Today I’m thinking through about how we have the power to choose. Ultimately – especially in the United States – we have the opportunity to choose from an endless amount of options for our careers, our living arrangements, the foods we eat, our physical and mental well being, our relationships, our spiritual practices, and the list goes on. We also get to choose from a list of emotional choices that can create a thriving life. Are we choosing to be grateful? Kind? Resilient? Health focused?
I think personally it’s helpful to stop and ask myself some hard questions, such as: “Why am I choosing what I have, and is there a better “yes?” (Am I investing my time in areas that align to my personal values MOST of the time? Am I choosing generosity and kindness, or to speak out unkind thoughts and emotions?) Also, “What choices have I not made but really wish I would or could change somehow and why haven’t I changed directions?” (Am I optimizing God’s purpose for my life, or for some reason, just riding out my current choices?) It seems that sometimes life feels like you got on a long train ride and for some reason, the next station looks really cool and you think you should stop, but you just stay on board, because it wasn’t your intended destination.
How do we make an adjustment if we think we need to? My personal go to is always to do whatever it is I need to in order to hear from God. This comes from leaning in… often from conversations with friends and family and reading, and many times from time in silence and removing any distractions. This is easier said than done, but we can position our hearts and minds to receive guidance.
The field of positive psychology is the scientific study of the strengths that enable individuals and communities to thrive. It’s a relatively new area of study, (The field originated in the year 2000 which I find interesting. I think I’d have considered it if it were an option circa 1986.) One fact I thought was interesting during my research is that the field focuses on “eudaimonia,” an ancient Greek term for “the good life,” and the concept for reflection on the factors that contribute the most to a well-lived and fulfilling life. What is the “good life” to you? What contributes to fulfillment in your mind? This brings forward a slightly different way to look at these insights on choice and optimization of your life.
As you think through your days, I hope it’s useful to you to consider this idea of CHOICE and the GOOD LIFE. No doubt, all sorts of good and bad come our way, but ultimately we can choose to respond in ways that support how we want to live our lives. That is a POWERFUL gift really. Make no mistake, your choices, impact all around you. If we were to all commit to cultivating the “BEST YES” for us, I believe we would only become stronger and stronger with each decision, and thus serve one another better. Anyone else love that idea?
I pray you are having a truly wonderful week.
Beautifully written – so proud of you choosing to write and help others! Love you with all my❤️