“You are your choices.”

Seneca

This quote from Seneca has been in my head for much of the day. In my opinion it is a quote of extreme personal ownership in every action I take. While I may have ideas (or delusions of grandeur) of who I am, I am truly my choices. Nothing more, nothing less.

Do I wake up early or do I sleep in? Do I read a thought provoking article to ponder throughout the day or do I mindlessly stare at my phone? Do I push myself on the bike or do I coast a bit? Do I eat healthy and only what I need or do I eat as much as I’d like of food that is not nutritious? Do I focus on what truly needs to be done or am I going to complete what’s easy first? Do I make the tough decision or do I allow the decision to be made for me? Do I prep completely to perform at my best or do I waste my time on something else and half ass the other project? Do I stand up for something I believe in even if it means disagreeing with the majority or do I choose to back down? Do I stay calm or do I allow my emotions to control my actions? Do I become part of the solution or do I complain and make the problem worse? Do I remember the words of Marcus Aurelius and not allow myself to be harmed or do I take words and actions personally? Do I remember the story of the two monks and the muddy road and let something go or do I hold on to frustration well past its expiration date? Do I take action to make something happen or do I sit back and hope for something to happen?

So many little choices to be made throughout the day. Each of them simultaneous minor and trivial while also being of infinite importance as they each shape who I am.

Today I have not been the best version of myself that I am capable of. I have made many poor choices, especially as I read the list of choices above. Frustrating, of course. Also a chance to improve with each moment moving forward today and tomorrow. The choice is mine. I can choose to be the me who I know I can be. I can become that me by making the right choices.

Thanks!!!

Bonus Seneca quote 😉

True happiness is to enjoy the present, without anxious dependence upon the future, not to amuse ourselves with either hopes or fears but to rest satisfied with what we have, which is sufficient, for he that is so wants nothing. The greatest blessings of mankind are within us and within our reach. A wise man is content with his lot, whatever it may be, without wishing for what he has not.
― Seneca