We make decisions all day long regarding a staggering variety of things. The power of choice is an amazing thing. All too often we fail to utilize this life-shaping tool where it really counts. We sail throughout our days on autopilot. Our thoughts are out of control. We live the same routine day-in and day-out, even if we may despise it. We often want to change but truly do not believe we can...

We make decisions all day long regarding a staggering variety of things. The power of choice is an amazing thing. All too often we fail to utilize this life-shaping tool where it really counts. We sail throughout our days on autopilot. Our thoughts are out of control. We live the same routine day-in and day-out, even if we may despise it. We often want to change but truly do not believe we can. You can.

The first step in making these changes is realizing every thought is a choice. You can gain complete control over your thought patterns with a little effort. Our thoughts are at the forefront of everything that unfolds in our lives. They determine how we live our lives. They influence the things they attract into our experience.

Every thought is a choice. You determine what you think about. You determine how you think about things. Sure, sometimes certain subject matter is thrust upon us from some sort of outside event that we are wish did not happen. But, just because something that can be qualified as ‘’bad’’ happened to you, does not mean you need to view it in this way. It is not a license to stew.

You are only human and fearful thoughts, doubt and other yucky stuff are understandable, but you must realize you have the full power of choice in whether you will give in to these feelings or change perspective and think thoughts that are more empowering and conducive to your life going in a better direction. This line of thinking often angers people. They think they are entitled to experience all of these negative feelings and that they should feel bad right now. I guess technically that is true, but think how that line of thinking is serving you? Probably not very well.

When you catch yourself thinking a certain way, you must realize that it is all a matter of perspective and that you have the choice to think a different way. You may have your moments when you do not utilize this choice and you should not beat yourself up about it. But, in these moments, you need to own this behavior and tell yourself you will try to reduce it. At all times though, at least make a concerted effort to choose different thoughts. Considering the power they exert over our lives, it is certainly in your best interest to think good ones.

Kelli Cooper is a freelance writer who runs the personal development blog Life Made to Order. She is also the author of Passing on Parenthood: A Childfree Woman Speaks Out. She has a passion for personal development and sharing what she has learned in her own journey to help others improve their lives as well.