Dr. Jim Surrell, Journal columnist

It is very important for all of us to always recall that we live by choice, not by chance. We choose our thoughts, we choose our actions, we choose our personal habits such as exercising and choosing not to smoke. We also choose what we eat and drink, we choose our friends, and we must never forget that all our personal choices will have consequences. Our good choices will lead to good consequences, and our bad choices will lead to bad consequences. It is so important that we all recall that we live by choice, not by chance. Of course, we cannot always choose what happens to us in life, but it is very important to always remember that we can always choose how we react to it.

What each of us is today is largely the result of the choices we have all made along our life journey. Of course, what we will be tomorrow will depend solely and completely on the quality of the life choices we make from this point moving forward. None of us are a “finished product” and we are all in the continuing process of learning and growing and making choices every day.

I truly believe that one of our greatest choices that we make every day is the attitude we choose for that day. It was a profound moment and learning experience for me when I learned that I can choose my attitude each and every day. Our attitude, of course, will impact not only how we feel about ourselves, but will also dramatically impact how we interact with others, at work, at play, and perhaps most importantly, at home with our family.

As so simply and eloquently noted by Wilferd Peterson many years ago, one of our greatest individual powers is what we choose to be. We can choose to be more loving, to be more courageous, to be more joyous, to be more friendly, to be more sensitive, to be more aware, to be more forgiving, to be more tolerant, to be more humble, to be more patient, and to be more helpful to others in our lives.

I believe we all have to learn at some point that when we expect happiness to come to us from outside we are usually disappointed. The true source of happiness is not found in what is happening outside of us. The true source of individual happiness is within us. Of course, it is without question that we cannot control the outside world. We can, however, control our own thoughts and emotions. Therefore, all true happiness is ultimately an inner experience, and largely the result of the choices we make.

Let me also add that I personally believe that it is vitally important for us to choose to use each day we are given to the fullest. It is important to understand the “Power of Now” and to choose to focus on what is often referred to as “Present Moment Living”. I often recall the wisdom in this very brief but profound quote as a way to think of our day-to-day thought process: “Yesterday is dead, forget it. Tomorrow doesn’t exist. Today is here, use it.”

In summary, I truly believe it is very important that we all remember that we live by choice, and not by chance. Our good choices will lead to good consequences, and our bad choices will lead to bad consequences. I sincerely wish for all of you to have a great day making good choices today and in the future.

EDITOR’S NOTE: Dr. Jim Surrell is the author of the best-selling SOS (Stop Only Sugar) Diet book and his new Joke Book, entitled “Laughter Is Good Medicine”. Dr. Jim’s website is sosdietbook.com.