you are still choosing.
You choose what time you will rise or go to bed, what you are going to eat or drink, what you are going to wear, what you are going to watch or read, what you are going to do or not going to do today, what road(s) you are going to travel, etc.
Decisions are made by you during the day whether you are aware of them or not.
Did you know you also choose your thoughts? The way you are going to be or the way you will handle things is up to you. It may not always seem like you have an option on how you feel or what you think, but you do.
You CAN decide whether you will forgive or not forgive, whether you will be kind or unkind, whether you will be encouraging or discouraging, or fair or unfair, or honest or dishonest, or at peace or war with yourself, others, and life.
These choices are sometimes the most difficult ones to make and seem as though they are out of your control, but they aren't.
When things transpire in life that are less than desirable, even downright hurtful, tragic, unjust, unfair, unpleasant, or inconceivable, it can feel like there are aren't any choices available to you. There are.
At first you may be so traumatized or shocked by the event(s) that you are stricken by extreme emotions. It can be that way for quite sometime, eventually you will come to a place of choice again.
You may never forget what has happened, but you can make choices to heal, to grow, to be a better person and learn to move forward and to love and find peace and joy again.
Mahatma Gandhi said, "Be the change you want to see in the world".
Whatever it is you wish to see, be.
Within triumphs, as well as within tragedies, lie the possibility for goodness and change.
No, change is not always easy and neither are the choices you may make, but they can make a positive difference in your life, and often in the lives of others, even if you can't see that immediately.
Don't make hasty or emotionally charged decisions. In my experience doing so is not always the best one or outcome. Being spontaneous is much different then making quick or emotional choices.
Take your time when you are making decisions.
Breathe again. Stop and take things in. Validate and evaluate where are you right now. What's going on for you? What are you feeling? What do you need to do for you? What's working or not working for you anymore? What, if anything, do you need to add to or remove from your life?
Gain some clarity. When you see things clearer it makes it easier to decide what you're going to or not going to do next.
Allow your emotions to settle. Often when something occurs our emotions are running high; let your feelings calm down before making decisions. Find your center, that victorious space within you.
Look at your choices. Sometimes it seems like there aren't any options. See if you can put things in a different light or perspective because often when you do, it becomes easier to see that which you didn't see or understand before.
Weigh the pros and cons of a decision before making it.It helps when you can see the positives and negatives of the choices you are making; one side will usually outweigh the other and therefore is easier to know whether that is the best choice for you at this time.
Be an active ingredient in the choices and changes in your life.
Don't wait for someone or something to change before you do. Make a choice to do what is best for you today. Be that which you are looking for in or from another.
Old patterns, behaviours, and mind-sets that are not in your best interest can be challenging to break free from, but it is possible, and the choice is yours.
It's time to let go of what is holding you back or captive, or keeping you stuck in negative thoughts and emotions that aren't allowing you to grow and expand.
Move forward again; be at peace; live life the best you can; make choices that are helpful for you and recognize when you aren't.
The choices you make really can make a difference in your life, so choose wisely.
Use these techniques to assist you in seeing how your choices are working or not working in your life.
Kimberley Cohen is the Founder, Facilitator and Personal Insight Coach of The Insight Technique™. She is certified in Body Mind Counselling, Process Oriented Body Work and Spiritual Psychotherapy. She founded the Insight Technique™ - Your Insight to genuine Happiness, Purpose and Prosperity to assist herself and others in uncovering and discovering their brilliance. To question and understand your thinking so you can transform what blocks and limits you from living the life you desire and deserve. Or "living your dreams".