The Power of Choice
By Tara Crawford Roth
I was thinking about the power of choice being the greatest freedom you have. What does this mean? You may not be in charge of what happens in your life but you are in control of your reactions and responses. You can choose your attitude and that is a very potent decision.
How would your life change if you took a moment to stop and choose your responses? What will you choose, will you be open hearted? Will you be curious? Will you be fearful? The freedom to choose is yours and there is no right or wrong. This is your life, you get to make these decisions, no one else can.
This reminds me of the movie Click with Adam Sandler (a different kind of movie for him). He plays Michael an ambitious man conflicted in his life. One fateful night he goes to Bed Bath and Beyond to buy a new remote control. Somehow, he wanders into a store section called Beyonder and meets a strange man named Morty. Morty gives him a “universal” remote control, one that has the power to literally control the universe. This remote control allows Michael to alter time and reality, fast forwarding through arguments and career stalls. Eventually, however, the remote control becomes self-programming, goes on autopilot and makes choices Michael no longer wants. In a pivotal scene, as Michael laments that this is not the life he wanted or even dreamed about, Morty runs the final credits of his life. Michael is shocked to realize he was responsible for every choice he made in his life story.
Like Michael, you are the writer, producer, director and star of a movie called Your Life. What kind of story are you writing? Is it a drama? A comedy? A tragedy? If you don't love your story- the life you are living- it is time to fire your writer.
Now is to take responsibility for your attitude and where you are right now. Breathe deeply and make a commitment to choose something that serves you better. This is about the best story ever written- YOURS! Why not pull out all the stops and make it the way you want it to be?
A new life story starts with the seemingly small step of making 1 different choice and building from there.
Here is my coaching challenge to you:
• Set an intention for yourself every morning before you get out of bed for how you want to experience your day (pleasant, fun, educational, joyful, loving). It is not important what you choose as long as you make a conscious choice. This will keep you out of default or "autopilot" mode.
• As your life unfolds around you, check in with your choice, and see how well you are holding to your intention.
• If you have veered off course, it is OK. Simply recognize it.
• Stop, breathe and ask yourself what do you have to let go off, right now, to align to the intention you choose this morning?
• Reset your intention in the moment. Honor the choice you made.
• Repeat daily and watch how your life changes.
As the saying goes; "life is not a dress rehearsal." Lights! Camera! Action!
Copyright 2008 Tara Crawford Roth
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This article was posted by Tara Crawford Roth
