Choice

Choice holds the distinction of being the first in the series of articles following my introductory post on 'What makes People Tick'. The periods in life when one experiences energy , courage , grit and universe support in accomplishing whatever they set their heart on. Let me explain what i have in mind when i put Choice right on top of this list ?

Life is a sum total of all the choices we make. This is one of the most profound statements that changed the way i respond to circumstances and situations in my life. Its easier to let ourselves believe that we don't have a choice. That we are helpless in a certain situation or we don't have an option. That's a seductive thought indeed, because it protects us from the consequences and allows us an easy side lane off the main road of conscience. Think of situations like being in a job  or relationship that sucks or poor health or financial situation. Its easy and tremendously comforting to psych ourselves to believe that we really don't have a choice but to stay where we are and not be able to do anything to change our reality.

Except its a farce. The day this reality dawns ,life will turn around. Steven Covey puts this concept differently when he talks about the circle of influence in his book ' seven habits of highly effective people' . There always is a Choice..period! But choice comes with serious responsibility and requires courage and grit to see it through without the crutches of blame , regret or poor me tag. What makes people Tick and live a life by design is when they discover the power of choice. When someone chooses music over medicine as career , or quit their job to become an entrepreneur , or when a new mother decides to go back to work or even when someone decides to speak up against abuse or discrimination, in each of these cases there is an easier choice to stay put and follow the beaten track. But the moment one makes a different choice with full awareness of the responsibility that goes with it and in total acceptance of the consequences, magic happens. It becomes a crusade powered by an inner purpose and fuelled by  life giving forces that emanates from that Choice.

Knowing that you have a Choice and making it with full awareness , transforms life, jolting it back to manual mode :) Excellence begins here..