Choices

Every day is filled with choices. That realization has always resonated deeply with me. Life, in its essence, is about choosing your “hard.” Divorce is hard. Marriage is hard. Eating healthy is hard. Living with diabetes is hard. Pursuing fitness is hard. Battling disease is hard. Working diligently is hard. Struggling without a home is hard. Happiness takes effort. Depression is a burden. Yet, we have the power to choose which “hard” we embrace.

We can decide whether a difficult past will propel us forward or serve as the excuse we cling to for a stagnant, unfulfilled life. We can let abuse perpetuate more abuse or use our lack of love as a reason to withhold it from others. However, it doesn’t have to be that way. As the saying goes, “Hurt people hurt people.” But we also have the choice to break the cycle. Every single moment is an opportunity to choose differently.

I firmly believe that we are all created equal—not in circumstances, but in potential. Life presents us with countless opportunities, and what sets us apart is how we respond. The choices we make, moment by moment, day by day, year by year, define us.

I remember watching superheroes like The Hulk, Superman, and Spider-Man as a kid. They didn’t fully understand their powers at first. They struggled, made mistakes, and even doubted themselves. But they didn’t give up. They practiced, learned, and mastered their abilities. Once they did, they used their powers to create meaningful change.

Like them, we each have superpowers—our choices, potential, opportunities, and abilities. Why wouldn’t we take the time to understand and master them? Ignoring these gifts is itself a choice. If we’re going to choose, why not make decisions that lead to a fulfilling life? Socrates said it best: The unexamined life is not worth living. So choose your hard.

Start today. Dreaming is great, but holding yourself accountable to actionable steps is even greater. Ask yourself: What did I do yesterday that truly mattered? What have I done in the past month or six months that I’ll remember for the rest of my life? What am I doing today that makes a difference? What will I do tomorrow? Choices. Opportunities. Potential. It’s all on you.

The first step to creating the life you want is acknowledging that your current circumstances are the result of past choices. Accepting this truth is the foundation of self-responsibility. Only then can you begin to reshape your future.

Progress equals happiness. When you take responsibility for your actions and inactions, and recognize that every moment is filled with choices and opportunities, you unlock the potential to live the life of your dreams.

Years ago, I created a list of daily intentions. One of them was simple: every day, I would do something—no matter how small—to move closer to my dreams, wishes, and goals. My goal was to become a leader in my career. My wish was to live on the outskirts of town, surrounded by land, and build the life I imagined. My dream was to write a book and become a writer.

I repeated these intentions daily for years—reading them, speaking them aloud, even recording them to listen to when I needed a reminder. Some days I missed the routine, and that was okay. I forgave myself and kept going. Decades later, I still revisit those intentions. Why? Because they kept me focused on progress, and progress brought me happiness. Over time, I achieved those dreams, and now I’m creating new ones.

We get to create our lives. We can blame circumstances, other people, or bad luck, but the truth is this: the life you’re living now is a result of the choices you’ve made. Take a hard look in the mirror. Either accept responsibility and move forward, or pat yourself on the back like Snoop Dogg did in his speech and say, “I want to thank me for all the hard work I’ve done.”

Choose wisely. Choose progress. Choose your hard.