Choices

I've started to notice in many, many aspects of life that we get to choose our reaction to every situation. The natural reaction is the easiest way to react to a situation, but I've found that it frequently is the wrong reaction. 

With my kids, the natural reaction is to raise my voice, take something away, tell them in a few minutes, or whatever it is, but when I choose to react in a way that doesn't escalate the situation and I stay calm, I feel so much better and it avoids a negative reaction from my kids. 

When I choose to accept that the day prior was less than ideal in my quest for healthy eating, and choose to make the next day better, I don't get discouraged or derailed from my journey. Likewise, when I choose to step away from work, or stay up a little later to get my workout in, rather than let my circumstances make my decisions for me (cause there'd never be time to workout if I let my natural self choose), I get my workout in, I get the things I need done, and I feel better. 

For many, many years I've allowed my circumstances to define me, but I can choose how I want to define myself and who I am. It's incredible how free it has made me feel. 

“It is our choices, Harry, that show what we truly are, far more than our abilities.” ― J.K. Rowling, Harry Potter and the Chamber of Secrets

“We are our choices.” ― Jean-Paul Sartre