I had an epiphany last week that I’d love to share with you. As I was leaving my
cardiologist’s office, my mom said, “I think it’s cool that he complimented your positive attitude.” I smiled at the memory and, with blushing cheeks, replied, “Well, my attitude is the only thing I can actually choose. I can’t choose my future. I can’t choose my circumstances. I can’t even control how my body reacts day to day. The one thing I can choose is how I respond.” Then it hit me—choosing joy is the ONLY thing I can control.
Despite what Hollywood and the media might have you believe, you’re not in control of your destiny (sorry if I popped your bubble). If we could choose our own destinies, everyone would be a billionaire. Life is unpredictable, which is what makes it so exciting! Yes, it’s tough, but so are all the best things.
As humans, we can be unique and inventive because we have free will. We aren’t robots; instead, we have the power to choose our responses. Although we can’t control the outcome, I wouldn’t want it any other way.
Choosing Joy: How Attitude Defines Us
Our attitudes help define us for better or worse. We like to think we can plan every aspect of our lives and simply “will” it into reality. If you can do that, you’d be the first, and I’d love to hear your secret! For the rest of us, we need to roll with life’s punches. My whole life has taught me that choosing joy is essential. I decided early on that if I wanted to have a happy life, I had to choose joy, and that’s what I’ve done. It’s definitely not always easy, but in the long run, it’s worth it.
Making the Choice: Smile or Cry
The next time life kicks you in the teeth, remember you have two choices:
You can smile
Or… you can cry
Choose wisely, and remember: crying dehydrates you, so it’s more work!
This post is graciously contributed by Kaleb Proctor. Kaleb is 17 and struggles with dysautonomia, a condition that causes failure of the central nervous system. Find him at fallingscalesacts918.blogspot.com and at facebook.com/DysautonomianWarrior.