The Power to Choose
Choices and impact - this is worth the reminder.
A while ago I bought my daughter a book called, “What Should Darla Do?” In the story, Darla is met with different challenges and the reader gets to choose how she handles the challenge. It is a clever book as the reader can flip to different endings and see the outcomes of Darla’s decisions.
It also came with a cute poster with Darla (pink hair, cape and all) that says “I have the power to choose” which my daughter quickly hung up! Every time I walk in her room I notice the poster and the quote.
In a world where many people feel helpless, lost, and anxious, it is an important reminder that though there are many areas where we don’t have a choice, there are many areas where we do have a choice.
Photo by Vladislav Babienko on Unsplash
Many times we get attached to the fact that terrible things have happened or are happening, leaving us feeling stuck and powerless. We focus on what already happened (past) what might happen (future) and waste energy on what is outside.
This sucks up the space to NOTICE what part IS IN our control (a lot - dare I say the most important parts).
In other words, we are looking left when we could look right instead. Blinded by our tunnel vision, we focus on what we cannot change (leads to exhaustion and creates anxiety) instead of shifting our focus to where we do have choice (leads to empowerment).
Questions to ponder:
Why would we put all our focus on an area of life that is not within our reach and ignore or overlook an area that is in our direct control?
And…
How empowered would you feel if you ONLY focused on the decisions that are in your direct control and learn from it, as Darla does in the story?
We all have the power to choose who we spend time with, what we eat, what we watch or listen to, where we spend time, where we spend energy, and how we view life (attitude/outlook/perspectives.)
These are in your control and you have the power to choose every single day of your life where to focus on. You have the power to change a choice, learn from choices and explore your options. If you look outside you will be helpless but if you look inside you will feel empowered.
“Who looks outside dreams; who looks inside awakes.” Carl Jung
Start looking INSIDE and Get Curious:
How much time/energy/brain space do you spend on areas outside your influence?
When was the last time you said yes or no and how did that feel?
In what areas/situations DO you have the power to choose?
In what areas/situations do you NOT have the power to choose?
Feel free to share your findings with me. I read every email and appreciate the connection!