Favorite Inspiring Quotes
Choice
Commentary by Peter Shepherd

“May your choices reflect your hopes, not your fears.” ~ Nelson Mandela
We are naturally afraid of the unknown, or of forces that may overpower us, or things that may go wrong. The attitude we adopt is our choice and determines whether our thoughts, and corresponding emotions and actions, are empowering or self-defeating. Our motivation may include success, power, pleasure, possession, control and so on. But the highest motivation is love, and that light will erase the shadows of fear and take us through all the world can throw at us.
“Choice is the key, because human beings are the only creatures who can choose to evolve, who can shape their destiny. Furthermore, we have been given the gift of self-awareness, which allows us to step back into our true selves to observe and use our brains to create the world we wish to live in.” ~ Deepak Chopra
We can grow and evolve and open up... or try to remain in the same familiar territory. If that choice is ruled by fear, though, we become a shadow of our true selves and can say goodbye to an adventurous, fulfilling life.
“Our choices determine what we experience. If we are always looking at the bad in people, then we have bad interactions with people. If we beat ourselves up for 'not being good enough' then we will not have the confidence to succeed. We always have the choice to be optimistic or pessimistic. To act out of love or hate; to feel forgiveness or blame. Which do you want to experience? The choice is yours.” ~ Jennifer Wardowski
Much of the time, our choices are the path of least resistance. But we can change what we choose. We can choose to stop compromising, to believe in ourselves and our values, to move forward with our lives guided by our own truth.
“I choose... to live by choice, not by chance; to make changes, not excuses; to be motivated, not manipulated; to be useful, not used; to excel, not compete. I choose self-esteem, not self pity. I choose to listen to my inner voice, not the random opinion of others.” ~ Isabel Bauche
As Venessa Diffenbaugh said, "Your behavior is a choice; it isn't who you are."
“Life is not discovery of fate; it is continuous creation of future, through choices of thoughts and actions in the present.” ~ Sanjay Sahay
All too often we find ourselves trapped in the unhappiness and bitterness of our past, which impact in turn on the here and now. If we want to make positive changes, the first step is to choose to become what we want to be. And then act on it.

Here’s some further reading on this theme...
Freedom of Choice ~ by Harold W. Becker
When we go within we recognize our strengths and weaknesses, limitations and unlimited possibilities, and we find the love for ourselves. With this inner love for self, the outer experiences and drama begin to rapidly fall away. At any moment, it is our choice to engage this process. In the present moment, we can choose to liberate the divine angel within and experience life to the fullest. Continues...