“Our lives are the sum total of the choices we have made.”  - Wayne Dyer

Without going far down the path of “I wonder what would have happened if I’d done (x) instead of (y) — you know this is true. Where and what you are today is because of choices you made in the past.

Granted, some of them may not have felt like choices. Some situations may have seemed like there was only one choice - because of your obligations, or someone else’s expectations.

And at some point you’ve probably said, “I don’t have a choice.” Especially when talking about something you have to do, but don’t really want to.

Can we take just a minute to look one of those scenarios…one where you felt you had no choice?

Is that really true?

Or, is it more accurate to say that you had to make the choice you did in order to get the outcome you wanted?

For example, I had to do laundry today. (I don’t like to do laundry!)  So, did I really have to? (Is that true?) Not really. I could have chosen not to. I did laundry, because I wanted clean clothes. So, even though it seemed like a “have to”, it was really a choice I made.

I know this is a somewhat silly example, but it does make the point. We do what we do for specific reasons - not because we have no choice.

How about a little exercise in changing our perspective on what we “have to do” on a daily basis?

Take a piece of paper and write “I HAVE TO…” and list 5 things you have to do this week - and make them things that you don’t particular enjoy. (Go to the dentist, get an oil change, pay bills, etc)

Underneath that, create another heading: “I WANT TO…” and copy the same list, leaving a space after each item. In that space, write down “because…” and list your reasons for doing each of them. (I want clean teeth, I want my car to keep running well, etc.)

Hmmm…does that feel a little better?

One more step: Under that, write “I CHOOSE TO…” and copy your same list (with or without the reasons.)

Got it? You’re making choices - and you have reasons.

HINT: look at your reasons for doing things, and see if they are strong. If not, maybe you can make a different choice without dire consequences.

Just Imagine That!