Sometimes when we think about our lives it can seem like an eternity and at others an instant. Either way, more and more we are accepting the fact that we are all here for a reason, to put our own dent in the world that in some way makes a difference and positively impacts the lives of others. At times this may seem ominous and leave us thinking such things as “am I enough,” “where do I start,” or “how will I know?” And while these are all great questions to ask, maybe there is another way think about it (the meaning we are all here to make), one that seems a bit more accessible and attainable.

A few weeks back I came upon a quote by American author Richard Paul Evans who says, “The most important story we will ever write in life is our own – not with ink, but with our choices.” In his words, Evans captures just that, a simple (albeit not easy) solution to living a life of meaning and purpose, a life that matters. And in doing so, gives us something we can think about everyday, and helps us understand that the story of our life is really a collection of moments. Moments that we truly are in control of through the choices we make.

The “albeit not easy” insert is also a truth. There are so many inputs and influences on the choices and decisions we make. But no one ever said it was going to easy right? And in the end, one of the greatest gifts we have been given as human beings is our freedom and power to choose.

So in those moments when a stimulus hits us and we are faced with choosing how we will respond maybe there are a few simple things to think about. The first being regardless of what’s going on in front of us or around us, we do in fact have the freedom and power to choose. And second is who do we want to be? Who do we want to be based on the understanding that the choice we are getting ready to make will become a sentence, a page or at times even a chapter of our life.