Power to Choose

The biggest gift you can give yourself is the power to choose the things that you want in life. Taking a step back and taking the time to think about the situation. Thinking about if and how you can take action to change it.

Even if you decide not to change anything - recognizing that you are the one in control of choosing it and that you know what to do if you ever do want to change things is the key to shifting the mindset from feeling stuck and acted upon into feeling free and in control of your own life.

My story: It's amazing how we take for granted and assume what "the right" thing to do is. It's generally thought of as being a good person to buy gifts for people, or to take some time and shovel the driveway for them. I know I'm backwards - but I've never appreciated these things.

I felt like I couldn't say anything or I would feel like an outcast and a total grump. I felt like I had to "be nice" and say thank you - which turned my guts into knots, because I was essentially betraying myself whenever I did that. But over the past few years, I've given myself permission to be different. To choose a different way.

I realized that I was not only unable to speak up because I was scared to be seen as different, but I was also shaming myself for being "wrong". Today, I choose to speak up - with just an offhand comment. Not rebelling, disagreeing, or being grumpy. Not diminishing the intent to be good, but enough to let them know that I'd prefer that they asked first next time. I choose to not just go with the status quo if it doesn't feel right to me.