How many choices do you make in a day? I’ve tried counting it up and the number gets quite high. Let’s think about a few………

What time will I wake up? Do I hit the snooze? How will I greet the day, happy, sad, angry, disgruntled? Do I make up the bed? What’s for breakfast? Do I eat? What toothbrush? What toothpaste? Shower or bath? How do I do my hair today? Gel? Makeup? Perfume? Purse or bag? What to pack for lunch? Go out to lunch? How much cash do I need? Drive or walk or bus? Chores before work? Feed the dog now or later? Greet co-workers with a smile or a snarl? Be offended or understanding? Do my work to the best of my abilities or slack off? Call mom or pretend I didn’t get her message? Hug my husband or stay angry? What’s for dinner? Grocery shopping? Take work home? Help kids with homework? Yell at traffic? Stay up late watching tv or get a good nights rest? Eat dinner or just a bowl of ice cream? Call your sister and have a chat or just ignore the blinking light on the machine? Take 5 minutes to breathe and enjoy your life or just grit your teeth and keep moving?

A million choices everyday of our lives. Most choices are not or may not seem like they matter much. Some choices are thrust upon us through others choices or through circumstances. But no matter how big or small our choices are they affect our day, our attitude, our ability to cope and how our lives turn out.

I hear all the time, I never meant for this to happen, I never thought it would go this far, I didn’t want this, but in almost every circumstance you can trace back this horrible thing back to a choice or series of choices.

We can’t see or predict the future but if we would stop and think clearly just for a minute when making a choice we would probably save ourselves a load of trouble. Think of the marriage that falls apart, it didn’t happen this week, it started with that phone call or that text message, or that night when you worked late. Think of the extra weight you put on, it didn’t take 1 meal or 2 snacks. Think of the relationship you have with your teenager, it took years of choices to get to where you can’t have a civil word. One choice after another, one foot in front of another.

Small choices, big choices, good one’s, bad one’s, what would happen if we just stopped and took a moment to think? And then what would happen if we really listened to our heart or conscience when making a choice? Some choices are thrust upon us, most we make ourselves.

So when a choice is not yours but you end up paying the price for it, what then? I’ve had this in my life, I’ve asked the questions we all ask when we think it’s not fair and what I’ve learned is there is still a choice or two you can and have to make. First choice is, what will my attitude be in this circumstance, how will I react? I can be angry, miserable at all times, or I can be happy, learn from this and trust that it will be ok. Not easy I know, but important for your own sanity. Also important for your own sanity is choice number 2, will I forgive? Often we think that forgiveness is about the other person, we think if we forgive them we are letting them off the hook for something and we don’t want to do that. Forgiveness is all about the person forgiving! You have to be able to let go, to have peace of mind, to know that Heavenly Father will make it right. Not forgiving just destroys your life, turns you bitter and angry, ruins your life, has no effect whatsoever on the person you’re angry with. So forgive.

So remember that each and everyday we make tons of choices, some so minor we may never think of them again, some just seem minor at the time and end up imploding all over our lives. So make choices consciously, pay attention to your life. And when you have others choices thrust upon you, choose again: how will I react and will I forgive? Happiness is a choice, making good choices makes you happy!