What can you choose today?
Do you sometimes feel as if you are losing the ability to choose anything? As if you are just forced to do it and have no options.
So have we lost a lot of our choices or is it only what we have been told.
A few years ago there may have been a number of shops in your local town eg. grocery stores and you could choose which one you preferred. Different clothes shops depending on your style or taste in clothing. Various types of restaurants or food establishments. The exciting food courts where you could meet up with people and each on could choose what they want to eat and it is completely different from others at the table.
We all had a choice in what we liked or did not. Sadly places are closing and this reduces the luxury of choice for many of us. This impacts smaller towns more than the large towns and cities. You may have to travel further for choice. That option may not be available for those living rural.
Other influences affecting your choices today
Money may be an issue and some may not be able to spend as much discretionary money as before. Some may not have any kind of extra money at all. Options are limited and may be reduced to paying for heat / light or food. That is so sad and wrong.
Are you bombarded with negative news all day and night and no matter where you turn something horrific and tragic is shown? It is as if they want to scare you or make you angry about something. This may even change however the underlying narrative seems to be negative and gloom. We are expected to be in a constant state of sadness or gloom. The negative news narrative scares people into not doing things. This limits choices and restricts freedom as we feel there is no point.
Have we chosen this?
Who would choose to have this inflicted on them? Is it a choice or are things being funnelled?
There is so much in life we cannot choose or the right to choose has been removed. If we cannot change that then we still have the right to choose how we feel about things. Having a choice does not mean that we need to purchase it or spend money to have it. Enjoying the freedom of deciding things is also about what you do, how you do it and how you feel or react to situations.
What can you decide to do today?
You hear that your local bank branch is closing and the frustration sets in. Ok, time to reflect and acknowledge you have the right to be angry about it and the fact that travelling to the next town over to do any banking is tedious and time wasting.
Realising that you cannot change it as the bank is gone is the first step. However you can choose to make it work for you. Can you change banks to something that works for you? How about planning to do errands in the next town and tie in the bank along with it.
Try not to have to go to the bank alone. Ensure that other tasks are done as well. Choosing to be productive with your time and get more done. Deciding on how to make it work for you.
Work can be stressful and you dread heading into it. You can choose to fear going in and feel the negative weight on your shoulders or you can choose to focus on working to live. Going to work is necessary to earn money to live however it does not dictate life. Choose to go a different route home from work to see something else or check out a shop or cafe in that area. Plan a way out of the job. Focus on upskilling or looking around for other work. Build up your life outside of work that you can destress from it all with new hobbies or interests. These are all possible choices that you can make to improve your life and live it your way.
No it may not always work out so easy however choosing to focus on the good boosts your confidence and your energy. Who couldn’t use some of that?
Emotional choices we can make everyday
We all have emotions and feelings and are entitled to them. We all have to process various situations and experiences from happiness to grief. Sometimes all during the one day.
We may not choose to have to go through the grieving process of course but it is something we do need to work through and each of us are on our own journey through it. What works for others does not work for everyone.
Everyone seems to be going through private battles and weighed down with responsibilities. There is so much in life we cannot choose. How about focusing on the little things that we can. Choose happiness right now. Choose to go for a walk in the sunshine. Find some simple little things that make you smile. Do one small simple thing just for you today. It is not going to erase the sadness or frustration nor should it. It is just making some small moments in your day to ground yourself.
Choose to buy that fancy tea or coffee that you have heard about. Little treats for yourself or your family can make the difference in the whole atmosphere of your home and family life. Get that book that you have been thinking about. Either buy it or find it in your local library. Decide to make the time to read it and enjoy the whole process.
Putting down the device and switching off the TV is a choice. Having a family game night is a great idea. Have some fun with your family or friends and make some memories. Choose to be present with your family or catch up with some friends.
The choices we have in life
It would be easy to be dismissive and immediately say you don’t have choices that is only available for the rich. We live in the real world with few choices. That is already a choice that is made to feel negative about your own life.
There are so many choices we can make in our day. If you see an elderly person in the store that needs some help, you can choose to make the time to help them. Maybe they are just lonely and would love some human interaction. Spending even 10 minutes with them for a converstation could have made their day and even their week. It does not cost you anything other than those minutes.
Choosing to keep the door open for someone. Letting someone go ahead of you in the check out as they only have a few items. Choose to let a car pull in front of you from the side road. You are stuck in traffic so one more car in front does not matter.
That simple choice you made not only helped that other person, you may find that it boosted your mood as well. Right in that moment you were needed by someone and you did make a difference.
If you are honest being on the receiving end of such an interaction where some stranger chose to be kind to you made you stop in your tracks and think wow that was a really nice thing and you find yourself smiling at the beauty of human kindness. We could all do with promoting that.
The feeling you have when someone else has made a choice that benefits you
This does not only apply to elderly people. So many are lonely or would love some interaction.
We do have so many choices in our day
It is just up to you how you look at things. Choices do not have to be huge gestures or expensive decisions.
They can be the small simple things that are really like a boost to your mood or soul.
Deciding to call a friend you have not reached out to for a while to touch base. This can lead to so many opportunities. Waking up 10 minutes earlier than you need to to gain a few extra minutes of calm before the hectic day begins. making the time in your busy day to spend it outside in nature. Going for a walk in the park or forest. Doing some gardening or simply enjoying the rays of sunshine that warm your soul.
We can ultimately allow the negative take over our lives and think we cannot do anything anymore there are too many restrictions in place or we can believe that there are choices out there for me and it is time to focus on the options and how they affect me. The simple things in life do matter and they are important.
What will you choose today? Remain stuck in place or start to see the choices we do all still have in our life?
Inspirational quotes about everyday choices
“Pick the version of yourself you want to live as.”
“Decide who you’ll become, then act on it.”
“Select your mindset; it shapes your reality.”
“Opt for the attitude that serves your goals.”
“Make a conscious decision to embody your values.”
“Choose the path that aligns with your purpose.”
“Elect to be present, grateful, resilient – your choice, your power.”
“Take ownership: you’re the author of your identity.”
“Select courage over fear, hope over doubt.”
“Decide today what kind of person you’ll be tomorrow.”
“Choose authenticity; let your true self lead.”
“Pick optimism and watch the world shift around you.”
“Commit to growth; you have the power to be better.”
“Choose kindness – it’s a habit you can cultivate.”
“Select resilience; bounce back stronger each time.”
