The power in choice

Living in a society that feeds on fear and other negative emotions, it can sometimes be easy to slip into a mindset of feeling powerless and hopeless that there is something we can do to change any given situation. What we need to hear more of and bring to our conscious awareness is that while we may not be able to control the conditions of what is going on in our external environment (including how others interact and respond to us)....what we can control is how we (individually) choose to respond when something happens. It is only by having an awareness of our emotional triggers that can allow us to explore these patterns, challenge how they are unhelpful to us, and eventually grow/go forward with a more grounded response. It is possible to have compassion for others (and for ourselves) without judging or allowing ourselves to become easily shifted. You can care about someone, yet also be detached enough to let go and allow them their own experience. Granted, it may not always feel easy to do....but it is entirely possible. I speak from my own experience, as well as being a close witness to this with various people I see every day.

Why do we give others so much power over our own thoughts and feelings? No one has more power over you than you. Ever hear the saying about being your own worst enemy? Perhaps we say so and so "makes me feel like" this, that, or the other because it takes away responsibility from one's own choices. But how can you expect to make changes within yourself if you keep expecting everyone else to change only/first, especially when logically speaking we all know that it's impossible to force someone to change?

Paradoxical as it may sound, taking 100% ownership of your choices increases your confidence, sense of freedom, and the possibility of a healthy, joyful life. This means creating a balance between what you choose to think and what you choose to feel. Ultimately, you can create your own heaven or your own hell right here on Earth (I'm speaking metaphorically and psychologically; this isn't about religion). You can choose to love, forgive, encourage, laugh, and embrace life. You can also choose to be angry, indignant, intolerant, critical, and fearful of things you have absolutely no control over.

So what's it gonna be? Heaven or hell?